Urbanism and Kids

Scott Doyon, a parent and an urbanist, argues that the suburban model isn't doing kids any favors. But, he says, designing urban areas that are kid-friendly is still a challenge.

1 minute read

June 25, 2011, 5:00 AM PDT

By Hazel Borys

Doyon writes:

"These are folks who realize that, for a child, having increasing opportunities to navigate the world around them, explore, invent, fall down, scrape knees, make decisions, screw up, get into - and solve - conflicts and, ultimately, achieve a sense of personal identity and self-sufficiency is a good thing. The right thing."

Doyon talks about Vancouver, a city that worked hard to be family-friendly but still has managed to not attract families in significant numbers to the city center:

"Talk of how it takes a village to raise a child sounds - and feels - good but, to make it work, you need a village to start with. Which means you need politicos willing to allow it, and developers willing to build it.'

Thanks to Hazel Borys

FULL STORY: Smart Growth = Smart Parenting

Friday, June 24, 2011 in PlaceShakers

Land Use North America Smart Growth New Urbanism Vancouver Larry Beasley New Partners for Smart Growth The Waters Free-Range Kids Lenore Skenazy Mike Lanza Playborhood View More

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