Youth
Parks and Playgrounds deny Young People the Freedom to Grow
Towns and cities are becoming a more sterile and hostile place for young people with serious consequences for their well being and development, a new report by urban and social policy expert Ken Worpole concludes.
Title: No Particular Place to Go? Children, Young People and Public Space
Author: Ken Worpole
Date published: 23 June 2003
Published by Groundwork, the study is funded by Barclays Community Investment programme as part of its ongoing commitment to Barclays SiteSavers, a major programme of environmental regeneration managed by Groundwork.
The report found that a lack of imaginative design and concerns over safety are restricting young people by prohibiting the adventurous, risk-associated activities that are vital to their learning and development - such as climbing trees, riding bikes and using skateboards.
Parents and local authorities are fearful of adventurous play because of the risk of injury whilst the perception of young people as potential troublemakers means there is pressure for greater control over their activities. As a consequence many play areas are dull, uniform and fail to interest or challenge young people's imaginations.
If denied adventurous play, the author claims, young people may relocate to more dangerous places and engage in anti-social behaviour.
The report looks at other European countries, such as Denmark, which have a more positive attitude towards children in the design of public spaces. The report argues that by involving young people in consultation and design, public space can be challenging and suitable for children and adults of all ages.
The report also contains case studies which highlight how this can be achieved, including a skate park in Derbyshire which was built after the intervention of a local 14 year old boy who
had complained about the lack of facilities.
The scheme was supported by Barclays SiteSavers and Groundwork.
Barclays
SiteSavers, a regeneration scheme now in its eighth year which helps local people improve derelict land on their doorstep, has successfully involved young people closely in many of its projects.
Last year Groundwork:
worked with more than 80,000 children and young people
involved more than 350,000 pupils in environmental projects
brought benefits to an estimated 2 million children
supported around 4,800 projects
encouraged volunteers to give more than 340,000 days of their time to improve their neighbourhoods
For further information contact:
Graham Duxbury on 0121 237 3650 or 0771 3403086
Daisy Powell on 0121 237 3624
'No Particular Place to Go? Children, Young People and Public Space' by Ken Worpole is available from Groundwork UK on 0121 236 8565, email:
info@groundwork.org.uk
Last update: 22/09/03