In cities across Africa, urban spaces are booming, but there’s one big oversight: children.
Most African cities are designed around adults, cars and commerce, while children are left to navigate environments that are unsafe, overcrowded and short on places to play or learn. Kenya and other African nations need to rethink urban planning by putting children at the center of city design. If we can create safer, greener and more accessible cities for children, we’ll build a better Africa for everyone.
Why African Cities Should Focus on children
With 60% of Africa’s population under the age of 25, this is the world’s youngest continent. Cities like Nairobi, Lagos and Johannesburg are experiencing rapid growth, but this urban development often lacks consideration for children’s needs. Children face a number of dangers in these environments, from high traffic to inadequate healthcare and limited green spaces.
A UNICEF report emphasizes that children are the most affected by urban pollution, noise and unsafe infrastructure, which can impact their health and development. Shouldn’t our cities be designed to protect and uplift our youngest citizens?.
What Would a Child-Friendly City Look Like?
A child-friendly city goes beyond adding playgrounds here and there. It’s about creating spaces where children can safely explore, play and grow.
In Nairobi, for example, initiatives to reclaim public spaces for parks and playgrounds are few and far between, yet studies show that green spaces help children stay active, reduce stress and improve their school performance. Meanwhile, cities in Kenya often prioritize commercial development over parks or play areas.
If a city like Cape Town can invest in community green spaces, why can’t more African cities do the same?
Safe Streets for children
African cities are often crowded and chaotic, making it challenging for children to get around safely. In Nairobi, for instance, children walking to school face a lack of sidewalks, few pedestrian crossings and high-speed traffic. Kenya’s capital has tried lowering speed limits in certain zones, but more needs to be done to create child-friendly transportation. Child-friendly streets with wide sidewalks, lower speed limits and pedestrian zones, like those in Kigali, Rwanda, show that safety-focused planning benefits everyone. Shouldn’t every African city make safe streets a priority?
Access to Healthcare and Education Shouldn’t Be So Hard
It’s not just play areas that are lacking; basic services are often too far for many families to access easily.
In Kibera, one of Kenya’s informal settlements, things like healthcare facilities and schools are often far from where people live. Research shows that when children can’t easily reach healthcare or education, they miss out on crucial support for their growth and well-being. Cities need to decentralize essential services and make it easier for families to access clinics, schools and early childhood centers within their neighborhoods.
Building child-friendly cities is not just good for children but also for everyone. Safe, walkable areas, green spaces and accessible services improve the lives of the elderly, the disabled and even tourists.
For example, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, pedestrian zones and cycle paths benefit residents and encourage healthier lifestyles. Studies show that when cities prioritize children’s needs, it leads to cleaner air, reduced crime and greater social cohesion. If child-friendly designs can improve life in Addis Ababa, imagine the impact across the rest of Africa.
Giving Children a Voice in City Planning
The best way to create child-friendly cities is to involve children in the planning process. When Nairobi started the “Our Kid Our Say” project, children were invited to voice their ideas about how to make their city better and their input led to new initiatives for safer school routes and local play areas. By asking children directly, city planners gain insight into what children really need to feel safe, happy and empowered in their cities.
So why don’t more cities across Africa do this?
Why Aren’t We Taking Action?
Africa’s cities are growing fast and they’re full of young people with boundless potential. Yet, by failing to make cities work for children, we’re holding back this future generation. Instead of just building more roads and high-rises, let’s build safer streets, accessible services and plenty of green spaces where children can thrive.
We have the chance to transform our cities into safe, inclusive spaces that support every resident, especially our children. When children feel valued, included and safe in their urban spaces, they grow into adults who are connected to their communities and invested in their future.
So, let’s get serious about building child-friendly cities in Africa. After all, they’re the future and so are our cities.
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