Children's independent spatial mobility in the urban public realm

This article examines children's spatial mobility in urban settings. Throug h data from a study of children living in contrasting urban environments Lo ndon and a lower-density new town, the article focuses on how children move around in the public realm. The data show that there are significant varia tions in how contemporary children use their public spaces. Children's free dom to move around their neighbourhood was greatest in the new town. Girls and minority ethnic children were more restricted in their use of urban spa ce. Comparison with previous research suggests a decrease in independent us e of public space for 10/11-year-old English children since the 1970s. It i s argued that future debate about children's place in the city should move away from 'the unitary public child'. Lack of attention to the different wa ys children use their cities will hinder advances in social policies design ed to enhance participation for all children.