un beautiful memory of my childhood is when we played outside. I was outside on a tree that had fallen. There were at least ten kids on it, we were sitting on it like that. So we were swinging all day, and ooooooh! And we sang all day… With all the children in the neighborhood”, Julienne, mother of two children aged 2 and 5*
Children who play near their house in a playground, others who go to school alone without their parents worrying, teenage girls who stop in a green space on their way to school. returning home without fear of harassment, being able to relieve themselves in public toilets rather than hiding behind bushes, cycling more often than just during Car Free Day… This is the city that many dream of for their children. A dream far from reality! Despite its vitality and youth, Brussels does not offer a healthy urban environment, respectful of children’s rights. And yet, 22% of the Brussels population is under 18 years old.
“I have three children, one of whom is still in a stroller, but I only have two hands. It’s hard to keep them close to me. I’m constantly afraid of cars, trams… by the time I get home from school, I’m exhausted, I’d rather go home than go through the park. » Fatima, mother of three children, Jette.
Professionals in the childcare sector note that children and young people spend less and less time outside, which leads to various harmful consequences: disintegration of social bonds, serious physical and mental health problems. linked to a sedentary lifestyle, air pollution and increased stress, failure to learn about risks, lack of self-confidence, etc.
“I feel like I spend my time cutting off my children’s momentum – yelling at them, ‘Don’t run! Stay close to me! Stop!” It’s tiring and unpleasant. » Camille, mother of two children, Saint-Gilles.
There are several reasons why children and young people are becoming more and more homebodies. Firstly, the feeling of insecurity on the roads. Indeed, road traffic is one of the main reasons for the reduction in the time spent by children outside and the loss of their autonomy. In dense neighborhoods, few families own a car. The automobile nevertheless takes a preponderant place and enters directly into competition with children in public spaces. It is most often in these same neighborhoods that we observe mediocre or even poor air quality as well as a lack of private outdoor spaces (balcony, courtyard or garden), quality public spaces, and in particular attractive green spaces for children and families. We therefore see that the inadequacy and insufficiency of public space in Brussels create problems that cost society, particularly for the most socio-economically vulnerable Brussels families.
These findings go against the rights of the child (particularly articles 6, 12, 13,24 & 31), the International Convention of which was signed and ratified by Belgium. However, these problems could be reduced or even eliminated. The current situation is in no way inevitable, but a question of political choices. It is the responsibility of governments to guarantee children’s right to a healthy and safe environment. Candidates for the next 2024 elections must commit to taking concrete measures at the regional and municipal levels and thus adopt a strong political stance in favor of children and young people in the city.
The city for children: making children’s right to health, safety and participation effective. We, associations from different sectors and citizens, urge public authorities to work on:
– improve what already exists, multiply and adapt green spaces and public spaces to the needs of families, primarily in neighborhoods lacking, and by remedying the low presence of women and girls;
– develop safe, pleasant and accessible infrastructures promoting independent mobility for children and young people and encouraging travel on foot, by stroller, by bicycle;
– reduce the exposure of children to different sources of dangers (particularly linked to automobile traffic and atmospheric pollution);
– integrate the participation of children and young people in public space development projects.
Public space, if accessible and of good quality, is an important lever for improving health, quality of life and living together. Vulnerable people feel safer with the presence of families, thus creating a virtuous circle. A child-sized city therefore has benefits at an individual, collective and societal level, because it becomes welcoming for everyone.
This is why we, associations, have brought together for the elections our proposals in favor of a city which places children and young people at its heart. Investing in the future of our children and young people, in safe streets, resilient to health and climate challenges: this is the purpose of our manifesto.
“What he likes about cycling, I think it’s this freedom of being outside, of getting some fresh air, of going off on his own. I tell him to walk around the yard but he doesn’t want to. He always wants to go far, on the road. I think it’s this idea of going far, of discovering something else. » Julienne, mother of two children aged 2 and 5*
