Children's participatory design in public spaces in Toluca

A child participation exercise

Abstract

The problem statement focuses on the exclusion of boys and girls in the design of public spaces, despite advancements in promoting their participation. The research objective is to incorporate the perspective of children in the design of public spaces through Participatory Action Research (PAR). The methodology employed includes qualitative methods such as semi-structured interviews and PAR workshops. Preliminary results reveal that children have clear opinions about public spaces and express preferences and concerns. A gender difference in space usage is observed, but both boys and girls show interest in improving the park and making it more inclusive. The willingness of parents and community delegates to engage in the process underscores the importance of considering the voices of children in urban planning to create more livable and equitable environments.