ABSTRACT
Youth centers are environments that exist specifically for young people to access programs, support or health services, and socio-recreation activities. Public indoor environments for young people range from targeted organized program settings to large, multi-purpose sport or recreational facilities for specific age groups. This chapter focuses on center-based youth service and program environments. Purpose-built centers should include design features that young people perceive as important, such as program and youth spaces, a range of facilities, capacity for personalization, and accessibility. In planning and designing youth environments, adults' views of needs and preferences tend to be based largely on their personal experiences, their anticipated role in the setting or project, what they know of other similar facilities, and what they believe is best for young people. Youth center staff often has little funding and staff capacity to support consultation activities beyond their regular program delivery when a new facility is proposed to replace an existing center.
