'Places for young people'

What if we really tried to make places better for young people. What would they be like? Here are some ideas based on our experiences and discussions on Our Natural capital.

We can make places better for young people if they ...

1. recognise and value young people

It is important to recognise and value the contribution that young people make when they get involved in activities in the city. Being recognised for making an effort.

2. are engaging and open spaces for participation

It is important to feel you have the permission to be part of a place, to be allowed to explore, your way. It is helpful to have things that capture the imagination, intrigue.

3. invite honesty and negotiation

We all carry stories about how the world works, who we like, who we don’t. It can be hard to  understand differences, different people. We need spaces to work these things out, and spaces to negotiate our own understanding of things.

4. provide opportunities for all

Everybody should have a fair chance to do what they are good at, whether they are disabled or different. Some of these people are our brothers and sisters, our friends.

5. encourage mutual support, people caring for each other.

We all want to be part of something, and part of groups that care for us, and for others. We need to learn to care more, and take care.

6. feel valued

Spaces that look good and feel good are well looked after. This means people see them as important. You can tell what we value in how we care for places.

7. have colour

Colour makes places more attractive, and makes them feel real.

8. are not all about internalised experiences, not separated but accessible

It is important to have spaces to get out and meet people, inside spaces, outside spaces, spaces we can get to and feel part of things, welcoming spaces to feel good.

9. are not unhealthy

It is important to have spaces to feel healthy, to have the opportunities to be healthy, to feel alive, to feel good.