Cities for kids: a new standard for urban design
Discover this strategic inteligence note to discover many insights and good practices for city stakeholders to make public spaces safer, more accessible, and more attractive for children.
By 2050, nearly 70% of children worldwide will live in urban areas.
Source: UNICEF.In 2030, 60% of the urban population will be under 18.
Source: World Economic Forum.“If we can build a successful city for children, we will have a successful city for all people.”
Enrique Peñalosa, former mayor of Bogotá, Colombia"The designer of the new town will be the professional who has learned to interact with children, to listen to them, to understand them, to work and create with them."
Francesco Tonucci, Italian researcher in psychology and sociology
Cities for kids: a new standard for urban design
The strategic intelligence note delves “Cities for kids: a new standard for urban design” into the challenges and opportunities of integrating children into urban public spaces. Through key data and concrete examples, it highlights the importance of rethinking cities to meet the needs of younger citizens, while making urban spaces safer, more accessible, and more attractive.
Children in public spaces: a major challenge
Children make up a growing share of the urban population, with 60% of city dwellers under 18 by 2030. However, their presence in public spaces is declining, particularly in Europe and North America. This exclusion is linked to safety concerns, pollution, and unsuitable urban planning. Yet, public space planning plays a significant role in a child's development and in their integration within society.
Rethinking cities for children: concrete solutions
To make cities more welcoming for children, innovative initiatives are emerging. Cities like Oslo and Pontevedra are reducing the space allocated to cars and developing pedestrian zones. Others, like Rotterdam, promote free play and creativity with natural spaces. In France, initiatives such as "Urban 95" and the "Child-Friendly City" label demonstrate that solutions exist to integrate children into urban planning.
Extract of the note:
Extract of the note: Cities for kids: a new standard for urban design