Chris Bruntlett draws on precedents from across North America to illustrate simple ways that our cities can better serve, entertain, and nurture children.
“For far too long, many people have considered family life and urban life as being mutually exclusive,” writes Chris Bruntlett. “That trend is slowly reversing, as more and more parents choose to raise their kids in urban areas. However, city builders often fail to consider their smallest, most vulnerable users.”
Bruntlett uses examples from 12 cities across north to illustrate some simple but all-too rarely seen planning and design treatments that can make cities more fun, safe and stimulating for younger (and younger at heart) city-dwellers. Ideas Include:
- Streets as playgrounds
- Playful and plentiful crosswalks
- Activating alleyways, and
- Shared musical instruments
FULL STORY: 12 ways to make cities more child-friendly

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Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
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Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie