Letting Kids Design the Cities of the Future

The Box City event held in Denver recently educated children on the process of planning by letting them create their own version of a city.

1 minute read

April 25, 2016, 6:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Future City

Fabrice Florin / Flickr

Yesenia Robles provides a dispatch from this year's Box City event in Denver, where volunteer urban planners "helped children learn about how a city is created."

Robles quotes Ken Schroeppel, co-chair of the Box City committee, to describe the value of the event and the children's approach to the activity.

According to Robles, the "Box City event is put on by different organizations throughout the country, but had not been held in Denver for a few years. This year the event was sponsored by the Denver Architectural Foundation with help from the city and the American Institute of Architects."

So what kind of a city do the youth of Denver design when given a chance? "The city that kids built Saturday included a cat shelter, a castle, skyscrapers, a sushi tower, convenience stores and a mall," writes Robles.

Saturday, April 23, 2016 in The Denver Post

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Historic homes in St. Augustine, Florida.

Florida Considers Legalizing ADUs

Current state law allows — but doesn’t require — cities to permit accessory dwelling units in single-family residential neighborhoods.

March 18, 2025 - Newsweek

Aerial view of suburban housing near Las Vegas, Nevada.

HUD Announces Plan to Build Housing on Public Lands

The agency will identify federally owned parcels appropriate for housing development and streamline the regulatory process to lease or transfer land to housing authorities and nonprofit developers.

March 17, 2025 - The Wall Street Journal

Canadian flag in foreground with blurred Canadian Parliament building in background in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

Has President Trump Met His Match?

Doug Ford, the no-nonsense premier of Canada's most populous province, Ontario, is taking on Trump where it hurts — making American energy more expensive.

March 11, 2025 - Toronto Star

Line of tents set up against a fence on a public sidewalk in San Francisco, California with bikes and personal items around.

San Francisco Announces Plan to Overhaul Homelessness Strategy

Mayor Lurie’s three-phase plan promises 1,500 new shelter beds and a restructuring of outreach teams and supportive service programs.

March 20 - ABC7 News

Close-up on door handle with door key inserted and blurred furnished room visible beyond.

$5 Billion Rental Assistance Fund Set to Run Out of Cash

“No additional funding from HUD will be forthcoming,” HUD announces.

March 20 - News From the States

Parking lots and buildings in downtown Denver, Colorado.

Denver Could Eliminate Parking Requirements

The city could remove parking mandates citywide to reduce the cost of housing construction and ease permitting for new projects.

March 20 - Strong Towns