Making a framework (app) to include children in the planningsing process. Mapping ther use of urban environment and travel preferences.
A primary school and a secondary school were invited to participate in a participatory activity in a plan for green mobility. A 6th grade and a 9th grade used an app and registered a journey from the school and to a specified place in the municipality. Along the itinerary they should observe and record their experience of the journey.
Each point was recorded in the app on a map, and it was possible to post comment, picture and video to the point.
The registrations were analyzed, and the students gathered half a day where they received information on green mobility, were presented with the results of their registrations and participated in competition with proposals for future environmentally friendly travel solutions in the municipality. These were reviewed by a jury and the best proposal was awarded with cinema tickets. The activity was conducted during school hours or as a lesson. The registrations were made along two stretches which involved several route choices and over partly trafficked areas because the municipality wanted feedback on which route young people choose and how they experienced traffic situations and surroundings. The municipality has previously carried out child registrations manually, but wanted to test out the app, among other things to gain experience in order to use it for children, young people and other age groups.
Overview of all participation activities in the work on the plan for green mobility plan.
Resources needed
Annual license app - € 1900
Visits in two classes. (1 hour + 2 hours preparation for 2 people) - € 400
Analysis and presentation of results (12 hours) - € 400
Human resources - € 2200
Evidence of success
The input from this activities has largely contributed to the development and design of the final plan in the municipality. The children pidentified areas they used and mobility patterns, resulting the municipality to add actions to improve pedestrian crossings, quality of public space.
The local council allocated extra money for benches, and we went back to one school to get specific suggestions on where they wanted them. The result is that several benches are placed where it was a need.
Potential for learning or transfer
The activity with the schools showed that children and young people are concerned about traffic safety and where they walk and cycle. Furthermore, the app is used regulary for "security walks". It is a survey method for securing pedestrian safety and crime prevention. The methode is based on the esperience from the work with the children, but with a broader range of actors; residents, businesses, elected officials, police and employees in the municipality. Actors come together and evaluate areas in terms of trafic safety and crime prevention.
The experience of using the schools was important in planning and implementing the safety walks.
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Tags: Urban, Youth, Mobility, Engagement
