Work

Planning and Designing Public Playspaces With Children: Municipality Experiences of Implementing Children's Participation Processes

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: ABSTRACT Children have the right to share their views in community playspace planning, yet adults often struggle to implement participatory processes. This qualitative study explores the experiences of Irish municipal staff, given that Ireland has a national policy on children's participation. Data analysis identified five themes: Valuing children as citizens, planning the participation processes, building collaboration with community adults, strategies for gathering children and adults' views, and balancing needs of children, adults and municipality. Key to success was building rapport and transparent, authentic communication with community members, municipal staff, and children to achieve a shared focus on the views of children.

Source: Children & Society

DOI: 10.1111/chso.70121

Authors: Rianne Jansens, Helen Lynch, Alexandra Olofsson, Maria Prellwitz

Institutions: Luleå University of Technology, University College Cork

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: $3,620