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Child-Friendly Environments—What, How and by Whom?

Author

Listed:
  • Märit Jansson

    (Department of Landscape Architecture, Planning and Management, Swedish University of Agricutural Sciences (SLU), 234 22 Lomma, Sweden)

  • Emma Herbert

    (Department of Landscape Architecture, Planning and Management, Swedish University of Agricutural Sciences (SLU), 234 22 Lomma, Sweden)

  • Alva Zalar

    (Department of Architecture and Built Environment, Lund University, 221 00 Lund, Sweden)

  • Maria Johansson

    (Department of Architecture and Built Environment, Lund University, 221 00 Lund, Sweden)

Abstract

The socio-physical qualities of built environments are, in several ways, of imperative importance for children growing up. The Child-Friendly Cities initiative by UNICEF, an implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, has made local governments strive toward child-friendliness. The participation of children and young people is often the focus of such projects, with a potential for a far broader scope. Besides participation processes, what important socio-physical qualities make environments child-friendly, and how can they be developed? This paper presents a structured literature review of the concept of child-friendly environments, in order to address the full socio-physical spectrum. The results focus on concrete factors that have been filtered through child-friendliness and the associated frameworks, showing an inherent dependence between the social context and the physical environment. The shaping of child-friendliness hinges on the realization of environments that are safe, fair, and with accessible and variable green and open spaces. A multi-stakeholder endeavor including, e.g., planners, designers, and managers requires clearly outlined priorities. This study lays the groundwork for further exploration of how the concept of child-friendly environments can lead to positive changes, also as part of the overall strive toward sustainable development.

Suggested Citation

  • Märit Jansson & Emma Herbert & Alva Zalar & Maria Johansson, 2022. "Child-Friendly Environments—What, How and by Whom?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-26, April.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:8:p:4852-:d:796439
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    References listed on IDEAS

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