Work

Youth in Placemaking: Barriers and Benefits

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Youth well-being and development are shaped by their physical environments, yet youth presence in public space is declining globally. Placemaking offers a promising strategy for re-engagement, though its benefits have been mostly studied in the Global North. This paper examines youth-led placemaking in Ecuador, Indonesia, and Colombia through interviews, focus groups, and secondary data. Findings reveal barriers related to cumbersome collaboration with other stakeholders, persisting stigma towards youth, and linguistic challenges. Nonetheless, shared benefits emerged across contexts, including increased use of space, skills development, place attachment, safety, connectedness, and youth agency.

Source: The Journal of Public Space

DOI: 10.32891/jps.v10i1.1808

Authors: Viviana A. Cordero-Vinueza, Vija Viese

Institutions: University of Groningen, Norwegian University of Science and Technology

Language: English

Topic: Youth Development and Social Support

Subfield: Safety Research

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Reduced inequalities, Sustainable cities and communities

Open Access status: diamond

Funder: Fondation Botnar