Abstract: The needs of children and young people living in cities are considerable and extend well beyond parks, playgrounds and skateboard facilities, yet when urban planners and designers consider how best to provide for a city’s young residents, these are often the first features that come to mind. Concern for the child, or children, as “users of the city” is gaining currency for a number of reasons, including a shared aspiration among many cities to be more diverse and inclusive, which in this case, calls for children and families to be accommodated. Further, to attract this population to reside in the city— bringing their attendant social, cultural and economic benefits—cities must offer access to appropriate and affordable housing, in proximity to good quality open space, schools, public transport, and a safe and amenable public domain.