Growing up in an Urbanising World

‘(…) In total, the book gives an excellent set of in-depth snapshots of the lives of children and how they are affected by architecture, cities and urbanisation, never trying to overgeneralise, yet always respecting the diversity of settings in which children live and the diversity of children's spatial practices and experience. The book includes an appendix of research guidelines for use in other cities, and a set of conclusions toward creating better cities for our next generation of children and youth.’

Gary T. Moore, Architectural Science Review

‘Part of the UNESCO Growing Up in Cities project, this book describes and analyses the relationship of children and young people and their urban surroundings in eight countries: Argentina, Australia, Norway, Poland, south Africa, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Focusing on low-income neighbourhoods, it highlights common barriers to participatory processes and recommends policies and practices that will make cities more responsive to the needs of children and adolescents. It demonstrates how principles of the Convention of the Rights of the Child, Agenda 21 and the Habitat Agenda can be implemented at a local level to engage children and young people in shaping their cities and towns.’

Play Today magazine

‘(…) Researchers and/or educators with a specialism in this field - or indeed the participatory and inclusive design fields in general - will find this is an essential text. The book’s references are very useful and include well-known classics of the area. The book should also be useful and inspiring for practitioners who already work with or who are looking to work with young people in a built environment context. For teaching and learning purposes the book would be a valuable library addition for urban, architectural and landscape design as well as town planning. This text provides more support for those people working and campaigning to reduce the adult world’s long-held discrimination against young people in the design of the built environment. Along with its companion text, Creating Better Cities with Children and Youth this volume provides both ammunition for why and also practical guidance on how to carry out similar action research which might ultimately influence policy.’