Children's Independent Mobility and the Built Environment

Children have an intrinsic right to movement in the public realm. However, their needs are often not considered in urban land-use plans, policies and designs. This research paper explores the interaction between children's independent mobility and the built environment in Toronto, Canada and analyzes how the topic is addressed in both planning policy and practice. The research was conducted in four parts: a literature review, a planning document content analysis, site visits to CityPlace (a master planned neighbourhood in Toronto), and an investigation of three cities that have implemented child-friendly policies and designs. The findings show that although the City of Toronto has adopted a child-friendly vision, it is not adequately reflected in either planning documents or practice. As a result, recommendations are made on how the City can improve policy, programs, and urban design in order to better tailor the built environment to the needs of children.