The patronising city: adult-centrism and youth exclusion in urban environments

Abstract Achieving inclusive urban environments requires addressing systemic exclusion of young people. This paper introduces the concept of the “patronizing city” to explain how adult-centrism shapes political, social, and spatial domains of urban life. This paper describes an analytical framework linking governance, institutional practices, and built environments to adult-centered planning. Through illustrative cases, it advances debate on inclusion, spatial justice, and equity as critical dimensions of urban sustainability.