When communities and local governments work together to create an urban landscape that caters to the needs of children, the result can be a safer environment for the younger generation and a more successful and thriving city overall. Many cities across the country have adopted elements of UNICEF’s Child Friendly City initiative, which promotes building sustainable cities and environments committed to honoring children’s rights. This includes having plenty of green space for plants and animals, providing opportunities to participate in cultural and social events, and supporting health care and educational institutions. These are a few reasons why child-friendly cities are successful cities.

1. CHILD-FRIENDLY CITIES
Why
ARE SUCCESSFUL CITIES
BY BENNAT BERGER

2. that caters to the needs of children
creates a safer environment for the
younger generation and a more
successful and thriving city overall.
AN URBAN
LANDSCAPE

3. UNICEF’S CHILD-FRIENDLY CITY INITIATIVE
Many cities across the country have
adopted elements of UNICEF’s
Child Friendly City initiative, which
promotes building sustainable
cities and environments committed
to honoring children’s rights. It
advocates for several key features.
Parks & plenty of green space
for plants and animals
Opportunities to participate in
cultural and social events
Strong health care and
educational institutions
Visual resource management
Green infrastructure planning

4. SUCCESSFUL
CITIES?
But why are child-friendly cities

5. FOCUSED ON
EQUALITY

6. CHILD-FRIENDLY CITIES
Regard every resident as an
equal
Believe that all residents should
have access to services and
opportunities around the city
regardless of gender, disability,
ethnic origin, and other
demographic statistics.
Promote environments of
diversity and fairness among
residents
Uphold a high standard of
respect among residents so
that current and future
generations can promote
equality in their lives and in
their community.

7. PUTTING
SAFETY FIRST

8. PRIORITIZATION
of the safety and well-being of all
residents is critical for a city to thrive,
and child-friendly cities tend to
uphold this as a necessity.
Child-friendly cities are committed to
protecting children from violent
crimes, exploitation, and abuse.
THE RESULT?
A trickle-down effect on residents, as
they are supported by local
organizations and even local law
enforcement to keep violence and
crime at bay.

9. EMBRACING
NATURE

10. 1
Investing in more city
parks
MANY URBAN
LANDSCAPES
2 Promoting ‘green’
events
3 Taking the lead on
preserving the
environment with
appropriate clean-up
and maintenance
practices
are littered with
industrial buildings and
pollution levels run
high. Child-friendly
cities encourage
residents to embrace
nature by...

11. MAINTAINING
UNPOLLUTED
ENVIRONMENTS

12. PREVENTING ENVIRONMENTAL
HEALTH ISSUES
Child-friendly cities are
dedicated to creating cleaner air,
giving residents access to
sanitary public spaces, and
providing pollutant-free drinking
water.
Cities in which tap water is not
drinkable may focus on
improving water and sewer
systems, preventing hard
water, and ensuring
communities are built around
grocery stores or convenience
stores where clean water is
readily accessible.

13. PROVIDING
SOCIAL AND
COMMUNITY
ACTIVITIES

14. CHILDREN ARE
EAGER TO
SOCIALIZE
Child-friendly cities may further
encourage them to make friends and
develop relationships at a young age
by building playgrounds, hosting
community events for different age
groups, and sponsoring the arts.
THE RESULT?
Residents gain access to a wealth of
social and community activities that
encourage relationship-building and
help residents connect. From city
festivals to smaller play groups, living
in a child-friendly city can help
residents participate in family-friendly
activities and get to know fellow
residents in safe social environments.

15. CHILD-FRIENDLY CITIES OFFER A
MULTITUDE OF BENEFITS FOR CHILDREN
AND FAMILIES, AS WELL AS RESIDENTS
OF THE CITY WHO MAY NOT HAVE
CHILDREN OR A FAMILY.

16. LANDSCAPE
ARCHITECTS,
BUILDERS, AND
LOCAL
GOVERNMENTS
WORK TOGETHER
THE RESULT?
Child-friendly cities promote
diversity, reduce our carbon
footprint, encourage healthy
relationships, build happier, more
successful communities.
lowering crime rates
reducing unemployment
creating more diversity
hosting cultural events that
cater to all residents.

17. Bennat Berger
www.BennatBerger.net
THANK YOU!