Creating Child-Friendly Living Environments in Central Cities: Vertical Living Kids

Abstract

Since the origins of Rome, Beijing, and Edo (Tokyo) 2,000 years ago, children have grown up in high-density, mixed-use central cities. However, during the nineteenth century period of rapid industrialization and urbanization in Europe and North America, growing up downtown became seen as morally and physically unhealthy and unsafe. Recently, the possibilities of child-friendly central city living have been rediscovered. This chapter reviews recent literature on the risks and possible rewards of growing up downtown, then discusses design approaches to maximize benefit and minimize harms at the unit, building, and precinct level. The chapter concludes by giving examples of child-friendly city planning by and with children, from Toronto, Vancouver, Singapore, and London.