Work

Making child-friendly cities: A quest for local agenda-setting

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Cities provide access to health, education, and economic opportunities; however, children face unique urban challenges such as pollution, traffic, and limited services. The Child-Friendly cities (CFC) framework advocates for urban planning that prioritizes children. Despite national governments' commitment to the Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), local governments are responsible for implementing urban planning actions. Guided by agenda-setting theory, we conducted surveys and in-depth interviews with local government representatives from forty cities in diverse contexts. The findings highlight key factors supporting CFC integration into local spatial agendas, recognizing urban planning as a means to advance children's rights.

Source: Cities

DOI: 10.1016/j.cities.2025.105882

Authors: Viviana A. Cordero-Vinueza, Terry van Dijk, Christian Lamker, Femke Niekerk

Institution: University of Groningen

Language: English

Topic: Children's Rights and Participation

Subfield: Sociology and Political Science

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Sustainable cities and communities, Peace, justice, and strong institutions

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,000