Lessons in Child-Friendly Cities From Europe

In a piece published in Streetsblog USA, Emily Stutts highlights three of the best lessons she drew from a learning tour of Munich and Rotterdam, European cities that have made a conscious effort to make streets safe, comfortable, and welcoming for children and families and in doing so, have made the public realm better for everyone.

For example, spaces like parklets can spur permanent change. “While a parklet might start as a one-day project — perhaps for international Park(ing) Day — these placemaking powerhouses can easily become a permanent or semi-permanent fixture of your school community.” 

Open streets, like parklets, offer places where children and families can meet and play safely. For Stutts, “Play is a universal language for connection and happiness, if only we create the space to do so.”

Stutts points out that in the Netherlands, cities have a friendly competition to see who can create the most green spaces on their urban streets. “This same solution could be implemented in school parking lots, driveways, or along side-streets near schools in the U.S., too.”

Stutts believes that “by experimenting with our streets and parking lots, we are allowing ourselves and our students to dream and imagine the kind of world they want to live in.” Starting with schools can spark ideas for broader change across neighborhoods and cities. “The infrastructure supports kids’ independence, safety, playfulness, and joy — while also supporting citizens of all other age groups, too!”