| Summary: | This research project centres around the topics
of participatory planning and community
development. It specifically investigates and
illustrates the contributions of youth through
their participation in initiatives that contribute
to the improvement of the communities in which
they live.
According to the United Nations Human
Settlements and Cities statistics, the global
population has quadrupled since 1950 and
cities of the developing world account for over
ninety percent of the worlds urban growth. The
measures also highlight that the world is also
more youthful. Even as decreasing birth rates
and longer life spans are influencing an overall
trend toward population ageing, in absolute
numbers, there are more people under the age of
25 today than ever, nearly 3 billion or half of the
total global population (UN-Habitat 2007).
The purpose of this project is to address what
planners can do in cities where youth, or those
aged under 25, are the age majority of the urban
population. The research:
• investigates what issues are associated with
such demographic trends
• questions what facilitates successful youth
participation
• questions how local authorities can create
opportunities given this situation
• examines what role physical space can
provide.
A mixed methodology is used to examine and
present one case study of a space called the
One Stop Youth Information Research Centre
(One Stop) which exists in Nairobi, Kenya.
The One Stop is a hub for youth to engage in
cultural and physical activities such as music,
theatre and sports, allowing them to interact
positively with their community and their peers.
The research was conducted in 2006 and 2007
using interviews, site visits, observational
analysis, an architectural study of space and
supplementary data analysis. These were
conducted as part of an internship project with
UN-Habitat. The Once Stop case example is part
of the UN-Habitat Global Partnership Initiative.
At a local level, it has been used as a strategy to
facilitate meaningful youth participation within
local government and community. To introduce
the case study, particular emphasis is given to
existing studies that have investigated youth
empowerment, engagement, participation,
and support mechanisms. The case study
demonstrates how young people have the ability
to take the lead in determining what action
is needed to address the concerns that they
face, and are demonstrating this ability through
meaningful initiatives. It also demonstrates the
passion and energy of young people when they
are engaged in a collaborative effort to bring
about transformation in improving their world.
Underpinning this research is the assertion that
providing a formalised, physical space can be the
fundamental catalyst for positive youth action
and development.
The examples, observations and
recommendations from this project have been
documented for UN-Habitat, and also the Nairobi
City Council, who operationalised this initiative
in Kenya. The findings and profile may also be of
use to other local governments, policy makers,
civil society and those who share a willingness to
take action and generate an investment in youth,
and an interest in reaping the associated rewards
and dividends.
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