Keerpunt children redefine the 15-minute city
What does a city look like when you are only 140cm tall? How does a "15-minute city" feel when you don’t have a driver’s license, a credit card, or a vote in the city council?
Recently, the CONIFER project turned the streets of Ghent into a living laboratory. Students from Keerpunt School Ghent were handed cameras and invited to become urban explorers. While 30 children participated in the journey, 18 have already stepped forward to share their final "Photo Stories." Their findings are not just snapshots; they are emotional maps of an urban landscape that adults often walk through without truly seeing.
The bright side: Red paths and social hubs
When students discovered urban features they loved, the response was an overwhelming sense of relief. For many, the "Red Path" is more than just paint; it is a sanctuary.
Child 1 captured this perfectly:
"I feel very safe because there is a red street where cyclists can go... I feel very safe being able to go to school."
Child 2 highlighted that psychological comfort often comes from physical barriers:
"I felt protected because... the bike path is protected with fences. The cars and cyclists are split and then it's safer."
Beyond safety, the students celebrated the convenience of a neighborhood where everything is within reach. Child 3 expressed deep satisfaction with the local shopping district, noting:
"I never lack anything because everything is there... we don't have to drive five hours just to get some toilet paper."
Even small technological additions like AED boxes, bicycle pumps, and parcel lockers were identified as vital tools that make the city feel modern and supportive.
The shadow in the street: Litter and broken dreams
However, the project also exposed a "grey" reality that weighs heavily on younger residents. The most recurring theme was a profound feeling of anger and sadness regarding urban cleanliness.
Child 4 documented the emotional toll of illegal dumping:
"I find it very bad for the planet and also very sad... this problem has existed for years because people dump waste."
Child 5 shared a visceral reaction to finding a dead rat left in nature:
"It's quite gross that you throw it away like that; I find it a very disgusting animal."
The students also identified that "eyesores" for adults are "hazards" for children. Child 6 was moved to anger by a fallen street post, noting that it "could make dozens of people fall". Child 7 was similarly "shocked" to find broken benches in the Vliegerpark, and Child 8 noted that overgrown bushes actually force pedestrians off the sidewalk into dangerous traffic.
The 70-cent barrier and physical hurdles
Perhaps the most striking insight was the impact of financial and physical barriers on youth mobility. Both Child 9 and Child 10 highlighted the "disappointment" and "sadness" of paid public toilets.
"I really think it's unacceptable that you have to pay to go to the toilet... it will simply become almost impossible to go to a public toilet." — Child 9
Child 10 pointed out that requiring cash or digital payments is a major hurdle for youth who may not carry either:
"I think people should be able to go to the toilet for free when they don't have money with them."
Additionally, Child 11 and Child 12 observed that sidewalks are often treated as storage zones rather than paths. Whether it is overgrown greenery or store racks and cardboard boxes blocked by businesses, these obstructions turn a simple walk into a stressful obstacle course.
Strategic tips for urban planners (from the next generation)
Based on the lived experiences documented by these 18 young experts, here are the strategic recommendations for city authorities:
- Prioritize physical separation: Painted lines are insufficient for children. They feel "protected" only when physical fences or barriers separate them from cars and trucks.
- Maintenance is a safety mandate: A fallen bollard or a broken bench isn't just a maintenance ticket; it is a perceived threat to physical safety that causes urban anxiety.
- Design for the "non-consumer": Public toilets and water fountains are essential infrastructure. Charging for them creates a "sad" and exclusionary environment for students and those without cash.
- Greenery is a mental health tool: Grey, concrete-heavy parks are described as "depressing" and "ugly". Planners must integrate trees and grass into "grey" zones to improve the mental well-being of the youngest residents.
- Manage sidewalk obstructions: Stricter enforcement is needed for businesses that use the sidewalk for storage, as these obstructions force children into the street.
The CONIFER project reminds us that children are the ultimate experts on sidewalk-level reality. By looking through their lens, we can begin building a city that doesn't just function for adults with cars, but thrives for children with cameras.
