Building cities where childhood thrives

Originally published in Manila Bulletin

When we imagine a livable city, we often think of efficient transport, vibrant public spaces, and sustainable infrastructure. But we rarely ask a more fundamental question: Is this a city where a child can safely play, learn, and grow? For too long, cities have been designed for cars, commerce, and convenience — not for children. It's time to see cities through a different lens: the eyes of a child.

Children are excellent indicators of a city's health. If a city works for a child, chances are it works for everyone — from the elderly to people with disabilities. Children need safety, access to nature, opportunities for play, and a sense of community. These needs reflect what makes any urban space humane, inclusive, and sustainable.

Yet in many places, children are afterthoughts in urban planning. Streets are dominated by speeding traffic, sidewalks are narrow or broken, and open spaces are paved over or fenced off. Schools and homes are increasingly disconnected from green areas or social infrastructure. The result? Many children experience cities not as places of wonder, but as environments to be protected from — not to be engaged with.

A truly child-friendly city is not defined solely by playgrounds. It is a place where children can move around safely and independently. It offers walkable neighborhoods, low-speed streets, and protected bike lanes. It includes parks, trees, and nature embedded into everyday spaces. Public spaces are welcoming, inclusive, and within reach — not just for planned outings but for spontaneous exploration.

In a child-friendly city, services like schools, libraries, and clinics are located within walking or cycling distance from homes. And perhaps most importantly, children’s voices are considered in shaping the city itself. When children are asked what they want from their surroundings, they often express a clear desire for more nature, cleaner air, places to gather, and the freedom to move safely.

There are inspiring examples around the world that show what’s possible. In Bogotá, Colombia, the weekly “Ciclovía” opens streets to people rather than cars, turning them into joyful spaces for play, exercise, and community. Barcelona’s “superblocks” calm traffic within neighborhoods, reclaiming streets for pedestrians and green spaces. In Rotterdam, children participated directly in redesigning a city park, resulting in a space full of creativity and joy that works better for everyone.

These ideas are not luxuries or idealistic dreams. They are practical strategies that benefit entire populations. Child-friendly design reduces pollution, promotes physical and mental health, fosters social connection, and supports families. It helps build communities where people know one another, where children feel ownership of their environment, and where cities become more resilient to challenges like climate change and inequality.

The Covid-19 pandemic underscored this need more than ever. With schools closed and playgrounds off-limits, many children faced isolation, stress, and a lack of safe outdoor spaces. As cities rebuild, there is an urgent opportunity to center childhood in urban recovery — not as an afterthought, but as a foundation for better, more equitable cities.

This requires political will, inclusive planning, and community advocacy. Planners and policymakers must prioritize safe streets, green infrastructure, and accessible services. Families and residents must demand environments that support their children’s rights and development.

Ultimately, the way we build our cities reflects what — and who — we value. If we value childhood, we must design accordingly. A city that works for children is not only more just — it is more joyful, more livable, and more human for everyone.

Let’s build cities where children can hear birdsong, explore safely, and feel they belong.

This opinion piece is published under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0). You are free to share, adapt, and redistribute this content, provided appropriate credit is given to the author and original source.