The Urban Conga is a Brooklyn, NY-based award-winning multidisciplinary design studio founded by Ryan Swanson. Comprised of a diverse group of creatives, their focus is on sparking community interaction and social activity through open-ended play. With a passion for creating playable cities, they use play methodologies as a critical tool in their work and the participatory design process.

Their projects include multi-scaled urban interventions, playable products, workshops, lectures, development plans, and public policy recommendations. Beyond the physical spaces and experiences they create, The Urban Conga has been able to foster connections, conversations, relationships, knowledge, and equity. Their belief in the power of play drives them to bridge divides and break inequities within cities and public spaces.

They aim to generate open-ended playable opportunities for all demographics within everyday spaces, such as park benches, bus stops, and street lights. By transforming overlooked situations into inclusive, stimulating outlets for communal connection, they demonstrate how play can impact the identity, health, social, and economic value of cities and communities. Whether through permanent interventions or temporary installations, The Urban Conga is dedicated to promoting the value of inclusive, open-ended play in our everyday lives