Contribute to providing a convenient place to move and interact with the surroundings

Expo.. 10 principles for creating green, child-friendly urban spaces

  • Khawla Al Mulla and Hessa Khalfan Al Ghazal with representatives of UNICEF, the United Nations Human Settlements Program and the Sharjah Urban Planning Council.

    From the source

  • The principles included fair and proportional geographic distribution.

    From the source

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Yesterday, at Expo 2020 Dubai, it was announced the launch of the Sharjah Guiding Principles for Child Friendly Urban Planning, which was developed by the Child Friendly Urban Planning Project of the Sharjah Child Friendly Office, in strategic partnership with UNICEF, the United Nations Human Settlements Program and the Sharjah Urban Planning Council.

This came during a ceremony held in the Opportunities Pavilion at the Expo within the United Nations pavilion, in the presence of the Secretary-General of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs, Dr. Khawla Al Mulla, and the Executive Director of the Sharjah Child-Friendly Office, Dr. Hessa Khalfan Al Ghazal, along with a speech by the Head of Child Protection, UNICEF , Saji Thomas, and a representative from the United Nations Human Settlements Program, Christine Sommer, and a recorded speech provided by the Secretary-General of the Sharjah Urban Planning Council, Eng. Khalid Al Ali.

The timing of the official launch of the guide was chosen yesterday, coinciding with the World Cities Day on October 31, which aims to enhance the international community’s interest in sustainable urban expansion, reflecting the commitment of the Emirate of Sharjah to achieving sustainable and comprehensive growth and development and building human-centered societies that meet their needs.

The Sharjah Child-Friendly Office launched the Child-Friendly Urban Planning Project in 2017, as a continuation of Sharjah’s march to adopt child-friendly urban planning, and to meet the basic rights of children of different cultures and competencies without any discrimination, to ensure their right to participate and express their opinion in the decision-making process in a way that enhances the efforts of the Office Sharjah is child-friendly to improve their quality of life through child-friendly urban planning.

The launch of the Child-Friendly Urban Planning Principles project came within the framework of the strategic plan for the Sharjah Child- and Adolescent-Friendly Project 2018-2021, which was developed by the office, in partnership with the Sharjah Urban Planning Council, UNICEF, and the United Nations Human Settlements Program.

The Sharjah Guidelines for Child-Friendly Urban Planning is based on the approach of the Emirate of Sharjah, which places the child at the forefront of his priorities and focuses on providing a safe urban environment that meets his needs, to be a global example in designing child-friendly cities, and a reference for government agencies in the Emirate of Sharjah and for all stakeholders in the field Urban planning, architecture, road and municipal engineers, including professionals, engineers, designers and developers in the field of public space planning. Khawla Al Mulla confirmed that the Sharjah Child Friendly Urban Planning Guidelines represent a qualitative achievement for the Sharjah Child Friendly Office, whose vision is based on ensuring the right of children to play in a clean and friendly environment for them, and to participate in the decision-making process that affects their future.

Hessa Khalfan Al-Ghazal said that the launch of the guide is the result of the first cooperation of its kind in the field of child-friendly urban planning between a United Nations body and an Arab city, hence our launch of the principles from the United Nations pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai.

For her part, Christine Sommer said that child-friendly urban spaces contribute to providing a suitable place for children to move freely and interact with their peers, thus enhancing their social skills and supporting their development.

It also helps caregivers, parents and families relax and enjoy their time.

Given the nature of the region's climate, it is important to provide the right conditions for children to be able to enjoy outdoor play all year round.

It is noteworthy that these principles came after a series of efforts that spanned since 2017, and started with a brainstorm in which a group of children participated. To see the light of day with clear and integrated principles that express the vision of the "Child-Friendly Sharjah Office".

Khawla Al Mulla:

• “Every child has the right to play freely in a clean and safe environment."

Gazelle share:

• «The guide embodies Sharjah's efforts in promoting urban planning».

Sharjah Guidelines for Child Friendly Urban Planning:

1. Equitable and proportional geographical distribution.

2. Universal design and safe spaces.

3. Enhancing the participatory approach.

4. Responding to the climate.

5. Design at the human level.

6. Planning to play.

7. Encouraging walking and cycling.

8. Promote healthy patterns.

9. The integration of culture, history and heritage.

10. Planning for maintenance and sustainability.