Urban Minded

Sometimes you encounter research that provides new insights into urban development. The ‘Urban Minded’ project by Henning Larsen and the Det Sundhedsvidenskabelige Fakultet, Syddansk Universitet, conducted by Yalda Pilehchian and Dorte Buchardt Westergaard, is such an eye-opener. It focuses on an often overlooked group in urban planning: teenage girls between 14 and 16 years old. The research setup (also recommended!) can be found here: https://lnkd.in/eRj7tS_w

An Overlooked Group
There are ‘forgotten groups’ in urban development. Teenage girls find themselves in a unique life phase – between childhood and adulthood. This ‘in-between period’ makes them particularly vulnerable to being overlooked in urban design, while their mental health has already been under pressure for some time.

The Urban Minded research identified three essential concepts that determine how teenage girls experience and use the city:

To Flow
This concept revolves around freedom of movement through the city. Teenage girls want to be able to move safely and freely. This requires:
– Well-lit routes
– Clear connections
– Places that invite discovery
– Safe cycling and walking paths

To Be
‘To Be’ is about having places where teenage girls can be themselves:
– Spaces for rest and reflection
– Places to gather with friends
– Sheltered areas that provide privacy
– Comfortable seating areas where they feel welcome

To Play
The playful element remains important but takes on a different form than for young children:
– Spaces for creative expression
– Places for spontaneous activities
– Flexible areas that allow different forms of use
– Elements that invite interaction and movement

These three concepts lead to concrete recommendations for urban development:

For Designers and Planners:
– Create connecting routes that combine safety and discovery
– Design multifunctional spaces that enable both privacy and social interaction
– Integrate age-appropriate playful elements

For Policy Makers:
– Actively involve teenage girls in planning processes
– Develop policies that take their specific needs into account
– Ensure a balanced distribution of facilities

Conclusion
The Urban Minded research shows that successful urban development requires understanding how different groups experience the city. By considering teenage girls’ needs for ‘flow’, ‘being’, and ‘play’, we create not just a better city for them, but for everyone.

Source:

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/remco-deelstra-0233635_design-ugcPost-7280200490741596160-1nLB/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop