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Home » What We Do » Livable Cities » Making the Cities Livable for Children
Making the Cities Livable for Children
Introduction
India is home to the largest child population in the world -
To address this gap, this two-
Phase 2 will be to implement activities based on the research results of the study report completed in both Bangalore and Nagpur.
Objectives
The overall goal of the programme is to improve the quality of life for children in urban areas.
Its specific objectives are to:
- To study the existing policies related to urban planning, design, management, their impact on children.
- To identify structures and evaluate the performance dimensions (vitality, sense, fit, access & control) of the city of Bangalore.
- To improve public and political understanding about the existing situation for children in Bangalore.
- To generate political support for the application of successful and replicable models of a “Livable City for Children” in Bangalore.
Project Results
Key results identified in the study made it clear that the cities of Nagpur and Bangalore record average standards of available space and infrastructure for child developmental activities. In Bangalore, this is particularly a problem in the newly amalgamated areas of the city. Not all of the housing societies in city have open space, playground or garden areas for the recreational activities of the children. In those areas that do have playgrounds or gardens the spaces are not properly maintained to use for any recreational purpose. The city is also lacking activities and infrastructure that would support girls playing. Girls do not have a proper place to hang out in the evening or to play games. Most of the available grounds are meant for boys in the city. Specific findings include:
Recommendations
As a result of this study, the objectives for phase 2 include:
- Increasing the number of safe, accessible, and fun places for children to play, which will Increase the number of children playing, especially girls, increase physical activity in children, and decrease pedestrian and vehicle collusions involving children;
- Increasing the number of safe pedestrian only areas, which will increase the number of people using public spaces, decrease pedestrian injuries, increase physical activity, and create increased economic opportunities and community cohesion;
- Increase the number of organizations working on children’s urban health issues, which will increase the number of policies and programmes for children.
Related Links
For more information on Livable Cities: www.ecocitybuilders.org
World Carfree Network: www.worldcarfree.net
Project profile
Key Partners: Evangelical Social Action Forum
Location: India
Donor: HealthBridge
Duration: 2009-
Reports and Resources
Nagpur:
- In Nagpur very few housing societies have proper recreational facilities for children.
- Open grounds or spaces are the only place to play
- Recreational activities such as activity clubs are only accessible to the higher upper class
- Forty seven percent of parents report that there are no recreational facilities in their community.
- Girls are not encouraged to play outdoors as it is not considered safe.
- Sixteen percent children play for less than an hour a day, 11% children do not play every day and 3% children do not play at all.
- Thirty-
three percent of children play on the streets. - 1% children play in gardens.
- Not all housing societies have playgrounds or gardens nearby and the children are left with no other option rather than playing on street.
- Majority of the parent’s view that parks, gardens and playgrounds makes the city more livable for children.
- Majority (23%) of the parents comment that Nagpur should have more children’s parks and play ground in all the localities whereas 16% of them said that children clubs such as sports and other clubs should be encouraged in all the housing communities.
- Parents of differently abled children feel the need of having a park exclusively for children with disabilities.
Bangalore:
- Majority of the children stay close to school, which suggests that walking or cycling to school is a possible option. However, safety deters them to do so.
- Children are concerned about safety due to heavy traffic and no/less law enforcement in the school premises.
- Most widely used mode of transportation is public transport system.
- Less frequency and overcrowding make the public transport system unfavorable mode of transportation.
- Traffic and pollution is the major challenges faced by the children while travelling.
- Parks are the most favorite hangout places for children.
- Bangalore City is not friendly for the differently able.
- Human resources at various levels play a significant role in creating child friendly city.
- The stakeholders’ vision was for a clean and safe Bangalore city with more greenery and open space and desire to get back the past glory of the city.