This report highlights why and how city stakeholders should start to create child-friendly urban environments. It begins by highlighting the changing urban context and sets out the five core challenges of urban childhoods. It goes on to articulate two fundamental concepts for the development of more child-friendly approaches: ‘everyday freedoms’ and ‘children’s infrastructure’. It then explores the benefits that child-friendly practices can bring, illustrated by case studies from around the world.
A coherent vision for child-friendly cities is then set out, followed by a set of key principles and specific recommendations on how to achieve this. It concludes with actions and opportunities for city stakeholders, including policy makers and city leaders, developers and investors, and built environment professionals, and considers how progress might be measured. Case studies and relevant facts throughout the report add detail and context.