What Kids Need in a Community

A study commissioned by Canada's federal housing agency, the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, reveals that children's behaviour can be influenced by a number of physical features in their homes and neighbourhoods. Factors that researchers examined include the presence of exposed wiring, cracks, clutter and water damage as well as whether there is designated play space located nearby and whether the neighbourhood is safe. The study recommends that most amenities used by children be located within walking distance, stating that children should be driven to school only in extreme circumstances. It also lends support to the development of compact, mixed-use communities and the use of various traffic-calming techniques.