Cities4Children Blog

This is our platform for sharing insights, ideas for actions, conversations and innovations that make cities better for children and young people.

Ask an Expert: Sudeshna Chatterjee – “We need to invest in inclusive planning processes before jumping to solutions”

Ask an Expert Sudeshna Chatterjee Inclusive Urban Planning

In our latest from our Ask an Expert series, we speak with Sudeshna Chatterjee, a globally recognised urban practitioner and researcher about what it takes to enable inclusive, resilient and child-sensitive urbanisation in low-and middle-income countries. Can you describe your journey into children’s environments? I grew up in Kolkata in India, in a neighbourhood with Read more →

Conversations: Open Streets for people

Open Streets Ciclovia Bogota Blog Conversations about Cities

What are Open Streets? Why are they important for children, vulnerable groups and cities? What are the key ingredients that make Open Streets successful in cities? On 19 April 2022, Gil Peñalosa hosted an online webinar called Open Streets/Ciclovías: Meeting as Equals – Public Health Benefits where he and Dr. Olga L. Sarmiento addressed some Read more →

No time to lose: how youth in informal settlements in Bangladesh and Kenya are enabling local action on climate adaptation

Planting flowers in the Pocket Park. Credit: Hope Raisers Youth

A recent landmark global survey of young people (aged 16–25) revealed widespread anxiety, anger and frustration over the looming catastrophe of climate change and the longstanding failures of governments to take meaningful action. In the Bay of Bengal and the Greater Horn of Africa, where the impacts of climate change are intensifying, young people are Read more →

Where to find us at this year’s World Urban Forum 2022?

Cities4Children at World Urban Forum blog Events

The World Urban Forum (WUF) was established in 2001 by the United Nations to examine one of the most pressing challenges facing the world today: rapid urbanisation and its impact on communities, cities, economies, climate change and policies. The WUF is now is one of the world’s most important conferences on cities in the world. Read more →

Three projects to promote cycling in cities

Transport

Swapping the car for a bike can work wonders for children and their caregivers, by making the city safer, more accessible and reducing emissions. Making our cities more cycle-able for children means making them more accessible for everyone.  The World Health Organization estimates that well over two-thirds of adolescents aren’t active enough, and believe a Read more →

What do child-friendly neighbourhoods look and feel like?

Urban Planning

My last blog made the case for child-friendly urban planning as a catalyst for healthier, more sustainable cities. It set out a two-dimensional framework highlighting the role of mobility on the one hand, and a wide choice of things to do (crucially including places to play) on the other. This blog looks in more detail Read more →

How can we make urban mobility more child friendly?

Transport

An EU project has operated around different European neighbourhoods in an attempt to improve mobility, specifically for children and those with reduced or different mobility needs. Here, Mobilissimus, in Hungary shares more information about the project, and in particular the changes that have taken place in Budapest. What is the EU-funded SUNRISE (Sustainable Urban Neighbourhoods Research Read more →

Ideas4Action: Why co-producing knowledge is critical to improve the lives of children in informal settlements

Participation

Understanding the demographics and characteristics of an informal settlement is critical. Gaining accurate information is important to support children in informal settlements, as when we understand the problems then it’s easier to find solutions. A key issue is that residents in informal settlements are often missing from census data and other official or formal surveys.  Read more →

Conversations: Does the 15-minute city work for children and caregivers?

Conversations about Cities

ITDP’s new report, 15-Minute-Neighbourhoods: Access and Babies, Toddlers and Their Caregivers, has been released, and this webinar discussed how this can contribute to urban wellbeing. The conversation was moderated by Ankita Chakra, Knowledge for Policy Director at the Bernard van Leer Foundation. The panelists included Aimee Gaulthier, Chief Knowledge Officer at ITDP, Iwona Alfred, Program Read more →

Recognize the frontline workers supporting street children

Street Children

On this year’s International Day for Street Children, we’re celebrating frontline workers and reminding the world about the vital role they play. Street child – what do those words evoke?  Does it stir mental images of material need: a child desperate for shelter, better clothing, more regular meals, medicines, or to go to school?    Read more →