This timely and thought-provoking book explores children's lives in modern cities. At a time of intense debate about the quality of life in cities, this book examines how they can become good places for children to live in. Through contributions from childhood experts in Europe, Australia and America, the book shows the importance of studying children's lives in cities in a comparative and generational perspective. It also contains fascinating accounts of city living from children themselves, and offers practical design solutions.
The authors consider the importance of the city as a social, material and cultural place for children, and explore the connections and boundaries between home, neighbourhood, community and city. Throughout, they stress the importance of engaging with how children see their city in order to reform it within a child-sensitive framework.
This book is invaluable reading for students and academics in the field of anthropology, sociology, social policy and education. It will also be of interest to those working in the field of architecture, urban planning and design.

About the Author
Pia Christensen, Margaret O'Brien

Reviews

Times Educational Supplement Book of the Week: 'Every one of the 11 essays here contains original insights that couldn't fail to be of interest and value to anyone whose life, professional or otherwise, brings them into contact with children ... the process whereby young children discover and map their surroundings, imprinting locations with memories and associations which in turn help to mould their own sense of identity, is about as fascinating a subject as you could wish to stumble upon between soft covers.' - Times Educational Supplement

'This is a well-written and well-edited reader which deserves to be widely read, not only by students and researchers, but also by people working with children and/or the urban environment such as teachers, architects and planners ... it draws a colourful and diverse picture of children's urban realities regarding home, neighbourhood and community.' - Housing Studies

'A rich and varied collection of chapters, from many contrasted settings. The field is alive and well, and is managing to combine theoretical rigour and methodological ingenuity with a passionate advocacy for the rights of the child in urban society.' - Children & Society

'This is a well-written and well-edited reader which deserves to be widely read, not only by students and researchers, but also by people working with children and/or the urban environment such as teachers, architects and planners ... it draws a colourful and diverse picture of children's urban realities regarding home, neighbourhood and community.' - Housing Studies

'A rich and varied collection of chapters, from many contrasted settings. The field is alive and well, and is managing to combine theoretical rigour and methodological ingenuity with a passionate advocacy for the rights of the child in urban society.' - Children & Society

Book Information
ISBN 9780415259255
Author Pia Christensen
Format Paperback
Page Count 232
Imprint Routledge
Publisher Taylor & Francis Ltd
Weight(grams) 362g