Child-responsive urban policies, laws and standards

Jointly created by the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), this comprehensive report titled "Child-responsive urban policies, laws, and standards: A Guidance" addresses the critical issue of the insufficient integration of children's rights into urban policies and legislation. The guidance highlights the significance of placing children's concerns at the forefront of urban planning, emphasising that their inclusion leads to more effective and efficient service delivery. Drawing on the experiences of both organisations, the document stresses the need to empower children to actively participate in urban planning rather than merely observe the process.

It provides specific recommendations for policymakers, including the integration of child-responsive standards in various aspects of urban planning, such as ensuring secure, quality, and affordable housing, prioritising child safety in road infrastructure, and promoting the accessibility and safety of public spaces. Additionally, the guidance showcases successful practises from countries like Australia, Nigeria, and Serbia to demonstrate how national urban policies and legislative frameworks can effectively consider and include children and their needs. The guideline concludes by urging national and local stakeholders to implement the recommendations outlined in the document to ensure the development and enforcement of child-oriented laws and policies.

Abstract based directly on source.