Children
There must be something in the water for the first time in decades in Seattle; there are suddenly many more children living in the city.
The Seattle Times
Two generations ago, most children walked to school. But the numbers have dropped significantly.
Public Square: A CNU Journal
Moving to a school with higher levels of traffic pollution could impact students' academic performance, according to new research.
CityLab
Richard Florida counters the idea that children and families are disappearing from U.S. cities.
CityLab
Using transit gives children experiences, skills, and perspectives that they won’t get riding in a car.
Apolitical
The ruling puts another stain on former EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt's legacy as it rebukes his denial of a petition to ban a pesticide that causes neurodevelopmental damage in children. Pruitt had rejected his own scientists' recommendation.
The New York Times
Strike three for the federal government in trying to dismiss a lawsuit launched by 21 children in Oregon who sued the Obama administration in 2015, claiming the government was endangering their future because of its failure to reduce climate change.
San Francisco Chronicle
It's been called a 'War on Fun.'
Vancouver Sun
Los Angeles County park planner and parent Clement Lau writes about how 'playing' and parenting has given him insight into the urban environment that he applies in his profession.
UrbDeZine
Willamette's new bike lanes make for an important link in Portland's bike infrastructure, but building unprotected bike lanes on a high-speed street carries risk.
Bike Portland
From the mid-19th century to the early 1980s, playgrounds were designed public spaces that would likely horrify parents today. Swiss urban planner Gabriela Burkhalter has studied how these public spaces have evolved over the years.
CityLab
Many families cannot afford to live in San Francisco, where housing prices are high and houses fit for families raising children are hard to come by.
San Francisco Chronicle
A home in poor physical condition can be "devastating" to a child's early development, a study of Cleveland kindergarteners found.
The Atlantic
U.S. cities leave a lot to be desired for raising a family. However, is it really a worthwhile goal to make cities family friendly? Marin Gertler, a San Diego architect ponders the question after a recent visit to New York City.
UrbDeZine
Without children at the center of activity, the urban neighborhoods of today offer little compared to the ideals expressed by Jane Jacobs, according to this strongly worded critique of contemporary urbanism.
The American Conservative
Blog post
Even when urban centers are losing families, this trend does not necessarily apply to rich areas near downtown.
Some code violation controversies must be reported by The Washington Post to be believed.
The Washington Post
Blog post
This blog post highlights resources available to help engage children and young adults in participatory planning processes.
With the national spotlight rightfully focused on the irreversible effects of lead in the drinking water of Flint, Michigan, another insidious threat remains: motor vehicle emissions affecting children's lungs.
EPA Connect
Blog post
I've gathered some of the best here, field tested by my boys who have grown up a little since I last made a list like this in 2010, to help you with your holiday shopping list.
