Growing Up in an Urbanizing World

Growing Up in an Urbanising World summarizes the results of an eight-nation UNESCO project that explores these questions and others across a spectrum of low-income neighbourhoods in the industrialized and developing worlds. Building on the pioneering ideas of the Growing Up in Cities project of the 1970s (a four-country effort directed by the influential urban planner Kevin Lynch), Growing Up in an Urbanising World gives new emphasis to the active participation of children and youth in the planning, design, and implementation of urban improvements. It shows how principles of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, Agenda 21 of the Earth Summit, and the Habitat Agenda can be implemented at the local level in order to engage young people’s insights, energy, and creativity in shaping their cities and towns. It documents typical obstacles to participatory processes, and recommends policies and practices that will make cities more responsive to the needs of children, adolescents, and their families.

Download the handbook by clicking on the button below. Arabic and Spanish versions will be available soon.