MANILA, Philippines ? We?ve heard of pedestrian-friendly cities, disabled-friendly cities and bicycle-friendly cities. What about child-friendly cities? The fact that people are not even aware of it probably means people assume that our cities are child-friendly.

Take your typical fast-food restaurant. Most of them provide playgrounds for children. What about department stores, with their dizzying array of clothing, toys, and devices all meant for children? They all give the impression that our communities are children-friendly.

In reality, it is disturbing to learn that many of the world?s cities are extremely hostile to children?s most basic needs and are anything but child-friendly, and that includes Metro Manila.

We are lucky that our population pyramid is heavy in the ages of infancy and childhood. There is more reason that we should make our cities child-friendly. Truly, children are a sign of God?s faith in humankind.

Child-friendly city

What do we mean when we say that a city or community is child-friendly? It is a city that aims to meet children?s need for exercise, clean air and safe open spaces for running, playing and interacting with other children.

The world is adult-oriented and children?s opportunity to play with other children is quite limited to the school environment. We seem to forget that children develop their creativity, muscular dexterity, social skills and emotional sensitivity through play.

In some developed countries today, parents just push a tray of food through the door of the child?s room because the child is in front of the computer seven to eight hours every day especially during summer vacation.

Another story

What the child learns from the computer is quite another story. It definitely takes away time to interact with persons and limits the child?s growth in emotional intelligence and intellectual exchange with other persons. Yes he obtains information depth from the computer, but there is no substitute for discussion.

And yet if the child lives in a condominium building, what choice does he/she have given a very small garden amenity in the building, and security issues?

It is now a well-known fact that children?s stress levels are significantly affected when their room has a view of nature.

Another concern is bullying in many schools. Manila was rated years ago as the bullying capital in Southeast Asia, with double the number of bullied children than in Singapore or Kuala Lumpur in a survey done with parents.

Are the lack of play opportunities and the excessive use of computers the reasons for anxiety, stress and anti-social behavior in children?

Traffic-calming treatments in green cities have a positive impact on child?s play. Ninety percent of the residents of Freiburg, the greenest city in the world, live in 30-kilometer-per-hour communities.

Their parking buildings are located away from their houses and this makes the place very safe and conducive to play for children.

Streets are designed with landscaped curves to make motorists slow down. Bicycle paths and natural reserve areas are plentiful and promote ecological living.

Young people are given a place in proactive cooperation in their districts. The young are involved in energy-saving and ecology awareness activities.

A clean, safe and inexpensive city tram system will dramatically decrease the number of cars on the road. Efficient transportation links close to residential areas will also help calm traffic. Many say a city is as good as its transportation network.

Is it true that the air in downtown Manila is four times the tolerable level? A big chunk of carbon emissions come from vehicular traffic. Also, while many suffer from lack of clean water, broken water pipes on major thoroughfares are not immediately fixed and give passersby a feeling of helplessness and dismay.

Let us look at our urban development also from the perspective of the needs of growing children. A healthy and balanced urban climate not only for adults but for children as well, is now a greater challenge in the context of changing climate.

For comments or inquiries, e-mail amadodejesus@gmail.com