Embarking on an urban adventure

Children leading co-design for revolutionizing urban spaces in Prishtinë/Priština, Kosovo*

Do children in Prishtinë/Priština a have access to public spaces to interact, play, socialize? What kind of public spaces would they like to have access to? What are the characteristics of public spaces that motivate children to spend time in them? What kind of urban furniture do they prefer?

Visualize Prishtinë/Priština, a city in a constant state of transformation. Its vibrant cafe-lined streets prioritize cars, making it difficult for pedestrians to navigate through this dynamic urban setting. Yet, in the midst of this lively scene, a crucial element often goes unnoticed—the needs of its youngest inhabitants, especially those of older children. Spaces for youngsters that should ignite active play, social interaction, and exploration, fostering overall well-being and promoting physical fitness are a particularly rare find in the city. 

Fortunately, an innovative co-design pilot movement has been underway – orchestrated for and by the very children yearning for these spaces! Fueled by children’s insights, professional data exploration, and a touch of artificial intelligence tools, the design process of the spaces goes beyond conventional participatory planning; it’s a voyage to shape the very essence of a community. This bold co-designing with children journey is what unified the City Experiment Fund (CEF) and the Healthier Kosovo 2 projects, two distinct entities under UNDP, converging in an innovative partnership. On top of that, the Department of Public Spaces and Parks, within the Municipality of Prishtinë/Priština, has been a steadfast supporter throughout the whole co-design journey.

Children aged 10-17, each representing their schools through Children Councils appointed by the Municipality of Prishtinë/Priština, participated in a series of brainstorming sessions, design roundtables and AI testing workshops facilitated by SpaceSyntaks and Save the Children. Participants were selected to ensure diversity and representation from different backgrounds and perspectives.

The intense co-design process was actively led by the children’s key needs and challenges and leveraging on the gathered insights and identified potentials to translate their vision of child-friendly public spaces. As co-designers, the idea was to involve children as equal participants throughout all stages of co-design, fostering methods of self-expression that encourage comfort and creativity. This approach enabled them to contribute to the process as experts of their own spaces. 

Children’s needs for Green Outdoor Socializing Spaces

The one thing that all the children came to agree on was the lack of child-friendly public spaces; open spaces that allow them to create meaningful experiences, learn and socialize. Furthermore, there was a notable concern among girl children regarding safety and the need for more privacy while socializing, an insight that emerged during the brainstorming sessions.

“We have very limited green spaces. There is not a single suitable public space near my school, where my friends and I would go to socialize or work on joint school projects. The current spaces available are either for little children or adults. Instead, we always end up going to somebody’s house, which is not always the most convenient solution,” expressed Anila Ajeti, 14-year-old participant from ‘Shkendija’ school, Hajvalia/Ajvalija.

• 

• 

“I love nature. Learning in an open environment motivates me and increases my productivity. Having open green spaces would help me in many ways, importantly, it would help me socialize and reduce screen time,” shared Enea Kadriu, 13-year-old participant from Xhavit Ahmeti school, Kolovica/Kojlovica.

With children’s perspectives in mind and their experience with public spaces, workshops were meticulously designed to help them identify the most suitable locations, frame their visions, understand the environmental impact of their proposals, make informed design choices, and most importantly, educate them on the significance of inclusive spaces that best serve humans with different abilities and interests.

Following site selection, the children engaged in public space visioning, presentations, and feedback sessions. Subsequently, they actively participated in translating their visions into concrete designs for the pre-selected public spaces. Furthermore, the approach involved children actively utilizing the creation of mood boards, aided by the integration of an AI platform and an interactive co-design tool specifically designed to facilitate participatory planning. The children collaborated closely with skilled professionals experienced in child-centered design and urban planning. Even though new to children, this AI platform captured the creative potential of children and teenagers, augmenting their visions into tangible designs while considering safety, environment implications and social inclusion. 

• 

• 

From Visions to Possibilities: Children Leading Prishtinë/Priština Urban Transformation

During the Final Evaluation Workshop children had the opportunity to assess and evaluate the design proposals created by professional designers. These proposals were crafted based on the input gathered during the six-month inclusive co-design process, where children contributed in several ways including with their ideas and preferences. As a result, three proposals for child friendly public spaces in three different locations in Prishtinë/Priština got finalized.

The UNDP office in Kosovo has initiated the implementation of two of the finalized designs, marking the beginning of an urban transformation process. This endeavor aims to breathe life into the imaginative visions crafted by the children. Consequently, two innovative child-friendly spaces will be woven into the urban fabric enhancing the urban landscape of Prishtinë/Priština with pioneering settings meticulously designed to cater to the needs and aspirations of its youngest residents.

In the pursuit of creating child-friendly urban spaces, three distinct design proposals have been meticulously crafted, each strategically situated within the location to respect its unique attributes. These proposals aim to seamlessly blend child-friendly urban furniture into the existing landscape while adding a touch of wonder and excitement.

In Design 1, the emphasis lies on providing an intimate setting with two different locations of the urban fabric. The structure encompasses a circular seating arrangement for games and gatherings, swings for playful interactions, and seating with tables for smaller group learning or socializing sessions.

Design 2 focuses on an open green space at the heart of Pristina, offering opportunities for outdoor cultural activities like open-air theatre, cinema screenings, and collaborative music creation. Situated near schools and a local bus station, this rectangular area will be transformed into a vibrant hub. It features carefully curated furniture that enhance the environment’s aesthetic appeal and sustainability. Safety measures and eco-friendly materials are core considerations in these designs, ensuring that the spaces are both inviting and environmentally responsible.

Within this co-design framework, the CEF, established by UNDP Kosovo and the Slovak Ministry of Finance, is focused on catalyzing experimental urban projects. One such project, in collaboration with the Municipality of Prishtinë/Priština, addresses the scarcity of child-friendly spaces. By engaging children, utilizing behavioral insights and data, and leveraging innovative tech like AI, this initiative empowers young participants to reshape their urban environment with a health and well-being focus.

Originally published on UNDP Kosovo Exposure

Simultaneously, the Healthier Kosovo 2 Project—a joint initiative implemented by the UNDP, WHO, and UNV, and funded by the Government of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg—has a core mission. It aims to contribute to the reduction of environment-related issues while raising awareness among local Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and influencing policymaking through innovative solutions.

*References to Kosovo shall be understood to be in the context of Security Council Resolution 1244 (1999)