Supporting urban childhoods

Supporting urban childhoods – Observations on caregiver use of public spaces from Pune (India) and Istanbul (Turkey) shares spatial knowledge from a research initiative done in partnership with the University of Edinburgh and the Eindhoven University of Technology. Using observation as the primary tool, researchers explored how young children and their caregivers make use of public spaces in disadvantaged locations for everyday uses.

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

This primary report lays out the research approach and data collection process of the project. It also includes two case studies, detailed analysis on the data collected (through observations, surveys, workshops and interviews) on public space, mobility in and around the neighbourhood, and built environment quality in both Pune and Istanbul, as well as recommendations and interventions identified by the caregivers.

The Pune and Istanbul Story strings are visual user stories highlighting the influence of the built environment on early childhood development. Stories of real caregivers are formed using interviews and maps of their challenges, daily routes around their homes, and aspirations for neighbourhood improvements.

This is an illustrated novel that tells the story of a common trip of a family who lives in Pune, the “Kumars”. The route and the struggles they encounter told in this story are real.

This policy brief is based on the research in Istanbul (Turkey) and available in English and Turkish.