Cities4Children

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Cities4Children

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Championing young people's rights in urban areas.
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We want to see urban areas that are planned, designed and managed to support children and youth to reach their highest potential. We want urban areas where children and youth can grow up healthy safe and happy, where they have access to opportunities and where the rights of children and their caregivers are respected.

16/10/2026

Ahead of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, focused on , we must look beyond housing alone.

For the ~500 million children growing up in slums and informal settlements, safe housing is not just about a roof over their heads. It is about access to basic services, healthy environments, safe public spaces, opportunities to learn and play, and a voice in shaping the neighbourhoods where they live.

Creating safer and healthier settlements for children requires a multi-pronged approach:

Transform informal settlements at scale by investing in housing, infrastructure and services while putting children at the centre of upgrading efforts.

https://cities4children.org/blog/global-action-plan-transforming-slums-help-children-thrive/

Map neighbourhoods with children to help communities and decision-makers understand how children experience risks, opportunities, and everyday life in their surroundings.

https://cities4children.org/blog/mapping-neighbourhoods-for-and-with-children/

Invest in safe, area-based facilities that give children places to learn, play, access services and build social connections.

https://cities4children.org/blog/safe-area-based-facilities-for-urban-children-in-disadvantaged-settings/

Poverty cannot be eradicated if children continue to grow up in unsafe and unhealthy environments. The solutions exist. The challenge is to scale them through stronger investment, partnership and political commitment.

11/10/2026

What about the children when cities rebuild after conflict or disaster?
This week, Cities4Children - The Global Alliance, represented by Sarah Sabry (Global Urban Lead at Save the Children), will be speaking at the 'Rethinking Rebuilding' Symposium at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina in Alexandria, Egypt.
🗓 Keynote: What About the Children?
⏰ 13 October, 12:20 PM
📍 Bibliotheca Alexandrina
The symposium brings together architects, peacebuilders, educators, artists and community practitioners to explore how cities can rebuild in ways that are more inclusive, resilient and people-centred after conflict or disaster.
As cities recover and transform, children are often among those most affected by decisions about housing, public space, mobility, services and community life. Sarah's keynote will highlight why children's perspectives, needs and rights must be part of rebuilding efforts from the outset, helping create cities that work better for everyone.
If you're in Alexandria connect with us. Attendance is free and registration is open.
🔗 View the full 3 day programme and register: https://www.rethinkingseries.foundation/programme
Convened by Snøhetta Foundation and Humane Urbanism
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05/10/2026

'When we hear the word "housing," we understand this as bricks, mortar, and statistics. But for a child, a "home" is not just a structure; it is the foundation for every single one of our rights.'
'Without a safe, livable home, how can a child stay healthy? Without a roof over our heads, how can we access basic rights like clean water, sanitation, or hygiene? When a home is unstable and not safe, education becomes a luxury we can’t afford because we are too busy surviving. We want to highlight that a safe home is the shield that protects us from violence, ensures our basic rights, and is the foundation that allows us to dream.'
These are quotes from a speech by Imtiaz Ahmed, at the opening of the last . At just 17 years old, Imtiaz emerged as a compelling voice for urban children on the global stage. As a member of the National Children's Task Force (NCTF) in Bangladesh, he reminded world leaders that adequate housing is not just about shelter. It is the foundation upon which all children's rights are built.
Today, on , the theme is "Adequate Housing for All." Yet an estimated 2.8 billion people face inadequate housing conditions, including around 500 million children living in slums and informal settlements. These numbers are a stark reminder that urgent and concerted action is needed to ensure that every child grows up in a safe, secure, and dignified home.
On World Habitat Day, we share Imtiaz's inspiring speech from the opening of the World Urban Forum.
🔗 Read it here: https://www.savethechildren.net/stories/bangladesh-baku-young-activist-calls-child-friendly-cities-world-urban-forum

01/10/2026

📢 Webinar Announcement: Co-Creating Safe and Inclusive Public Spaces for Children (organized by UNICEF, WHO, UN Habitat)
📅 7 October 2026 | 14:00 CET
Join experts, practitioners, youth advocates, and development partners to explore how we can create safer, more inclusive, and child-centred public spaces in informal settlements and slum contexts.
🔗More details here: https://ceh.unicef.org/events-and-resources/events/spaces-webinar-series-advancing-child-centred-public-spaces-across
🎙️ Speakers
• Sarah Sabry, Save the Children International & Cities4Children - The Global Alliance
• Araz Bazajian, HealthBridge Foundation of Canada
• Vivian Mulaki, Youth Environmental Advocate
• Sudeshna Chatterjee, WRI India
• José Chong, UN-Habitat (United Nations Human Settlements Programme)
• Nathalie Roebbel, World Health Organization
• Elena Bonetti, UNICEF
• Abheet Solomon, UNICEF

🔗 Register here: https://unicef.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_yNbTzJPgRYa7OGPJEPakSQ #/registration

28/09/2026

🎉 A new partner has joined us at the Global Alliance - Cities4Children
We're delighted to welcome RMIT Europe to our growing network.
is the research and innovation hub of RMIT University. Based in Barcelona, they connect researchers, city governments, industry, and communities to create healthier and more sustainable urban futures. RMIT Europe work across four focus areas: inclusive cities and communities, resilient infrastructure, health futures, design culture and creative practice is the research and innovation hub of RMIT University. Based in Barcelona, they connect researchers, city governments, industry, and communities to create healthier and more sustainable urban futures. RMIT Europe work across four focus areas: inclusive cities and communities, resilient infrastructure, health futures, design culture and creative practice
Together, we look forward to making cities better for children and young people.

