Public Spaces from Early Childhood

According to the 2017 United Nations Population Prospects, 26% of the global population is under the age of 15 while in developing regions, where cities are growing faster, 40% of the population is under the age of 15. Notably, with the unprecedented rate of urbanization which has resulted in complex regional disparities, migration, many of the world’s children are born into or already reside in poorly performing urban conditions (UNICEF, 2018). By 2030 it is expected that 60% of all urban dwellers will be under the age of 18 (UNDESA, 2018). It has therefore become paramount to include children in decision making regarding the urban environment. Public spaces, understood from an ecological perspective as an extension of the home, play a fundamental role in children's social, emotional, and behavioral development, especially during early childhood. However, children and caregivers, particularly in informal settlements and low-income neighborhoods, have few opportunities to influence the design, management, and governance of these spaces. This disconnect often results in public spaces that do not adequately respond to their needs. As part of the collaboration between FEMSA and UN-Habitat, in relation to the ‘Public Spaces from Early-Childhood’ project and with the participation of strategic partners such as Ocupa Tu Calle and the Van Leer Foundation, the event seeks to promote the agenda of public spaces that are friendly to children and their caregivers through three thematic blocks which have the following objectives, respectively: 1) Introduce conceptual frameworks that articulate early childhood development, care, and public space; 2) discuss participatory methodologies for the evaluation, design, and implementation of public spaces; 3) present good practices and public policy approaches that enable the scaling up of inclusive interventions at the city level. A fourth and fifth block, structured as an open debate and interactive activity with the audience, will highlight diverse experiences and enrich the collective dialogue. By presenting innovative tools and concrete experiences for participatory design, implementation, and scaling up of public spaces and policies favorable to children and their caregivers at the city level, particularly at informal settlements and slums, the event aims to contribute to more inclusive and resilient urban development processes, more accessible, safe, inclusive public spaces, and better housing conditions for all.