Open Space in Urban Areas: Applying an Early Childhood Lens Cities4Kids Urban95 Conference - New Delhi, India February 2, 2107 Daniella Ben-Attar, Israel Representative, BvLF

What is a positive environment for healthy child development? Play spaces & environments that promote: Physical development: Safe, healthy environment, allowing movement Social development: Encourages interaction with caregivers and peers Emotional development: self-confidence, success, joy, accomplishment, relaxing Cognitive Development: stimulating the learning of concepts, knowledge, language, communication Presentation Title

Key Evidence Open Space: Green space improves physical, cognitive and social development: Reduces toxic stress of urban life on early childhood & throughout lives (brain development?) Reduces health problems (obesity, ADD, psychological problems) Positively impacts mental health, social bonding, well-being Stimulates early learning abilities Disadvantaged children benefit more from access to green space Presentation Title

Quantity – Green space per capita Green space inequalities within cities Delhi 2 m2/person Istanbul 1 m2/person Presentation Title

Quality of Open Space Maintenance – especially in low-income areas Accessibility Enabling exploratory play over safety regulations Planning for parent & child – together and separately Presentation Title

Rapid urbanization & Density Lack of play spaces Privatization of public space Unsafe, unhealthy urban space (air/noise pollution, road accidents) Limited connection to nature Presentation Title

Gaps in Urban Governance & Management Lack of awareness & political will – who are voice of under 5s? Solutions require intersectoral actions – city governments not set up for this Limited capacity – need knowledge base & staff Financing - need cost-effective, scalable solutions Presentation Title

Urban planning for improved ECD outcomes Urban Design Green Space Walkability Bikeability Transport infrastructure Mixed land use Density Behavior & Environment Walking/Cycling Movement Car/Public transport Air/noise pollution Stress/Relaxation Social interaction Cognitive stimulation Child Health & ECD Reduced health risks: -Child Obesity -Respiratory illnesses in children -Low birth weight -Positive Development: Cognitive, physical, emotional Urban95 Improved ECD outcomes Going beyond adult focused interventions Presentation Title

Solutions Presentation Title

Bottom-up community initiatives In Greece, families transform left over spaces and vacant lots into pocket parks for children to play and parents to socialize. Presentation Title

Park(ing) Pocket Parks Transforming a car park into a people’s park in Accra Ghana with gardening elements Presentation Title

Partnerships with private developers Hong Kong developers permitted to increase floor area ratios in exchange for creating new pocket parks for families Presentation Title

Sharing of neighborhood spaces New York City’s Schoolyards to Playgrounds program opens school play space during non- school hours for the community Unlocking park space by unlocking schoolyard gates Presentation Title

Natural playscapes Berlin playscapes filled with natural elements supporting exploratory and creative play, open after school for families. Presentation Title

Rooftop “sky farms” Children cultivate community garden on top floor of residential complex in Shanghai supported by district “greenery authority” Presentation Title

Mobile urban agriculture Mobile agriculture gardens parking structures, school yards, rooftops – responding to “food deserts” and increasing nutrition in Brazil. Presentation Title

Coordinating with cleaning authorities Changing schedules of city cleaning crew to start with community parks serving private childcares in the morning, opening up new opportunities for play in Tel Aviv. Presentation Title

Streets as public space Reclaiming the streets for children in Bogota Presentation Title

Play spaces throughout public ream Presentation Title

Key Takeaways Green space has multiple benefits Disadvantaged have the most to gain Design for parent & child Influence existing budgets Low-cost, sustainable solutions Go beyond playgrounds Integrative Governance Its not about creating an agenda for children, but putting children on the broader urban agenda. Presentation Title

Daniella Ben-Attar, Israel Representative Bernard van Leer Foundation Thank you! Daniella Ben-Attar, Israel Representative Bernard van Leer Foundation Daniella.ben-attar@bvleerf.nl Presentation Title