Wie können wir Städte gestalten, in denen sich Kinder sicher, gehört und willkommen fühlen? Unser letzter message.TALKS widmete sich der Frage, wie kindergerechte Stadtplanung und kinderfreundliches Design gelingen können. Unser virtueller Frühstücksgast war diesmal Urban Planner Mustafa Sherif, live zugeschaltet aus Helsingborg, Schweden. Ergänzt wurde der Talk durch ein praxisnahes Projekt aus der message-Kreativküche.

Wir haben das Gespräch für Sie zusammengefasst. Den Mitschnitt zum Talk finden Sie hier.

Designing Child-friendly Places

In our recent message.TALK, we explored one of the most human-centred questions in city development: How do we design places that truly work for children – and by extension, for everyone?

To guide us through this topic, we invited Mustafa Sherif, urban planner at AFRY Stockholm, placemaking expert, and host of the Urbanistica Podcast. We first met Mustafa at the PLACExNordics Conference in Uppsala and were so inspired by his talk that we invited him to share his ideas with our Austrian community.

Shifting from car-oriented to people-oriented cities

The story of our cities is also the story of shifting priorities. For much of the 20th century, urban planning focused on infrastructure, efficiency, separation of functions – all planned around the car. Using the example of Rosengård in Malmö, Mustafa illustrates the long-term social effects of car-centric urban design: division, isolation, even rising crime rates in areas cut off by highways.

But a shift is happening. Cities are embracing the idea of integration over segregation, building more compact, accessible spaces. The concept of the 15-minute city – where everything you need is within walking or cycling distance – is not just about convenience. It’s about mental health, safety, social connection, and inclusion. Especially for children.

What does child-friendly really mean?

According to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, a child is any person under 18. That includes a huge diversity of needs, preferences, and stages of development. With around 2.4 billion children worldwide, more than one billion of them living in cities, the question is not whether they deserve a voice but how we include them in the process.

In 2020 Sweden made it mandatory to put children’s best interests at the centre of planning. That includes everything from the location of a parking garage to the design of a schoolyard.

Cities as learning environments

Mustafa emphasized that children learn more outdoors than indoors – cognitively, socially, and physically. Cities are not just spaces for transit and consumption, they are spaces where children grow, learn and develop. If we design our cities with children in mind, we create environments that support the wellbeing of everyone.

But making spaces child-friendly requires a shift in how we plan. Instead of linear “design–approval–execution” processes, we need co-creative methods where users including children are involved from the very beginning.

From Stockholm to Milan: examples of child-friendly design

Mustafa shared concrete examples of how cities can become more inclusive for children. In Orionparken, Sigtuna, children and families were engaged early in a public space redesign process. Together they explored what worked and what didn’t and proposed ideas for change.

In Nacka, Stockholm, public art was used as a tool for engagement. Along Wall Street Nacka, several colourful installations created identity, interaction, and curiosity – making the area more playful for all ages.

The Nybohovsbacken kindergarten yard in Stockholm was designed by AFRY with children’s different needs in mind. It featured unprogrammed areas with interesting colours and flexible functions, offering three zones:

• Onstage areas for active play
• Offstage areas for quieter play nearby
• Backstage zones for rest, conversation, or watching

This logic allows children to choose how they engage with space and allows for inclusive play regardless of personality or age.

In Piazza Dergano, Milan, a parking lot was transformed into a vibrant, family-friendly square with greenery, colour, and no cars. The project was co-designed with residents and shows how simple design changes can shift how people use and feel in a space.

And in Helsingborg, the city took a bold, strategic approach: investing in thematic playgrounds across different districts – not just in central or wealthier areas. These became micro-destinations for families, breaking down social segregation and encouraging urban exploration. Kindergartens started organising trips to visit the new playgrounds, and children in turn brought their families there. The city became more connected through play.

Storytelling, co-creation and trust

One powerful insight Mustafa shared is that involving children isn’t just about gathering ideas. It’s about respecting their time and voice. Children need to understand what their input means, what will happen next, and why it might take time. If that’s not communicated, projects can lead to disappointment.

That’s why Mustafa sees urban planners as facilitators, not just designers. And why collaboration with communicators, educators, and local institutions is crucial. Trust is built through storytelling, consistency, and transparency.

Teens4Change Korneuburg – exploring a more sustainable lifestyle

As a practical Austrian example, we at message presented Teens4Change Korneuburg – a participatory project involving local teenagers. Over the course of one month, they explored how to live more sustainably in their own city.

One group focused on sustainable food choices, exploring regional and seasonal products. Another committed to a meat-free diet. The third rethought fashion through second-hand shopping and clothes swapping.

They documented their journey on Instagram, reached over 6,000 people, and presented their findings to the city’s mayor. Local media picked up their story. The impact wasn’t just digital – it was personal. Many of the teens said the experience changed their habits and gave them the confidence to speak up on issues they care about.

We learned that young people need flexible support, appropriate communication channels (Hello, I am using WhatsApp!), and space to experiment. But if you trust them with real responsibility, they will surprise you.

Dive deeper & get in contact

You can find the presentation slides (PDF) from the talk right here. Or you can dive deeper by listening to the Urbanistica Podcast. Also, dont´t forget to connect with Mustafa on LinkedIn!

About Mustafa Sherif
Mustafa is an urban planner, designer, and placemaker. He holds a master’s degree in Urban Planning & Design from the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH) in Stockholm and Politecnico di Milano. He is the studio manager of the Urban Planning & Design studio at AFRY Stockholm, focusing on creating cities for children and people of all ages.

Mustafa has received several honors and awards, including the Swedish Architects‘ Association Award and the Jane Jacobs Lecture Award.