Research tells the stories of caregiver experiences in Pune and Istanbul

Supporting urban childhoods explores caregiver use of public spaces in Pune (India) and Istanbul (Turkey). Using observation as the primary tool, it contains spatial knowledge on how young children and their caregivers make use of public spaces in disadvantaged locations for everyday uses.

Following caregivers on their daily journeys, insights emerged on mobility, lived experiences and safety in their neighbourhoods as well as services and infrastructural changes they would like to see.

Understanding the daily patterns of caregivers and children within urban locations helps to better position interventions related to improvements of public space. The nine-month research initiative was done in partnership with the University of Edinburgh and the Eindhoven University of Technology.

To share the knowledge on multifaceted nature and use of public spaces in two very different geographies, different resources were developed:

• a primary report laying out the research approach, data collection process and findings of the project;
• visual user stories highlighting the influence of the built environment on caregivers experiences;
• an illustrated novel telling the story of a common trip of a family who lives in Pune;
• a policy brief based on the research in Turkey.

Explore and download all publications here.

The Supporting urban childhoods research initiative also served as the basis for this media article, showing the challenges children from low-income families in India face as designated play spaces remain scarce and streets unsafe.