ABSTRACT
In recent years, Norway has seen an increased focus upon and demand for youth participation in urban development. However, actual participation beyond verbal input recorded in official reports is hard to come by and often ends up as public officials being able to ‘tick the box’ for meeting their lawful requirements to listen to youth. This can easily lead to participation fatigue, making youth hesitant and reluctant towards future participation. Drawing on experiences from a Norwegian research and innovation project, this chapter combines perspectives and techniques from anthropology and architecture towards rethinking and exploring existing and potential notions and practices of youth participation in urban development processes. A particular emphasis is placed upon how methodological explorations in the intersection of architecture and anthropology can bring forth modes of inquiry that open up, encourage and facilitate the creative capacities and courage of youth expanding beyond the immediate context of participation.
