Out of mind, Out of sight: putting children in their place in urban planning

Abstract

There is emerging evidence that the shape of Australian cities and neighbourhoods may not be good for the health and wellbeing of our children. This has been borne out in medical and academic research as well as the observations and reflections of urban planning practitioners. Despite this recognition, the perspectives of children are rarely sought or given sufficient consideration in urban design, planning and infrastructure and service provision. It has been suggested that this omission is a function of the perceived difficulties in accessing and responding to the views of children and young people. We argue that this is exacerbated by the ‘invisibility’ of children in urban spaces and the political and performative processes that produce both urban spaces and the place of children within them. In this presentation, we advocate the possibilities for meaningful engagement with children and the ‘child within’ that actively promotes the voice of children in urban planning and legitimises their experiences of and place in the city