ABSTRACT
This chapter summarizes some of the persistent and relevant themes in research on children in city environments. It explores some of the stumbling blocks in the process of designing cities with and for children. Children and young people need champions in all social processes, including urban design and planning to ensure that the nature of their needs is met or even considered. The chapter discusses the most persistent themes that have emerged in the start of the twenty first century and earlier in research on children's urban experience. In 2009, the NSW Commission for Children and Young People and the Australian Research Association for Children and Youth (ARACY) held a think tank on the Australian experience of participatory research with children and young people. As part of the day-long discussion, the group identified four major points of action: build capacity of children; build understanding and knowledge of gatekeepers; build knowledge and capacity of researchers; and increase the influence of research.
