Urban95 partnership expands in Brazil
The Brazilian city of Boa Vista is the latest urban centre to embrace the Urban95 initiative, which asks planners and architects to experience cities through a child’s eyes. Created by the Bernard van Leer Foundation, Urban95’s...Read more
Making schools cool – architecture at its best
The 10 shortlisted school designs in the running for the 2018 World Architecture Festival (WAF) award provide a true feast for the eye. Australia leads the way with three entries, while schools in Iran, Singapore, Morocco,...Read more
Implementing child-friendly policies in Latin American cities
Irene Quintáns is a force to be reckoned with. She is on a crusade helping cities across Latin America implement child-friendly policies. Aside from her passion, a key part of her success is her ability to...Read more
The city of tomorrow reconquers cities for children
‘The city of tomorrow’ is an educational project that aims to include children and adolescents in the construction process of public space (squares, neighbourhoods, cities). Equipping them with the necessary tools to develop their creativity...Read more
The reconquest of the public space
The Austrian model of the so-called “Wohnstrasse“ (residential street) – a street intended as a social meeting point as well as a counter-project to the increasing urban motorisation in the cities has been existing for...Read more
A bicycle playground for Vienna
How can we foster the autonomous mobility and cycling skills of children living in the city and promote physical activity? How can we facilitate a safe but exciting approach to cycling for urban kids? Cycling will...Read more
Helping children re-imagine the city
Getting the child’s perspective in designing our cities is a critical piece of the puzzle towards ensuring they are safe and happy places to live. That’s the view of Aminah Ricks, an urban planner, architect,...Read more
Promoting children’s ‘sense of home’ with city design
A city designed with its youngest residents in mind can ‘transform’ not only their future but its own social and economic outlook, says acclaimed urban designer Nidhi Gulati. As a non-profit professional advocating for a more...Read more
Urban planners must prioritise well-being, says WHO public health head
The cities of tomorrow must be built on strategies for energy-efficiency, clean transport and better waste management to ensure they are clean and safe for all who grow up, live and work there. That’s the passionate...Read more
A paradise for pedestrians
Dinna Louise C. Dayao is an independent journalist whose reporting on road safety issues affecting children has been supported by a grant from the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting. She shares some of her experiences...Read more
Creating child-friendly smart cities with urban redevelopment
Singapore’s government is moving towards building a ‘Smart Nation’ by delivering a host of innovations to redesign public spaces such as bus stops with child-friendly features. Public wi-fi and interactive boards are just some of the...Read more
Indonesia wants their cities to be child-friendly by 2030
The Indonesian government has pledged to do their part in establishing a child-friendly world. The central government in Indonesia is leading a coordinated effort to continue to protect the rights of children. Working with regional...Read more
South Korea: designing safer cities for children
With 32 percent fewer traffic accidents involving children, Seoul, South Korea is one example of how changing street design can improve road safety. According to a 2008 World Health Organization (WHO) report, 21 percent of all...Read more
Transforming everyday urban spaces into playgrounds
Urban Thinkscape provides children from low-income families with mental stimulation by embedding play and learning opportunities in public spaces. A group of psychologists, architects and educators are behind the project. Based in Philadelphia, Urban Thinkspace creatively...Read more