Child-Friendly Places

Place matters for children’s health and well-being. The local neighbourhood is particularly important for young children’s health and well-being, as they spend  most of their time in their local neighbourhood. The environment children grown up in also shapes their habits and behaviours, and has an impact on their choices throughout their life. Successful places give children a sense of belonging, a sense of identity and a sense of community. Supportive places enable children to walk or cycle to school, play outdoors, mix with people of different ages and incomes, and observe nature.

Not all children enjoy equal access to a good quality environment. There is a clear link between place, health inequalities and health outcomes. Poor quality surroundings can have a negative impact on children’s health. Place, if properly designed and managed, is an asset which can create the conditions for children’s health to flourish.

Designing Places for Children and Young People – Guidelines for Child Centred Planning, Design and Stewardship for the Built Environment in Northern Ireland

Good and inclusive places not only improve health and wellbeing and boost economic activity but they make our children and young people visible and recognise their role as active participants in the lives of our towns and cities. It is therefore important to design our places in such a way that ensures our built environment takes into account the needs of all people recognising that different age groups may have different requirements. Child’s rights compliant design guidelines can help to create functional and enjoyable places that cater for all people’s needs.