Why involve children in urban planning? Only through the participation of children it s possible to get to know their needs on and views about space. Children know best what is needed to create a Child Friendly City and are often able to make better and sometimes even more cost-effective choices. Involving them also creates a new generation of active citizen and enhances children s development. The international seminar therefore not only explores issues concerning children s space and mobility; their right to play; matters affecting their health and wellbeing; but also, their participation in the processes to determine the city environment and services. The first of the international seminar series will take place on 19-20 June in the city of Rotterdam, in collaboration with the municipality of Rotterdam and the city authorities. Program overview The conference is chaired by Adrian Voce, chairman of the European Network Child Friendly Cities. Day 1: 19 June 2017 12:30 13:00 Registration & Welcome at the City hall of Rotterdam 13:00 14:30 Plenary program at the Burgerzaal (City hall) with: Ronald Schneider Alderman Urban Development and Integration City of Rotterdam Princess Laurentien (Missing Chapter Foundation) - confirmed Ken Worpole - Social historian and writer on architecture, landscape and public policy issues René Tristan Lydiksen - Managing Director of LEGO Education Europe 15:00 17:00 Presentations on theme 1 and 2 at Timmerhuis and Museum Rotterdam with: Tim Gill Jan Gehl Willem van Vliet Lia Karsten Cruijf Foundation Page 1 of 5
17:30 18:30 Network & Drinks 19:00 end Informal dinner at Brasserie Schielandshuis (optional) Day 2: 20 June 2017 10:00 12:30 Tours & Working visits on theme 1 and 2 12:30 13:30 Lunch at Bistro Bar Binnenrotte at the Central Library 13:30 15:30 Plenary Program at the Library Theatre Co-reference on CFC themes 2017 with Emile Klep, Karine van t Land and Lia Karsten Closing Speech by Erion Veliaj, mayor of Tirana (to be asked by Adrian) 15:30 16:30 Drinks and goodbyes at Bistro Bar Binnenrotte Page 2 of 5
THEME 1 THE RIGHT FOR CHILDREN TO BE INVOLVED IN URBAN PLANNING In principle, everyone is in favour of children s rights. The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) has been adopted by almost every county in the world; but does every government act accordingly? Article 12 of the CRC, obliges state parties to give children the opportunity to be heard in administrative proceedings affecting them. This includes urban planning; and not just for playgrounds. Every project has its challenges to involve affected residents and businesses. Children, perhaps seen as a difficult to reach group, are frequently overlooked. But since they have the right to be heard, the onus is on planners to develop and adopt tools to involve them too. What are the most effective tools and processes for involving children of different ages in urban planning? What questions can we ask them? And which not? Theme 1 led by: Karine van t Land - Youth doctor and medical historian Speakers/presentations - Monday 19 th June; 15:00 17:00 Tim Gill - leading thinker on childhood, and an effective advocate for positive change in children s everyday lives (confirmed) Jan Gehl (to be confimed) Willem van Vliet (to be invited) Field trip theme 1 - Tuesday 20 th of June: 10.00-12.30 Location: Recreation Center Oostervant, Oostervantstraat 25 (https://oostervant.nl) or De Bouwkeet Delfshaven, Schiedamseweg 240 (http://www.bouwkeet.org) (to be confirmed) Fieldtrip theme 1 is under construction, involves a workshop by Lidija Poth (designer, programmaker, teacher Poth-Peak & Co) - The Hottentot Foundation This workshop will take place at the Oostervant of Bouwkeet, is led by Lidija Poth, architect and teacher (in a primary school and at the Technical University of Delft). She is founder of the Hottentot foundation, an NGO with a mission to inform and involve children in their urban environment. This workshop (which also involves schoolchildren and students of the TU Delft) will demonstrate how to familiarise children with city planning and how to encourage them to develop their own views and ideas. Page 3 of 5
THEME 2 - URBAN DEVELOPMENT FROM A FAMILY PERSPECTIVE When moving into a new neighbourhood, one of the first things young parents do is check out the available schools in the area. For a family, schools are a big priority and good schools act like magnets. Although a city is a mix of different lifestyles: students, different types of families, young professionals, early birds, night owls and more; a well-balanced city is created by making it child friendly: a city good for children is a city good for everyone. So how do we transform unwelcoming places for children, into child and family friendly neighbourhoods? What is the role of local government and how can we use the magnetic function of schools in urban planning? How can we best turn schools into partners for change? The link between the economic and social vitality of a city and the quality of its education offer is indisputable. The calibre of schools is an important influence on where people decide to live. Investment in communities, by improving neighbourhood schools and offering a wider selection of good schools, is a way to draw families to urban areas. Theme 2 is led by: Lia Karsten (associate professor in Urban Geographies at the University of Amsterdam/AISSR) Speakers/presentations - Monday 19 th June; 15:00 17:00 Naomi Felder (to be invited by Johan) info@bureaufeld.nl Cruijff Foundation (via Farid Gamei - to be contacted Melany/Miranda Nauta) Jasper Schipperijn (to be invited) jschipperijn@health.sdu.dk Lia Karsten (06-55406311, C.J.M.Karsten@uva.nl) moderator theme 2 on 19/20 June & co-reference (Melany spoke to her about the conference, formally to be invited by Johan) Field trip theme 2- Tuesday 20 th of June: 10.00-12.30 Location: PI Noordsingel (to be confirmed), Noordsingel http://www.tuinvannoord.nl Research into the new generation of city children and recent urban analysis provides Rotterdam with innovative insights and recommendations for family-friendly improvements in different urban areas. In the neighbourhood het Oude Noorden (the Old North) the municipality is working with developers, corporations, professionals, schools, students and urban planners of the family-friendly development of this area (public spaces, family-houses and public parks). This cooperation results in a unique approach fed by different viewpoints. During this field trip, we zoom in on various locations like Jensiusstraat, Noordplein, Noordsingel and the redevelopment of the PI Noordsingel (former prison) into the Garden of North. This tour focusses on the priority of good schools and family homes as a magnet for attracting and families, transforming neighbourhoods into child- and family-friendly areas and the role of various organizations and companies therein. Tour by Bus, with: Site visit: primary school - De Fontein (small tour / short presentation by students Page 4 of 5
Presentation by managing school director of De Fontein Site visit: former Prison and development site PI Noordsingel. Workshop @ the chapel of the former prison led by Lia Karsten: Presentation by Robin Dijkgraaf HD Investement (developer PI Noordsingel the Garden of North on family homes in the former prison and the still to be developed - public urban park. Managing director Child and Education on profiling of De Fontein school, the interaction between the development of curriculum and the urban development of the area, the meaning of (green) schoolyards and the importance of child participation. Presentation by on the transformation of the Zuiderziekenhuis (former hospital) into the first gymnasium in Rotterdam South and the urban development of this area. Presentation by Naomi Felder to give an urban planning and scientific view on the matter Walking tour in groups - from PI Noordsingel to the Noordplein with Bart Kardinaal and Nadine Roos (initiators of Family Square Noordplein, a dreamstreet initiative) By bus to the Library Theater Page 5 of 5