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Enhancing Children's Participation in Creating Child-Friendly Cities in Iran: Barriers and Solutions

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Title: Enhancing Children's Participation in Creating Child-Friendly Cities in Iran: Barriers and Solutions
Language: English
Authors: Shima Taheri (ORCID 0000-0003-2270-7026), Amirhosein Shabani (ORCID 0000-0002-8033-1103), Negar Shaabani Sichani
Source: Health Education. 2025 125(3):316-332.
Availability: Emerald Publishing Limited. Howard House, Wagon Lane, Bingley, West Yorkshire, BD16 1WA, UK. Tel: +44-1274-777700; Fax: +44-1274-785201; e-mail: emerald@emeraldinsight.com; Web site: http://www.emerald.com/insight
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 17
Publication Date: 2025
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Children, Participation, Barriers, Urban Planning, Cooperative Planning, Sense of Belonging, Responsibility, Legal Responsibility, Knowledge Level, Social Influences, Political Issues, Educational Policy, Costs
Geographic Terms: Iran
DOI: 10.1108/HE-08-2024-0092
ISSN: 0965-4283
1758-714X
Abstract: Purpose: The purpose of this study is to identify and analyze the barriers to children's participation in urban planning in Isfahan, Iran, and to propose solutions for overcoming these obstacles. By understanding these challenges, the study aims to enhance the effectiveness of child-friendly urban planning initiatives, ensuring that children's voices are heard and integrated into the planning process. This research contributes to the development of more inclusive and participatory urban environments for children in developing countries. Design/methodology/approach: We employed a mixed-methods approach to identify barriers to children's participation in urban planning in Isfahan. Quantitative data were collected from 241 children using questionnaires, and qualitative insights were gathered from ten urban planners through semi-structured interviews. The Friedman test was used for statistical comparison, while thematic analysis, following Brown and Clarke's coding process, was applied to qualitative data. This approach allowed us to identify six main groups of barriers and propose essential solutions for enhancing child-friendly urban planning. Findings: In the quantitative section, Districts 5 and 14 show high levels of sense of belonging and responsibility toward the place (District 5: 88.2% and District 14: 74.8%). However, the lack of legal support (District 5: 45.2% and District 14: 56.7%) and lack of awareness of urban planning (District 5: 55.9% and District 14: 52.7%) were identified as significant barriers to participation. In the qualitative section, 41 subthemes and six main themes were identified. The study identified six main categories of barriers to children's participation in child-friendly urban planning: educational, social, legal, political, urban planning and design and allocation of financial resources. Key solutions included integrating policies, ensuring practical participation, providing resources, creating child-friendly spaces and events, increasing awareness and training children's rights and citizenship and establishing monitoring organizations. Originality/value: This study is pioneering in its comprehensive examination of barriers to children's participation in urban planning within the context of a developing country, specifically Isfahan, Iran. By employing a mixed-methods approach and involving both children and urban planners, the research provides a nuanced understanding of the challenges and actionable solutions. The findings offer valuable insights for policymakers, urban planners and researchers aiming to create more inclusive and child-friendly urban environments, contributing significantly to the field of urban planning and child rights.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2025
Accession Number: EJ1468532
Database: ERIC
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  Data: Enhancing Children's Participation in Creating Child-Friendly Cities in Iran: Barriers and Solutions
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Shima+Taheri%22">Shima Taheri</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2270-7026">0000-0003-2270-7026</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Amirhosein+Shabani%22">Amirhosein Shabani</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8033-1103">0000-0002-8033-1103</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Negar+Shaabani+Sichani%22">Negar Shaabani Sichani</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Health+Education%22"><i>Health Education</i></searchLink>. 2025 125(3):316-332.
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  Data: Emerald Publishing Limited. Howard House, Wagon Lane, Bingley, West Yorkshire, BD16 1WA, UK. Tel: +44-1274-777700; Fax: +44-1274-785201; e-mail: emerald@emeraldinsight.com; Web site: http://www.emerald.com/insight
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  Data: 17
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Foreign+Countries%22">Foreign Countries</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Children%22">Children</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Participation%22">Participation</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Barriers%22">Barriers</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Urban+Planning%22">Urban Planning</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Cooperative+Planning%22">Cooperative Planning</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Sense+of+Belonging%22">Sense of Belonging</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Responsibility%22">Responsibility</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Legal+Responsibility%22">Legal Responsibility</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Knowledge+Level%22">Knowledge Level</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Social+Influences%22">Social Influences</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Political+Issues%22">Political Issues</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Educational+Policy%22">Educational Policy</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Costs%22">Costs</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Iran%22">Iran</searchLink>
– Name: DOI
  Label: DOI
  Group: ID
  Data: 10.1108/HE-08-2024-0092
– Name: ISSN
  Label: ISSN
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  Data: 0965-4283<br />1758-714X
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: Purpose: The purpose of this study is to identify and analyze the barriers to children's participation in urban planning in Isfahan, Iran, and to propose solutions for overcoming these obstacles. By understanding these challenges, the study aims to enhance the effectiveness of child-friendly urban planning initiatives, ensuring that children's voices are heard and integrated into the planning process. This research contributes to the development of more inclusive and participatory urban environments for children in developing countries. Design/methodology/approach: We employed a mixed-methods approach to identify barriers to children's participation in urban planning in Isfahan. Quantitative data were collected from 241 children using questionnaires, and qualitative insights were gathered from ten urban planners through semi-structured interviews. The Friedman test was used for statistical comparison, while thematic analysis, following Brown and Clarke's coding process, was applied to qualitative data. This approach allowed us to identify six main groups of barriers and propose essential solutions for enhancing child-friendly urban planning. Findings: In the quantitative section, Districts 5 and 14 show high levels of sense of belonging and responsibility toward the place (District 5: 88.2% and District 14: 74.8%). However, the lack of legal support (District 5: 45.2% and District 14: 56.7%) and lack of awareness of urban planning (District 5: 55.9% and District 14: 52.7%) were identified as significant barriers to participation. In the qualitative section, 41 subthemes and six main themes were identified. The study identified six main categories of barriers to children's participation in child-friendly urban planning: educational, social, legal, political, urban planning and design and allocation of financial resources. Key solutions included integrating policies, ensuring practical participation, providing resources, creating child-friendly spaces and events, increasing awareness and training children's rights and citizenship and establishing monitoring organizations. Originality/value: This study is pioneering in its comprehensive examination of barriers to children's participation in urban planning within the context of a developing country, specifically Isfahan, Iran. By employing a mixed-methods approach and involving both children and urban planners, the research provides a nuanced understanding of the challenges and actionable solutions. The findings offer valuable insights for policymakers, urban planners and researchers aiming to create more inclusive and child-friendly urban environments, contributing significantly to the field of urban planning and child rights.
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RecordInfo BibRecord:
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      – Type: doi
        Value: 10.1108/HE-08-2024-0092
    Languages:
      – Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 17
        StartPage: 316
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Foreign Countries
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Children
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Participation
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Barriers
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      – SubjectFull: Urban Planning
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      – SubjectFull: Cooperative Planning
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      – SubjectFull: Sense of Belonging
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      – SubjectFull: Responsibility
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      – SubjectFull: Legal Responsibility
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      – SubjectFull: Knowledge Level
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Social Influences
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      – SubjectFull: Political Issues
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Educational Policy
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      – SubjectFull: Costs
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Iran
        Type: general
    Titles:
      – TitleFull: Enhancing Children's Participation in Creating Child-Friendly Cities in Iran: Barriers and Solutions
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            NameFull: Negar Shaabani Sichani
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              Y: 2025
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