Participation, protection and the porcupine’s dilemma: towards the inclusion of lesser heard young voices

The inclusion of young people in urban planning is vital for creating equitable, healthy cities. Global frameworks like UNICEF’s “child-friendly cities” and the UNCRC (UN 1989) emphasise rights to participate, however, balancing participation with rights to protection is critical, particularly in addressing sensitive issues like violence and abuse. Schopenhauer’s ‘porcupine’s dilemma’, where the desire for closeness conflicts with the risks of proximity, offers a metaphor for the dynamic interplay between seemingly indivisible rights of children and youth. For marginalised youth, this tension highlights the need for participatory processes that are both inclusive and safe. Using a contextual prevention lens, making spaces safer and enhancing wellbeing rather than merely reducing crime, urban planners can address the social and spatial dynamics of safety in ways that resonate with young people’s lived experiences. Based on literature review and a study with boys who have displayed harmful sexual behaviour in Scotland, this paper explores how reshaping public spaces can enhance safety and empower youth. Framing youth participation as protection highlights its transformative potential in urban planning, promoting coexistence and well-being. This paper emphasises context-sensitive approaches to address youth violence and harm, advocating for safer, healthier environments that respect young people’s rights and experiences.