22/09/2026

🚗❌ Fewer cars. Safer streets. Cleaner environment. Healthier children. Stronger communities.
This World Car Free Day, we're championing streets that make walking safe, easy and enjoyable. From safe school zones to walkable neighbourhoods, investing in people-first streets improves health, cuts pollution and gives children greater independence.
Here are some ideas for action:
- 9 reasons for more pedestrian streets
https://cities4children.org/blog/9-reasons-for-pedestrian-streets/
- How low‑emission zones create healthier, more child‑friendly cities
https://cities4children.org/blog/low-emission-zones-create-healthier-cities/
- Lessons from more than 1000 school streets
https://cities4children.org/blog/lessons-from-more-than-1000-school-streets/
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09/09/2026

What does it take to make an ENTIRE city work better for children?

A playground, a school programme, or a safer crossing can make a difference. But lasting impact happens when cities take a broader view and ask:
📍 Which children are being left behind?
📍 Which neighbourhoods need the most support?
📍 How can different departments work together to improve children's lives?
That's the role of a citywide strategy for children.
In our latest blog, we share 4 examples of cities putting this into practice, from citywide play planning in Regensburg and safer school streets in Milan, to green schoolyards in Paris and large-scale early childhood investment in Addis Ababa.

These examples show that creating child-friendly cities isn't about isolated interventions. It's about building systems that work for every child.

Read more 👇
https://cities4children.org/blog/citywide-strategies-for-children/

07/09/2026

Children have the right to breathe clean air. They are among the most vulnerable to air pollution, yet they have the least control over the air they breathe. That's why city action matters.

Today, on International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies, we highlight examples of cities taking action to create healthier environments where children can grow, learn, play, and thrive.

Around the world, cities are demonstrating that cleaner air is possible through stronger policies, better data, cleaner transport systems, and a commitment to reaching the communities most affected by pollution.

👉 Swipe to see what's working and explore resources that can help cities accelerate progress toward cleaner air for every child.

📚 Looking for evidence, tools and practical solutions?
• Urban Air Pollution and Children in Low- and Middle-Income Countries
https://cities4children.org/knowledgebase/urban-air-pollution-and-children-in-low-and-middle-income-countries/
• Policy Brief: Air Pollution in Early Childhood
https://cities4children.org/knowledgebase/policy-brief-air-pollution-in-early-childhood/
• How Low-Emission Zones Create Healthier, More Child-Friendly Cities
https://cities4children.org/blog/low-emission-zones-create-healthier-cities/

26/08/2026

We're thrilled to welcome Dreamtown as the newest member organisation of the Global Alliance - Cities4Children!

Dreamtown is a global urban NGO committed to creating better cities with and for young people. Through partnerships across Sierra Leone, Uganda, Kenya, South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Ukraine, Dreamtown supports urban action that empowers children and youth, particularly in slums and informal settlements, to create safer, more inclusive, and child-friendly public spaces.

Their work closely aligns with our shared vision of cities where every child and young person can thrive, participate, and shape the future of their communities.

We look forward to collaborating, learning, and strengthening our collective impact for children and youth worldwide.

Welcome to the Global Alliance - Cities4Children Dreamtown!

11/08/2026

Does your city allow young people to hang out with friends, be creative, and meaningfully contribute to the place they call home? There are 1.2 billion young people (aged 15–24) today. Most are growing up in cities. Yet too often, urban spaces and systems fail to reflect their realities, needs, and ambitions.

This , we share 3 practical suggestions to make cities better for and with teens and youth:

🧑🏽‍🤝‍🧑🏼Teen-friendly spaces in cities: Real-world examples showing how cities can design inclusive, flexible spaces where teens can connect, express themselves, and belong. https://cities4children.org/blog/3-examples-of-teen-friendly-spaces-in-cities/

🗣️Shifting power to youth in urban programming: Why meaningful participation means giving young people real decision-making power, not just a seat at the table. https://cities4children.org/blog/shifting-power-to-youth-in-urban-programming/

🙋‍♀️Her City: empowering girls to shape cities: Global guidance and examples to ensure girls are heard, included, and actively shaping safer, more equitable urban spaces. https://cities4children.org/blog/her-city-empowering-girls-to-shape-cities-her-way/

💡 Let’s build cities with and for young people
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