Towards inclusive urban environments for infants and toddlers: Assessing four urban neighbourhoods in Istanbul with mothers

Abstract

One of the under-represented groups in participatory urban research is very young children (0-3 years old).Very young children from disadvantaged neighbourhoods, particularly in global cities, such as Istanbul, often have to negotiate unfriendly urban spaces in their daily routines. These routines consist of intertwined events of caregivers and children, as care duties of caregivers frame their joint daily lives. Based on questionnaires and participatory mapping with full-time mothers from Istanbul, we argue that a compact design of neighbourhoods, which merges public spaces relevant to families with young children in combined destinations, is critical towards creating inclusive urban environments.

Developing child-friendly cities: Young children’s participation in urban planning

“…For example, anxious parents may impose safety rules that restrict a child's engagement in play (Little, 2015). If parents are bored standing around in a playground without benches or other adults to talk to, then the time spent in the playground with their children will be curtailed (Kyttä, 2003;Ataol et al, 2022). Clement and Waitt (2018) emphasised that independent mobility among children under the age of four is linked to pram mobility and the presence of safe transitions and corridors in their city.…”

Evaluation of route choice for walking commutes to school and street space optimization in old urban areas of China based on a child‐friendly orientation: The case of the Wuyi Park area in Zhengzhou

“…The traffic guidance system should be simple and easy to understand, and consideration should be given to the physical dimensions of children. Safety and comfort should be equally emphasized in terms of street benches and landscaping (Ataol et al, 2022). Third, the transformation of the street space should fully consider the requirements of children's activities and healthy development.…”