Aipedia: Landscape architects

AI in play space and public realm design

Aipedia, by the Apex broking team · Last reviewed 2026-10-30

AI concept tools can inspire play spaces and public squares, but a design that injures someone or excludes disabled users is the designer's responsibility, not the tool's. Public realm work affects many people, so harm can lead to multiple claims.

Part of: AI in Landscape architects

In short

Generative AI images and layout tools produce striking concepts for playgrounds, squares and streetscapes. They rarely account for fall heights, impact-absorbing surfaces, trip hazards, slip resistance, sightlines, gradients or level access. Under LI Rule 6 the designer must be competent to check safety and accessibility, and R11g(e) to (f) require truthful promotion of concepts. If a design causes injury, the injured person usually claims against the owner or operator, who may then claim against the designer. Whether PI or public liability responds depends on how the harm arose and the wordings.

How AI is used in play and public realm design

Landscape architects use AI to generate concept imagery for consultations, to explore themed play landscapes, to test layouts for squares and street furniture, and to produce materials palettes. Councils and developers may expect a range of visual options early, and AI can make that cheap. Concepts can then drift into detailed design with features that looked appealing in the image but were never tested for safety. Under LI TGN 06/19 (1.2.3), such images are illustrative, not technical visualisations; the visual side is covered in AI visualisations and TGN 06/19.

The duties that apply

Under the LI Code of Practice, the main duties for AI-assisted public spaces are:

Rule 6 and R6g: competence in play safety, surfacing and accessible design, or advice from someone who has it;
R11g(a): honesty and transparency, including telling clients when an image is a concept that has not been checked;
R11g(e) to (f): truthful promotion, so consultation imagery should not promise features the budget or safety standards rule out;
R4g(c): a written agreement clarifying who carries out safety inspections and whether equipment selection is in scope.

Play equipment and surfacing are subject to recognised safety standards, and public spaces to accessibility duties. AI tools do not apply them unless the designer does.

What can go wrong

The hazards that unchecked AI concepts can carry into built schemes include:

raised decks, mounds and climbing features without adequate fall zones or impact-absorbing surfaces;
hard or decorative materials in play areas that are unsafe for falls;
level changes, edges and water features in squares without guarding or visual contrast;
surfaces that become slippery when wet, or joint widths that catch wheels and canes;
routes that are too steep or lack level access, excluding wheelchair users and people with buggies;
toxic or thorny planting beside play equipment.

Illustrative scenario. A practice wins a park refurbishment with AI-generated imagery of a sculptural play landscape. The detailed design keeps a steep mound with a hard resin-bound surface shown in the concept. A child falls and is seriously injured. The family claims against the council, which claims a contribution from the practice, alleging the design ignored fall height and surfacing requirements.

PI or public liability?

Injury claims are where the line between policies matters. Public liability typically covers injury or property damage caused by the business's own activities, such as staff on site. PI typically covers claims arising from negligent professional advice or design. An injury caused by a negligent design is often a PI matter, but some PI wordings exclude or limit bodily injury cover and expect it to sit under public liability, so the two policies need to fit together. Practices that also build what they design face further overlaps; see landscape design and build insurance and PI versus public liability. In every case, cover depends on the wordings.

Practical controls

Before an AI concept moves into detailed design, practices can apply these checks:

mark concept images as unchecked for safety and accessibility;
review every play feature against current play safety standards with a competent person;
check gradients, edges, contrast and level access in public realm layouts;
specify surfaces for wet-weather slip resistance and fall protection where needed;
screen planting near play for toxicity and thorns;
record safety decisions and the client's instructions in writing.

Truthful promotion of concepts is covered in AI images in competitions and marketing, and clauses for surfacing in AI specifications.

How Apex helps

Apex arranges PI and public liability for landscape architects and design and build landscape firms. A broker can check that the two policies fit together for injury claims arising from design. See PI and AI errors and the AI in landscape architecture overview.

Sources

Frequently asked

Who is liable if someone is injured in a playground I designed with AI?

The injured person usually claims against the owner or operator, who may then claim against the designer if the design was negligent. The designer remains responsible for the design whatever tools were used, because LI Rule 6 requires competence to deliver the service.

Does PI or public liability cover injuries caused by my design?

It depends on the wordings. Injury caused by negligent design is often a PI matter, but some PI policies exclude or limit bodily injury and expect public liability to respond. Injury caused by your activities on site is usually a public liability matter. A broker can check how your policies fit.

Can I show AI concept images at public consultation?

Yes, if they are honest about what they represent. LI R11g(e) to (f) require truthful promotion, and images showing features the budget or safety standards rule out can create expectations and complaints. Label concepts clearly and avoid presenting them as the final design.

Check your PI covers how you use AI

Tell us about your firm and the work you do. A broker will review how your current PI treats AI-assisted work, or arrange new cover. No fee for a quote. Or call 0117 325 0027.

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Apex Insurance Brokers Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered in England and Wales, company number 07014570. This page is general information about how AI is used in the profession and how insurance may respond. It is not legal, regulatory or insurance advice on your circumstances, and it does not guarantee that cover will be available or on what terms.