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Children Speak Out on Local Conditions in Johannesburg

Abstract

This article summarizes a four-site study within the process to transform Greater Johannesburg into a child-friendly city. Applying the Growing Up in Cities model of UNESCO, it presents the voices of 10- through 14-year olds in four diverse but representative areas of the city as they describe their use of their local environments, the problems they face, and their own priorities for making Johannesburg a better city in which to grow up. Based on the children’s experiences, a number of program and policy responses are recommended, many of which will be relevant to other cities as well.