From Niche Interventions to System Change: Mainstreaming Child-Centred Urban Planning in Aalborg
Author
Ocansey, Elvis Kartey
Term
4. Term
Publication year
2026
Pages
94
Abstract
Cities are increasingly expected to be planned with children in mind, yet many still prioritise adult needs and car-based mobility. This limits children’s independent mobility, outdoor play, and presence in public space. Child-centred urban planning treats children as active citizens and rights-holders and seeks to embed their needs across the urban system. While these ambitions are visible in policy and governance, they are weakly reflected in the spatial and regulatory tools that shape land use, streets, and public spaces. This thesis asks: How can child-centred urban planning be put into practice and made standard within Aalborg’s planning system and sustainable urban development strategies? Aalborg is a relevant case: the municipality received UNICEF Child-Friendly City certification in 2022 and adopted a Child-Friendly Action Plan. It has strong governance and participation mechanisms, but child-friendly principles are not embedded in the statutory planning instruments that set land use, mobility infrastructure, and public space. The study uses a qualitative, embedded comparative case study with document analysis, semi-structured interviews, and an observation at two contrasting schools (Stigsborg and Skipper Clement). The analysis applies an integrated framework combining the Multi-Level Perspective, Strategic Niche Management, and Children’s Independent Mobility theory. Findings show that in Aalborg, child-centred planning operates as a protected niche—effective in special projects but not the default. Stigsborg demonstrates that integrated, design-led child-friendly planning can deliver strong active-mobility outcomes (such as walking and cycling), but only under exceptional project conditions. The study identifies an institutionalization gap sustained by four linked structural conditions: legally binding car-centred standards; a niche that has produced only first-order learning (improvements without changing underlying rules); a governance-focused child-friendly framework; and the absence of child-specific monitoring. The thesis concludes that closing this gap requires structural changes to the planning system’s rules, standards, coordination mechanisms, and monitoring frameworks—rather than more pilot projects. It presents a sequenced set of recommendations.
Byer forventes i stigende grad at blive planlagt med børn for øje, men mange er stadig indrettet efter voksnes behov og bilbaseret mobilitet. Det begrænser børns selvstændige mobilitet, udeleg og tilstedeværelse i det offentlige rum. Børnecentreret byplanlægning ser børn som aktive borgere og rettighedshavere og vil integrere deres behov på tværs af byens systemer. Selvom ambitionerne fylder i politik og styring, er de svagt forankret i de rumlige og regulative redskaber, der faktisk former arealanvendelse, gader og offentlige rum. Afhandlingen undersøger: Hvordan kan børnecentreret byplanlægning omsættes til praksis og gøres til standard i Aalborgs plansystem og strategier for bæredygtig byudvikling? Aalborg er et relevant case: Kommunen fik UNICEF Børnevenlig By-certificering i 2022 og har en børnevenlig handlingsplan. Der er stærke styrings- og deltagelsesmekanismer, men principperne er ikke indlejret i de bindende planinstrumenter, der fastlægger arealanvendelse, mobilitetsinfrastruktur og offentlige rum. Studiet anvender et kvalitativt, indlejret komparativt casestudie med dokumentanalyse, semistrukturerede interviews og en observation på to kontrasterende skoler (Stigsborg og Skipper Clement). Analysen bygger på en integreret ramme, der kombinerer Multi-Level Perspective, Strategic Niche Management og teori om børns selvstændige mobilitet. Resultaterne viser, at børnecentreret planlægning i Aalborg fungerer som en beskyttet niche—effektiv i særlige projekter, men ikke standardpraksis. Stigsborg demonstrerer, at integreret, designdrevet børnevenlig planlægning kan give stærke resultater for aktiv mobilitet (fx gang og cykling), men kun under særlige projektbetingelser. Afhandlingen identificerer et institutionaliseringsgab, opretholdt af fire indbyrdes forbundne strukturelle forhold: retligt bindende bilcentrerede standarder; en niche, der har skabt førstordenslæring (forbedringer uden grundlæggende regelskifte); en styringsorienteret børnevenlig ramme; og fravær af børnespecifik monitorering. Konklusionen er, at dette gab skal lukkes gennem strukturelle ændringer i regler, standarder, koordineringsmekanismer og monitoreringsrammer i plansystemet—ikke gennem flere pilotprojekter. Afhandlingen fremsætter en sekventeret række anbefalinger.
[This apstract has been rewritten with the help of AI based on the project's original abstract]
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