ABSTRACT
The streets, a fundamental component of the public space network, accommodate a growing number and diversity of motor vehicles, making space sharing and the risk of traffic accidents increasingly pressing issues. In suburban areas and central neighborhoods, traffic and parking literally occupy the streets, making them harder to use by children on foot or on bicycle, much less for non-transport purposes, such as playing. Why are child- and youth-friendly streets so important? How can streets become more inclusive places? This chapter makes a plea for taking children, youth, and their activities into account in the design and development of street networks. It puts forward traffic calming as a useful tool for making streets safer and more versatile, and supportive of social interaction. Furthermore, this chapter highlights the legitimate presence of the children and youth in the streets and the importance of their insightful participation in urban planning and design process.
