Call for more city parks to improve children’s lungs
More must be done to ensure children have access to parks and other green spaces to improve their lung health, a new study suggests. Researchers examined more than 3,000 city-dwelling children and found that those who...Read more
The child in the city (1978): An extensive summary
In 1978 Colin Ward wrote the widely read and much quoted book ‘The Child in the City’. The book is an attempt to explore the relationship between children and their urban environment. It asks whether...Read more
The benefits for children of living near woodland could influence urban policymaking – study
An analysis of children and young people’s proximity to woodlands has shown links with better cognitive development and a lower risk of emotional and behavioural problems – and the lessons learned could help influence planning...Read more
How can greener schoolyards can help cities – and the world – get back to nature?
Making schoolyards greener can play an increasingly essential role in contributing to the ‘re-naturing’ of cities and, in turn, climate resilience across the world.Read more
Why the outdoors should be an integral part of every early learning and childcare programme
Bilateral negotiations are underway to move the historic federal commitment to a Canada-wide early learning and child-care system from vision to reality. Expanding access for all young children in Canada will require creating and licensing...Read more
Youngsters help shape San Francisco’s newest nature park
US-based play inequalities champion KABOOM! has used the input of local youngsters to create a nature exploration area in San Francisco. Read more
Milan children’s garden honours Italy’s UN children’s commitment
Milan has unveiled a dedicated play space for children in the middle of the city to mark the 30th anniversary of Italy’s endorsement of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.Read more
‘Coronavirus should inspire us to rewild cities to better support our children’
Coronavirus lockdowns have taught us the importance of having wild areas for children. We should build on this and create a comprehensive strategy to rewild our cities, says architect Cristina Monteiro.Read more
Living with Beauty: reconnecting city children with nature
The introduction of orchards in cities and urban areas can ‘reconnect children with nature’, a UK government review has said. Two million trees could be planted on the streets of the nation’s towns and cities, under...Read more
‘I need nature, I need space’: high-rise families rely on child-friendly neighbourhoods
Children’s living environments in Australian capital cities have changed significantly in the past ten years. This is particularly the case for the growing numbers of families raising children in private, inner-city, high-rise housing. Our study...Read more
If in doubt, let them out – children have the right to play
New research from Statistics Canada’s Canadian Health Measures Survey reaffirmed the dramatic decline in Canadian children’s fitness seen over the past 35 years — with only one-third of Canadian school-aged children meeting physical activity guidelines. Other...Read more
Meet Annika Skoglund keynote speaker at CiTC Antwerp seminar
It is with great pleasure that we will welcome Annika Skoglund as one of our keynote speakers at next month’s Child in the City International Seminar. She is an Associate Professor at Uppsala University, Sweden...Read more
How nature can help promote higher use of play environments
By integrating the living landscape with the built environment, studies show that children reach a higher range of active behaviors, a greater diversity of play opportunities is offered, and the experience becomes more enriching for...Read more
Children in green urban spaces ‘perform better academically’
Children who grow up near urban green spaces are likely to perform better academically, according to a new report. Green space has a ‘positive role in cognitive functioning’, of which spatial working memory is strongly related...Read more