In November 2019, the Royal Town Planning Institute published research report ‘Child Friendly Planning in the UK: A Review’. Co-authored by A Place in Childhood and ZCD Architects, the report examines what children’s rights mean for town planning systems. It also reviews the extent to which national planning law and policy in each UK nation takes account of children’s needs.

Such analysis was needed as children are frequently excluded or marginalised in public space in the UK, and this denies them certain rights enshrined in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). In particular, a child’s right to be heard in matters that affect them (Article 12), the right to gather and use public space (Article 15), and the right to play, rest, leisure and access cultural life (Article 31).

To discuss these topics further, in November 2020 The RTPI South East Scotland Chapter convened an event on child-friendly planning. It brought together our Dr Jenny Wood (co-author of Child Friendly Planning in the UK) and Erin Fulton (volunteer and Interns Manager, PAS) to explore how children view the world; reflect on emerging policy and practice that will embed children’s rights in planning; and provide practical examples on how to engage with children and young people.

You can watch both presentations below: