Paper short abstract:

Green and open spaces in residential neighbourhoods are important places for children and young people. Being able to play and hang out outdoors is crucial both for children’s physical health and mental and social development. However, urban space is also often seen as dangerous to children and young people, as something they need to be protected from because of traffic and crime. Despite these restrictions, children and young people continue to use urban space. By discussing relevant literature and illustrating with empirical results, this paper discusses how children and young people promote safety in urban space. The point I am making in this paper is that children and young people who actively use space in their everyday life and in this way make it their own are less fearful and more spatially confident.

Paper long abstract:

Green and open spaces in residential neighbourhoods are important places for children and young people. Being able to play and hang out outdoors is crucial both for children's physical health and mental and social development. However, urban space is also often seen as dangerous to children and young people, as something they need to be protected from because of traffic and crime. Despite these restrictions, children and young people continue to use urban space. By discussing relevant literature and illustrating with empirical results, this paper discusses how children and young people promote safety in urban space. The point I am making in this paper is that children and young people who actively use space in their everyday life and in this way make it their own are less fearful and more spatially confident.