Planning with Preschoolers: City Mapping as a Planning Tool. (27th May 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Freeman, Claire; Ergler, Christina; Guiney, Tess
• Is Part Of: Planning, practice & research. Volume 32:Number 3(2017)
• Page Start: 297
• Page End: 318
• Publication Date: 2017-05-27
• Subjects: City mapping -- preschool children -- planning tools -- New Zealand; Regional planning -- Periodicals; Social policy -- Research -- Periodicals; 307.1205
• DOI: 10.1080/02697459.2017.1374790
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0269-7459

Abstract

Abstract: The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child requires that children 'have the right to be heard in matters affecting them' (Article 12). Given that planning matters such as housing, transport, services and recreation provision affect children, it is necessary, therefore, for planners to engage with children. While planning has made considerable progress in working with older children, preschool children have been overlooked. Preschoolers are commonly seen as lacking the understanding necessary to comprehend the city scale. This paper presents a tile-based city-mapping method that demonstrates preschool children do understand city-scale features and relationships. Further, this method could be used in planning to advocate for and to engage with very young children in planning conversations.