children and young people can appear “out of place” in spaces and places predominantly designed and defined by adults

approach that has been designed to remove young people from certain public areas is a device called the Mosquito

many adults and also many young people themselves are intimidated when large groups of young people congregate in public spaces

children themselves are often seen as being at risk when they are in public spaces

Depending on how people conceptualise children and childhood will depend on whether they are seen as a threat or at risk in public spaces

childhood is a social construction that changes across both time and place

The term public space suggests all citizens are free to use the spaces as they wish

In more general terms public spaces could include libraries, streets, public parks, transit systems etc

young children have the least access to public space due to their age limitations

children’s play spaces are becoming increasingly consumer orientated and commercialised according to Cook (2003)

Netherlands and Denmark attempts have been made to integrate children’s needs into the design of public spaces. For example they have created home zones which have been designed to address the concerns of children’s safety and health when using public space

There has been many changes across the UK in the design of public space to support the development of home zones

On the other hand, government is trying to reduce antisocial behaviour by redesigning certain public spaces to discourage unwanted activities

Urban spaces were being redesigned to appeal to both the social and educational needs of young people

many organisations such as charities, schools, and think tanks are now trying to promote the rights of children and young people to be involved and participate in urban design

Tonkiss (2005) suggests that many people actually admire and encourage young people’s ability to be creative, negotiate and make use of public space thus, romanticising and exaggerating their positive effects

parents are also struggling with setting boundaries and monitoring their own children’s use of public spaces

On one hand age limits are set to make certain public spaces acceptable for young children and toddlers during the day which in turn become unacceptable for teenagers in the evening especially away from adult supervision

Many children are unfortunate enough to have to use the streets as a place to work live and sleep

Women and men can also have different experiences in public space