Future City Makers: Leeds Children Lead Discussion at UKREiiF
Year 6 pupils put decision-makers in the hot seat as they champion child-friendly streets, schools and neighbourhoods
What happens when the people we design our cities for are given the microphone?
At this year's UK Real Estate Investment & Infrastructure Forum (UKREiiF), a pioneering panel session saw primary school children from Leeds take centre stage, chairing a conversation about the future of streets, transport and public spaces. In what is believed to be a first for the event, Year 6 pupils led discussions with industry professionals, demonstrating the power and importance of including children's voices in shaping the places where they live, learn and play.
The session, "Rethinking Place Through a Child-Friendly Lens: Handing the Mic to the Next Generation," brought together six pupils from Beechwood Primary School and Wigton Moor Primary School with experts from planning, transport and local government. Rather than listening from the audience, the children became the interviewers, asking challenging questions and sharing their vision for better neighbourhoods.
The panel formed the culmination of a year-long collaboration, 'Streets & Spaces', between Child Friendly Leeds, Leeds City Council, the Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation (CIHT) Yorkshire and the Humber, and industry partners including PJA, SYSTRA UK & Ireland, Buro Happold and Mott MacDonald.
Over the course of the project, more than 250 children were asked what they would like to see in the streets and spaces around their schools. Their ideas focused on creating safer places to walk and cycle, more opportunities for play, increased greenery and nature, and environments that support children's wellbeing. These ideas were then developed alongside transport planners and engineers, with pupils continuing to provide feedback throughout the design process.
Speaking at the session, representatives from Child Friendly Leeds highlighted the city's ambition to be the best place for children and young people to grow up and the importance of asking a simple question: "What is it like to be a child in Leeds, and how can we make it better?"
The UKREiiF audience witnessed first-hand what meaningful participation looks like as the young panellists confidently questioned professionals about how planning decisions are made and why children's views are not always considered at the earliest stages of development. Their thoughtful questioning challenged delegates to rethink traditional approaches to engagement and demonstrated that young people have valuable insights into the places they use every day.
The session received exceptional feedback from attendees.
Angela Barnicle, Director of City Development, Leeds City Council described it as the standout event of the week, saying:
"Best session of the week! Those interviewers were succinct and got right to the heart of the issues! Their future is safe when in their hands!"
Tom Hall, Active Environments Strategic Lead, echoed the sentiment, praising the pupils' confidence and professionalism:
"By far the best session of the week! I left feeling inspired and look forward to seeing how we can share and connect in with the national active partnerships network"
The overwhelmingly positive response demonstrated the impact of genuinely handing over the platform to young people. Rather than being consulted as an afterthought, the children became active participants in conversations that will influence the future of the city.
The future of our cities belongs to the next generation and at UKREiiF, they showed they are ready to lead the conversation.
