Heeringa, Yildiz (2023) Urban Planning Strategies for Promoting Child-Friendly Cities – An Analysis of the 10-Minute City Concept in Utrecht. Master thesis.
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Abstract
In 2050, 70% of the world’s children are expected to live in cities. However, many cities are designed without children’s needs and desires considered, emphasizing the importance of creating child-friendly cities. One planning strategy that can potentially increase a city’s child- friendliness is the 10-Minute City, a strategy embraced by the city of Utrecht. Hence, by combining a literature review, document and media analysis, field visits, and semi-structured interviews, this research investigates Utrecht’s current performances in child-friendliness and the potential effects of the 10-Minute City on children in Utrecht. The literature shows that children’s independent mobility and environmental affordances contribute to developing a child-friendly city. The 10-Minute City encompasses two main elements that can boost this development: increasing access to amenities and promoting active mobility. Respondents assume that Utrecht has sufficient amenities for children, with especially mixed-function playgrounds being successful. However, a weakness is the removal of playgrounds or play equipment due to complaints of concerned parents or nuisance complaints. To address these issues, the 10-Minute City can support the enhancement of mixed-function playgrounds, open schoolyards after school hours, raise awareness of amenities, and create additional amenities for youth to prevent them from hanging around at playgrounds. However, this may intensify the pressure on public spaces, potentially reducing green areas. Furthermore, active mobility can theoretically increase road safety and foster social interactions between residents, possibly leading to more trust and tolerance, and reducing nuisance complaints. Nevertheless, experts caution that promoting active mobility can lead to chaotic and unsafe travel situations for children. Further research could include children’s experiences and neighborhood-specific strengths and weaknesses regarding child-friendliness.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Master) |
|---|---|
| Degree programme: | Society, Sustainability and Planning (MSc Socio-spatial Planning) |
| Supervisor: | Rauws, W.S. |
| Date Deposited: | 25 Aug 2023 11:25 |
| Last Modified: | 25 Aug 2023 11:25 |
| URI: | https://frw.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/4331 |
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