Co-designing neighbourhoods for children and young people’s play: learning from experience in a UNICEF child-friendly city

Khan, Matluba ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5546-1870, Smith, Tom ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7221-1868, Harris, Neil ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4087-1698, Nekeb, Shoruk and Yaratgan, Dilara 2025. Co-designing neighbourhoods for children and young people’s play: learning from experience in a UNICEF child-friendly city. Children, Youth and Environments 35 (2) , pp. 147-171. Item availability restricted.

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Abstract

Research highlights significant gaps in the active engagement of children in placemaking, planning, design and governance activities at the neighborhood scale. Our study critically addresses these gaps through neighborhood-scale engagement with children aged 8 to 17 in Cardiff, Wales, a recently designated UNICEF child-friendly city. Participants' activities included co-assessing neighborhoods and co-designing plans to enhance play, playful activities, and play spaces. Thematic analysis of qualitative data gathered through working with around 400 children in two Cardiff communities reveals the limitations of designated playgrounds and how participants embrace a broader definition of play, seeking social, adventurous, inclusive and accessible play opportunities across their neighborhoods. The findings also highlight unequal access to diverse play opportunities in different areas, calling for a place-based approach to understanding play experiences and action to address the unequal micro-geographies of play.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Published Online
Status:	Published
Schools:	Schools > Geography and Planning (GEOPL)
Publisher:	University of Cincinnati
ISSN:	1546-2250
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	30 June 2025
Date of Acceptance:	23 June 2025
Last Modified:	07 Oct 2025 13:15
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/179392

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