From playgrounds to placemakers
When I became a parent, I found myself reflecting more deeply on the world my child would inherit. As someone fascinated by urban change, design, and environmental advocacy, I found myself asking questions not just about the cities we inhabit but the ways in which young people, my son included, might encounter urban environments and shape them themselves. How do we teach young people to not only survive in a world facing climate change but to enjoy life as kaitiaki of its future?
These reflections led me to explore the intersection of environmental education and placemaking, especially with youth. In an age of ecological crisis and social disconnection, empowering young people to reimagine and reshape their environments might be one of the most important steps we can take.
The urgency of environmental education
Climate change isn’t a distant problem but a visceral present one. Temperatures are rising and we are seeing more extreme wildfires, weather events amd biodiversity loss than ever before and these phenomena are reshaping our landscapes and lives. Urban areas, which house more than half the global population, are at the center of this change. They’re also where thoughtful ideas from communities could bring about lasting change.
Environmental education equips young people with the knowledge to understand these challenges and the tools to address them. It should go beyond teaching solely about understandably important processes like melting ice caps or carbon footprints to foster a sense of connection to the natural world, an understanding of local ecosystems, and the belief that individuals can make a difference.
This is where placemaking—a collaborative process to reimagine public spaces—can become a powerful tool. By engaging youth in placemaking initiatives, we can hopefully inspire education to turn info future activism. It’s not just about learning the facts of sustainability, inclusivity and resilience; it’s about designing and creating spaces that reflect those values.
Why young people?
Young people bring fresh perspectives and energy to the table, and they have a unique stake in the outcomes of environmental and urban planning decisions. Engaging them early fosters lifelong habits and skills. Importantly, it also provides a counterbalance to the cynicism that adults sometimes carry.
Research shows that youth-led placemaking can amplify voices often excluded from urban planning processes. Whether planting pollinator gardens, designing eco-friendly parklets, or reimagining vacant lots, young participants bring creative solutions that resonate with their peers and communities.
On top of this, involving youth in environmental placemaking helps cultivate a sense of ownership over their neighborhoods. This empowerment can lead to lasting civic engagement and even inspire future careers in design, urban planning, or environmental advocacy.
Successful approaches
The most effective youth placemaking projects are those that combine hands-on learning with community collaboration.
Interdisciplinary approaches: Projects that weave art, science and storytelling often resonate most. For instance, creating murals that depict local ecosystems can both beautify spaces and teach ecological principles.
Using technology as a tool: Using GIS mapping or augmented reality tools can make projects engaging while teaching valuable technical skills.
Participatory design approaches: Actively involving youth in decision-making processes ensures the spaces reflect their needs and visions.
Long-term support: Beyond one-off events, sustained mentorship and funding help ensure ideas come to fruition.
Ripple effects
I believe the benefits of integrating environmental education with placemaking can go far beyond the immediate project. Young people can gain confidence, teamwork skills, and a sense of agency. Communities are strengthened as residents come together to support these initiatives. Urban spaces become greener and more vibrant.
For cities facing challenges like high vacancy rates or a lack of cohesion, youth-led projects can be a catalyst for broader change. Imagine a struggling downtown revitalized by green roofs, pollinator pathways, and spaces co-designed by the very people who will inherit them.
The implications for urban design
For urban planners and designers, these initiatives carry a clear message: design with, not for. Young people’s involvement pushes us to think beyond traditional models of urban development towards more innovative and diverse approaches; young people are often not the people attending resource consent hearings yet have an important stake in the development of cities.
Designing spaces that are adaptable, inclusive, and resilient to environmental change is highly important. For example, flexible-use spaces that can serve as gathering spots, classrooms, and gardens reflect the layered needs of communities. Incorporating nature into the urban fabric—such as bioswales, native plantings, and accessible green spaces—should no longer be a luxury but a standard.
My journey as a father and advocate
As I watch my son discover the world, I’m reminded of the power of curiosity and play—the very qualities we must protect in the spaces we create. Parenthood has deepened my commitment to fostering environments where young people can flourish, not just as inhabitants but as architects of their futures.
By weaving environmental education and placemaking into the imaginations of youth we’re not just addressing climate change or revitalizing neighborhoods, we’re nurturing a generation ready to lead us into a more sustainable, equitable future and empowering then with the skills to shape their urban environments.