Children
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.
Governing magazine digs into the data about which cities American families are more likely to call home.
Governing
Low crime rates and affordable property preoccupy adults, but kids need something more: the ability to walk the streets and play out on their own. In The Guardian, Viv Groskop explores the "popsicle test" and other elements of child-friendly cities.
The Guardian
Blog post
Joel Kotkin argues that Jane Jacobs's insights are of limited value because cities are no longer useful for middle-class families.
With their reputation for decent schools, lower crime, and affordable housing, suburbs can be an attractive prospect for young families. Can cities retain that demographic? Should they?
The Washington Post
What helps make a downtown family friendly? Safe places to play, safe streets, good schools and attainable housing, writes Jennifer Hill.
Community Builders
Instead of "Bikers First!" or "Creative Class First!" James Siegel, president of Kaboom!, proposes an alternative for cities: "Kids First!"
Medium
In a post from the new Plan.Place blog, the author explores the city with a two-year-old as his guide and offers reflections on viewing the urban landscape anew--from an elevation of 34 inches and with a renewed sense of wonder.
Plan.Place
In an effort to build healthy, active public realms, many cities should considering some of the laws currently on the books that amount to shouting "get off my lawn."
GOOD Magazine
