Amplifying Children’s Voices: A qualitative exploration of associations between the built environment and social and emotional wellbeing in children living in hardship in urban growth areas

Neighbourhood environments are known to influence how children feel and get along with others. However, children rarely have a say in the planning of their suburbs or cities. We wanted to ask children and their carers what makes children feel good in their neighbourhood, so their perspectives can inform how their neighbourhoods are designed.

We conducted family interviews with 14 children aged 4 to 12 years and 6 carers experiencing hardship and living in new, outer-suburban neighbourhoods. The findings identified four ways that neighbourhood environments might shape children’s wellbeing: 1) sensory and nature play in green and blue spaces can help children feel ‘calm happy’; 2) risky play in green and blue spaces can help children feel ‘excited happy’; 3) private, safe spaces can help children feel a sense of belonging; and 4) pet-friendly housing and public space can help children feel a sense of community and friendship.

Urban planners should prioritise safe, accessible local green and blue spaces that support both calming and stimulating play, enable children to play independently near their home, provide clean and accessible facilities, and support affordable, pet-friendly housing. These priorities may be particularly important for families experiencing hardship and living in outer-suburban neighbourhoods.