The Psychological Effects Of Urban Planning On Children

"Just how much the urban planning decisions we are now taking will affect children is yet to be fully understood, but depression, criminal behaviour and even obesity were some of the possibilities canvassed yesterday at a Sydney conference on creating more child-friendly cities."

" 'Too often, the built environment works against healthy child development in terms of the design and positioning of housing, parkland and transport systems,' child welfare advocate Fiona Stanley said."

" 'We need to put children at the centre of the (planning) process if we want to make an impact in reducing problems such as behavioural issues, rising rates of juvenile crime, domestic violence, child abuse and even the obesity epidemic.' "