Kids Appreciate Urbanism
A Gathering for the Best Urbanists under 18
The next time you're at the park, take a closer look. Not just at the giggles and games, but at the civic life kids are modeling.
How do they share space?
Who leads and who listens?
How do they make space for the younger ones?
How are ideas negotiated and new games invented?
What kind of world are they imagining?
And who gets included?
This is the stuff of good urbanism.
We often talk about how to raise kids to become active citizens, but the truth is they already are. Kids are practicing the skills of community building every day. They’re testing fairness, cooperation, negotiation, and creativity in real time. They build small systems of care and joy faster than most policy processes ever could.
When two kids want the same toy, they find ways to work it out, sometimes on their own, sometimes with a little help. That’s conflict resolution, just like neighbors navigating tough conversations about zoning or housing at a town hall.
When a group of kids decides who will be ‘it’ in tag, they’re experimenting with leadership, choosing roles, rotating responsibility, and setting the tone for the group. That’s not so different from selecting facilitators or committee leads in public meetings.
And when an older kid helps a toddler climb the play structure, that’s mutual aid in action, an everyday example of how we build communities that are accessible and supportive for all.
We want to honor that.
So this fall, CITYBUILDER is launching a new series: Urbanism for Kids. This is a simple, recurring event that will meet at a park, invites families into joy and gives young community builders a chance to shine. We’ll bring snacks, supplies, and conversation starters. You bring your kids (or grandkids, or neighbors, or students), and let’s grow some pro-housing playtime together.
These events are open to all ages, but are designed especially for kids 10 and under to explore urbanism with their adults in tow.
Our first one is happening August 16, 9:30–11:30am at Trinity Park Pavilion in Durham. We'll have coloring books, sidewalk chalk, and activities inspired by walkable cities.
On a personal note, bringing my kids to CITYBUILDER events does two things. First, it lets them see what I actually do. Not just the busy screen time and spreadsheets, but the human part. They see that my work lives in real places, with real people, and that community is something we show up for in person.
Second, it’s about raising kids who know their voice matters. That they don’t have to wait until they’re adults to shape the world around them. They’re already doing it. Kids shape community in how they play, how they share, how they imagine, and how they care for others. These small gestures build the muscles of democracy.
Want to help shape future events?
Be on the lookout, afterward we’ll send out a Substack poll to help choose the next park and time slot. You can also hit reply now and email us directly if you have a good idea. (Yes, Gipson Play Plaza is already on our shortlist).
Because cities aren’t just built with blueprints and zoning codes. They’re built in the joy of the sandbox, on the slide, and under the shade of a big tree.
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