I recently had the honor of being a guest on the Hopeless to Hotspot Podcast, hosted by Sandra Poelman. In this engaging episode, we explored how we can design inclusive cities that truly welcome everyone, especially children.
I shared my core belief that “a city for children is a city for all.” The fundamental needs of children—such as the ability to play, move around, meet others, and feel part of a community—are just as important for adults and the elderly. By prioritizing child-friendly spaces, we create environments that are beneficial to everyone.
Sandra and I also discussed how Swedish cities, known for their cleanliness, structure, and efficiency, can sometimes feel too rigid, leaving little room for the spontaneity and vibrancy of public life. That’s why I’m so passionate about advocating for child-friendly cities—because when we build for children, we build better cities for everyone.
In this episode, we touched on several key themes, including:
- The benefits of child-friendly urban design for all citizens.
- The power of placemaking and why it’s crucial for Sweden right now.
- The role of play and movement in childhood development.
- How to truly involve children and communities in shaping their environments.
We also discussed the importance of networks like Placemaking Sweden and the inspiration behind my Urbanistica podcast. We reflected on the challenges of creating successful child-friendly spaces and the one ingredient we’re missing to make it happen.
If you’re passionate about building more inclusive and playful cities, I encourage you to listen to the full episode! You can find it here on YouTube
Mustafa Sherif 