Kathmandu, 7June 2026 - Urban public spaces play a crucial role in promoting children's health, development, safety, and overall well-being, yet access to such spaces remains limited for millions of urban residents worldwide, according to a new guide jointly developed by the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, and UN-Habitat.
The guide highlights that only 44 percent of urban residents globally live within easy reach of open public spaces. The situation is even more concerning in low- and middle-income countries, where access drops to just 30 percent. Experts warn that inadequate access to safe and inclusive public spaces can negatively affect children's physical, mental, and social development.
To address this challenge, the guide introduces the SPACES Framework, a comprehensive approach designed to help cities create child-friendly urban environments. The framework emphasizes six key principles: Safety and Protection, Play and Recreation, Access Where Need Is Greatest, Child Health and Well-being, Equity and Inclusion, and Sustainability and Resilience.
According to the report, child-friendly public spaces extend far beyond traditional playgrounds. Well-designed parks, streets, community spaces, and recreational areas provide opportunities for children to play, learn, socialize, and develop essential life skills in safe and supportive environments.
The guide stresses the importance of prioritizing marginalized and underserved communities to ensure that all children, regardless of their socioeconomic background, gender, disability, or ethnicity, have equal access to quality public spaces. It also highlights the role of green and climate-resilient infrastructure in helping cities adapt to environmental challenges while improving the quality of urban life.
Examples featured in the publication demonstrate how cities around the world are implementing innovative solutions. These include temporary play installations in humanitarian and crisis settings as well as integrated urban planning initiatives in cities such as Medellín, Colombia, where public spaces have been used to strengthen social cohesion, improve mobility, and support community development.
Beyond benefiting children, the report notes that investments in public spaces can generate broader social and economic advantages. Well-planned urban spaces can revitalize local economies, foster stronger community connections, improve public health outcomes, and enhance resilience to climate-related risks.
As urbanization continues to accelerate globally, international organizations are urging governments, urban planners, and development partners to place children at the center of city planning. Creating safe, accessible, and inclusive public spaces is increasingly recognized as a vital investment in building healthier, more equitable, and sustainable cities for present and future generations.
The guide serves as a practical resource for policymakers and city authorities seeking to transform urban environments into places where children can thrive while contributing to broader sustainable development goals.
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