Creating Better Cities with Children and Youth A Manual for Participation

This is a practical manual on how to promote the participation of young people in urban planning, design and implementation. The core ideas and methods presented have been widely field-tested in a wide range of urban settings in both developing and urbanized cities. The manual uses case studies to demonstrate methods in action and shows how they can be customized to local needs.It provides a framework for planning participatory projects and building the necessary institutional support. It complements "Growing Up in an Urbanizing World" and derives from the same UNESCO project giving educators, planners and others working with urban children and communities a very valuable tool.

Creating Better Cities with Children and Youth is a practical manual on how to conceptualize, structure and facilitate the participation of young people in the community development process. It is an important tool for urban planners, municipal officials, community development staff, non-governmental organizations, educators, youth-serving agencies, youth advocates, and others who are involved in the community development process. It offers inspiration to all who believe in the value of community education and empowerment as a fundamental building block of a vibrant and resilient civil society, and those who feel concern for young people and the quality of their lives. The manual's core ideas and methods have been field-tested in a wide range of urban settings in both developing and industrialized cities through the work of the UNESCO Growing Up in Cities project. Case studies from project sites help to demonstrate the methods in action and show how they can be customized to meet local needs. They provide lessons and insights to help ensure a successful project, and highlight the universal applicability and value of young people's participation.

How to use this manual * first steps * young people's participation * organizing a project * designing the process * getting underway * participation toolkit * making change happen.