The project aimed to shift how adults perceive and shape urban spaces, making them safer, more inclusive, and enjoyable for children and all generations. Our first objective was to encourage adults to experience the city from a child’s perspective, fostering empathy and understanding of the challenges children face in urban environments. The second was to empower adults to co-design public spaces that align with sustainable, aesthetic, and inclusive principles inspired by the New European Bauhaus. The third was to strengthen collaboration and mutual learning among partners, professionals, and communities, creating a replicable awareness-raising process and citizen engagement approach. These objectives responded to priorities of civic engagement, inclusion, and lifelong learning. By equipping adults with knowledge, tools, and participatory methods, we sought to create lasting change in attitudes and practices, ensuring cities become places where children’s needs are valued and addressed alongside those of other residents.
We applied for PLAYFUL-ED to address the lack of adult awareness and engagement in designing child-friendly urban environments. In most cities, children’s perspectives are rarely considered in planning, despite their importance for safety, inclusivity, and quality of life. Adults, especially those involved in early childhood education and care, often overlook how urban spaces impact children’s mobility, play, and well-being. We saw a need for tools and processes that empower adults to “see the city” through a child’s eyes, fostering empathy and active citizenship. Our consortium combined complementary expertise: Urban Foxes in youth participation and placemaking, Area Europa in sustainability and spatial awareness, and Amarante Municipality as an urban living lab. Together, we aimed to address gaps in intergenerational dialogue, promote inclusive design aligned with the EU priorities, and build local capacity for sustainable, safe, and beautiful shared spaces that connect generations and enhance democratic participation.