Urban95 Academy
‘Learn how to design and deliver better cities for babies, toddlers & caregivers, because cities that work for young children, work for everyone.’
Leeds City Council are proud to be a part of the Urban95 global network. This is a growing network of urban practitioners around the world, who are working to improve the lives of young children and caregivers.
Joining the Urban95 Academy
In 2023, Leeds City Council applied to join the Urban95 Academy and were successful in joining the programme. The Urban95 Academy is a sponsored global leadership course that focuses on how to make cities better for babies, toddlers and their caregivers. The programme helps city planners, designers, and other urban professionals working for local government understand how their work impacts early childhood development.
The Leeds team consisted of representation from Child Friendly Leeds, Strategic Planning and Elected Members (Councillor Fiona Venner, Executive Member for Children’s Social Care and Health Partnerships).
‘A good start for all children: If you can change the beginning of the story, you can change the end of the story.’
Why '95'?
This is a reference to 95cm, which is the average height of a three-year-old. The Urban95 approach is about viewing our cities from this height. On our streets, in our green spaces, on our public transport and in local businesses – what is the experience and perspective of the child?
A baby’s brain develops the fastest during the first five years of life, forming approximately one million neural connections per second. It is during this first phase of life that a child is able to develop many of the core skills that are needed for healthy development: skills for confidence and curiosity; skills to be able to manage anxiety or anger; linguistic skills; emotional skills; cognition. The early years are foundational. These years set the stage for everything else that comes later in life. Therefore, intervening during this phase is critical.
An Urban95 city is a place where...
- Babies, toddlers and the people who care for them are seen, heard, counted and considered.
- Caregivers are given the time and respect they need to provide vital care and support.
- Vulnerable families receive the extra support they need to thrive.
- City agencies work together, and with the community, to support families with small children.
- Public spaces prompt singing, conversation and play.
- Shared streets are dedicated to cleaner, safer and fairer modes of transportation.
- Children’s routes help families travel safely and comfortably wherever they wish to go.
- Early years services are located within a 15 minutes’ walk from where families live.
- Neighbourhoods bridge cultural divides and provide spaces for socialising.
- Clean air, pure water and refreshing nature surround and nurture every resident.