The participation of children in charrettes is a hot topic at our trainings these days. At ASU last week we discussed these major benefits.
- Kids can add important content. They are, of course, brutally honest and also quite smart about planning issues.
- Their presentations can change the whole tenor of the charrette. Kids very often speak volumes about important values. Their honesty can raise the discussion to the level of values and guiding principles.
- They might bring their parents to the charrette, especially if you make the project a school project.
- They can serve as interpreters for parents who are not fluent in English.
These are just some of the benefits of including these stakeholders in planning their communities. What else are we missing? What have been your experiences with children in community planning processes?
3 responses so far ↓
1 Jason Thorne // Jul 8, 2009 at 10:12 am
My experience working with youth at charrettes has been, without exception, very positive.
My firm (based in Toronto) just completed a very innovative charrette exercise designed specifically for youth (aged 16-18) for the provincial government in Ontario. The goal was to educate youth about urban planning issues, and also get their input on how their communities could be transformed.
We used an on-line portal for youth to learn about planning issues and share ideas, followed by a full-day charrette where the youth “re-designed” their downtowns using scale styrofoam models and photomontage techniques.
It was tremendously successful. You can’t equal the enthusiasm and energy or the creativity of a room full of youth. They bring a very unique perspective to many pressing urban issues. They are also very effective at inspiring decision-makers and political leaders, and they bring much less “baggage” with them than is often the case at a broader public session.
I have also had youth attend broader public sessions. While still effective, I found that the youth were less willing to speak their minds and take risks when they were in a group with adults.
(For those interested, more information about the project can be found here:
http://www.news.ontario.ca/newsroom/en/
Scroll down on the right hand side under feature stories.
Or visit
http://www.placestogrow.ca/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=48&Itemid=66
2 Joni Scanlon // Nov 2, 2009 at 4:12 pm
Hi – It’s so interesting that you posted these items – and thank you! I have been looking at targeting children for a community outreach project I’m working on (I’m a communication professional with some planning background). Since the city I’m now working for is mutilingual, I see the kids as the conduits to the parents. Has it worked in your experience to draw the parents into the process as participants?
Also, please check out the group, Community Buildings Communicators Network, I started on LinkedIn (see below) and join if you would. I’m trying to collect best practices about using social media tools to engage more public participation. It’s become a real passion. Thanks!
Also hope to be at NCI training in June!
http://www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=2399360&trk=anetsrch_name&goback=%2Egdr_1257204530919_1
3 Stephanie Ashe // Jun 7, 2010 at 1:47 pm
Hello! I am very interested in Youth Charrettes. I currently sit on the Illinois State Section APA Board and am helping put together a youth charrette for 60 6th graders for our upcoming State Conference. I have many ideas on how to conduct the few hours I have with the students, but would appreciate any insight from someone who might have done something similar in the past. Thanks a million!
Stephanie Ashe, AICP
Development Planner
City of Decatur, Illinois
217.424.2725