Enhancing children’s participation in creating child-friendly cities in Iran: barriers and solutions

Purpose The purpose of this study is to identify and analyze the barriers to children’s participation in urban planning in Isfahan, Iran, and to propose solutions for overcoming these obstacles. By understanding these challenges, the study aims to enhance the effectiveness of child-friendly urban planning initiatives, ensuring that children’s voices are heard and integrated into the planning process. This research contributes to the development of more inclusive and participatory urban environments for children in developing countries. Design/methodology/approach We employed a mixed-methods approach to identify barriers to children’s participation in urban planning in Isfahan. Quantitative data were collected from 241 children using questionnaires, and qualitative insights were gathered from ten urban planners through semi-structured interviews. The Friedman test was used for statistical comparison, while thematic analysis, following Brown and Clarke’s coding process, was applied to qualitative data. This approach allowed us to identify six main groups of barriers and propose essential solutions for enhancing child-friendly urban planning. Findings In the quantitative section, Districts 5 and 14 show high levels of sense of belonging and responsibility toward the place (District 5: 88.2% and District 14: 74.8%). However, the lack of legal support (District 5: 45.2% and District 14: 56.7%) and lack of awareness of urban planning (District 5: 55.9% and District 14: 52.7%) were identified as significant barriers to participation. In the qualitative section, 41 subthemes and six main themes were identified. The study identified six main categories of barriers to children’s participation in child-friendly urban planning: educational, social, legal, political, urban planning and design and allocation of financial resources. Key solutions included integrating policies, ensuring practical participation, providing resources, creating child-friendly spaces and events, increasing awareness and training children’s rights and citizenship and establishing monitoring organizations. Originality/value This study is pioneering in its comprehensive examination of barriers to children’s participation in urban planning within the context of a developing country, specifically Isfahan, Iran. By employing a mixed-methods approach and involving both children and urban planners, the research provides a nuanced understanding of the challenges and actionable solutions. The findings offer valuable insights for policymakers, urban planners and researchers aiming to create more inclusive and child-friendly urban environments, contributing significantly to the field of urban planning and child rights.