Cities for Children: Supporting Capabilities of Children and Caregivers through Participatory Urban Planning Research

The research presented in this Ph.D. thesis develops a participatory journey towards a child-focused vision of cities, drawing on participatory urban planning research with children and caregivers in Istanbul. The research aims to better understand and position the participation and representation of children in planning processes to inform urban policymaking and planning practice. Participation of children is proven pivotal in achieving cities for children, and enhancing knowledge on participatory urban planning processes with children is critical, especially in cities like Istanbul, where children’s inclusion in planning processes is scarce. Besides, this effort is vital where rapid urbanization has drastically impacted the lives of children, reducing their claim to quality urban public spaces and urban services and impacting their right to the city. This Ph.D. research has important implications for a general understanding of the utilization of children’s unique capabilities linked to broader implementations in enabling urban prosperity for all. Fundamentally, the utilization of children’s capabilities in urban planning paves the way towards creating cities for children, in which children –the future adults pursue happy and healthy lives, enhancing the social progress of states. Considering children’s claims regarding nature, co-existence, and recycling in this Ph.D. thesis, states can contribute to the fight against climate change through the eyes of their children. Based on these, this Ph.D. thesis calls attention to the fact that children are critical social agents in achieving sustainable and inclusive urban development, urging better positioning of children in participatory urban planning practices. More empirical research in collaboration with children is needed in urban planning research to contribute to achieving Sustainable Development Goals and New Urban Agenda, to which this Ph.D. thesis subscribes.