Aberdeen City Council has pursued a longterm strategy of making planning more childfriendly by integrating youth participation across core development projects. Over more than a decade, the Council has shifted from token consultation to deeper, ongoing engagement, creating a culture that treats children as active stakeholders in city planning. The TCPA is having a closer look at the implementation of this strategy using the “Beach Masterplan”. This project has shown the positive outcomes of involving children and young people in the planning process and making them an active part of city planning.  

One important element is the Young Ambassadors program: a group of children and young people who now play ongoing roles in consultations, presenting to city bodies, codesigning animations about city life, and monitoring how their input is reflected in built outcomes. They take care to involve children of all ages and capabilities, giving every child a place to speak up regardless of their circumstances. The Council strives to ensure that the involved children and young people are being kept up-to-date with decisions regarding the project, and their continuous involvement in planning and the decision-making processes, has children and young people gain real experience and visibility. 

Aberdeen Council stresses that child and youth friendly planning is not a one-time only thing. They are building a culture of creativity, engagement and respect. Other projects are the “City Centre Masterplan” where they seek to involve children and young people in the same way as they have done for the “Beach Masterplan”, drawing from what they have learned during this project.  

Read the full TCPA article here.