Save the Children UK

The paper explores children’s and young people’s views and experience of public space. It draws on qualitative research with children and young people aged ten to 14 years and adults from local organisations in a disadvantaged urban area in Scotland in order to consider whether children’s perspectives are taken into account in public policy. It puts this into context by considering current policy interventions at national and local level which impact on children’s and young people’s use of public space. Children’s and young people’s experience demonstrates that their use of space ranges across dedicated play and leisure space as well as other informal areas within their community. Their use of public space is frequently contested, manifesting itself in conflict with other members of the community. This paper therefore argues for more constructive engagement with children and young people in the regeneration of their communities