Team Blitz India
MUMBAI: Two studies on Mumbai’s sustainable and inclusive urban development have highlighted the necessity of incorporating the needs of young children, their caregivers, and pregnant women into city planning.
They propose several key strategies for urban development, such as enhancing green spaces, improving accessibility to early childhood development sites, and establishing childcentric local councils. Additionally, a ‘Master Checklist for Policymakers’ has been developed, offering a framework for inclusive policy development that considers the perspectives of young children and their caregivers.
The studies, titled ‘Young Children and Climate’ and ‘Usage of Public Spaces by Young Children, their Caregivers and Pregnant Women,’ were presented at a workshop conducted by ICLEI South Asia and Imagine Panaji Smart City Development Limited in Panjim, Goa. Amid the backdrop of a pressing climate crisis and evolving urban landscapes, these studies offer a blueprint for crafting urban spaces that prioritise the wellbeing of society’s most vulnerable.
The studies highlight adverse effects of climate change and urban pollution on young children and pregnant women. Findings from Mumbai and other cities suggest the urgent need for climate-adaptive urban planning that safeguards children from environmental hazards. Moreover, the research on public spaces usage across 18 Indian cities, including Mumbai, reveals significant barriers preventing children and their caregivers from accessing safe and inclusive environments.
