BANNERS FOR THE STREET - RECLAIMING SPACE AND DESIGNING CHANGE WITH URBAN YOUTH

This article underscores the importance to childrens' development of u tilizing urban neighborhoods-even problematic ones-as arenas for criti cal learning and intervention. It describes one participatory public a n project undertaken with young people in a low income neighborhood in Holyoke, Massachusetts. The project provided teens with an opportunit y to critically assess and positively revision their neighborhood thro ugh exploratory walks, surveys, discussions, and design activities cha r culminated in the production of colorful banners. In a larger contex t, the article goes on to explore methods to help young people claim a more central place in the life oi their cities and begin to effect en vironmental change. It examines obstacles to such endeavors and consid ers how those in the planning and design professions might help suppor t such efforts.