A Case for Putting Kids First

"Our nation’s future is inextricably tied to the future of kids in cities," writes James Siegel in response to a controversial series of articles in Governing and the Washington Post questioning the necessity of building kid-friendly cities. Or as, Siegel put it: "Skeptics argue that cities should focus on attracting young professionals without kids because it’s easier to meet their needs."

Siegel's response, in a nutshell: "Unfortunately, those who want to turn cities into childless playgrounds for young adults fail to distinguish between cost and value. Yes, it costs money to invest in good schools and parks, playgrounds, and other opportunities to play. But it also generates a significant return on investment — economically and civically."

As a new rallying cry to counter the more popular narratives of urban development that supports young, affluent professionals, Siegel proposes a new rallying cry: "Kids First!" He also goes on to detail some of the projects around the country living up to that model.