Sponge parks and vertical gardens – how cities are using nature to overcome extreme weather
In January 2021, Storm Christoph pummelled the United Kingdom with heavy rains and the threat of unmanageable runoff. But in flood-prone Manchester, a newly-developed park was proving its worth. West Gorton Park had ‘drunk’ the rainwater,...Read more
Canadian city asks residents to shape its ‘family-friendly’ housing plans
The Canadian city of Hamilton hopes that public feedback will be the key driver in its future plans for delivering housing that truly meets the needs of children and their families.Read more
More parks and waterways in cities could prevent premature deaths, study finds
For city dwellers, having access to green space is generally touted as a guardian of good health. Research shows that spending time in parks and urban woodlands, green streets and gardens contributes to fewer mental-health...Read more
Playing outside: who, where and what?
Fortunately, more and more attention is being paid to a play-friendly public space in both research and policy. Yet there is still little insight into very basic questions. For example, do boys play more outside than...Read more
Planning and designing child-friendly living spaces – lessons from Switzerland
A series of important ‘child-friendly living spaces’ resources aimed at professionals, produced by UNICEF Switzerland and Liechtenstein, are now available in English.Read more
Child-inspired design of new Urban 95 playgrounds in refugee shelters
The Bernard van Leer Foundation has opened three new playspaces that are incorporated within child and family-focused refugee shelters in the Brazilian city of Boa Vista.Read more
Australia putting children and young people at the heart of city design
Australian children will be given a voice in the design of cities under an innovative partnership launched by UNICEF Australia and the Bupa Foundation.Read more
Child Friendly Cities Inspire awards are celebration of global excellence
Six of the world’s most child-friendly cities have been rewarded for their innovation in a prestigious awards ceremony celebrating urban creativity for the benefit of young people.Read more
More parks and waterways in cities could prevent premature deaths, study finds
For city dwellers, having access to green space is generally touted as a guardian of good health. Research shows that spending time in parks and urban woodlands, green streets and gardens contributes to fewer mental-health...Read more
Charities give three more Beirut parks given a child-friendly makeover
Three more of Beirut’s public parks have been revitalised and made child-friendly as part of an ongoing programme led by the non-profit CatalyticAction. After the successful rehabilitation of the Karantina public park, CatalyticAction, which works for...Read moreDubai Expo 2020: Sharjah to put children at the heart of urban planning
The United Arab Emirates city of Sharjah has set a global benchmark in best practices with the launch of the Sharjah Principles for Child-Friendly Urban Planning.Read more
Global Street Design Guide now available in Turkish
Urban designers in Turkey seeking inspiration for creating more child-friendly cities can now benefit from a newly-translated version of the acclaimed Global Street Design Guide.Read more
Leadership programme helps local leaders ‘reimagine’ cities for children
How can cities be ‘reimagined’ for the needs of children? That’s the aim of the Urban95 Academy, a new municipal leadership programme from LSE Cities and the Bernard van Leer Foundation.Read more
How to design a public play space where kids practice reading and STEM skills
A park bench can be so much more than just a place to sit and wait. Perhaps it has a puzzle built into it, or weights that allow children to make measurements.Read more