‘I Need My Space’: Governance of Social Spaces from Child Lens

Abstract

NASA’s popular slogan ‘I need my space’ triggered global concerns for exploring and protecting our universe and space. In the private sphere, as in the family, it is also a phrase that is often heard among children during their transitional stage to adolescence to adulthood, as they acutely begin to recognise their individual personality and value their privacy and preferences. Taking it forward to social spaces for children, the discussion in this paper is about adequate and appropriately planned spaces for children and adolescents, particularly in areas of higher demand for land use such as in cities and towns with chaotic growth. It discusses the limitations from a child lens and gender lens, and asks for policy attention to progressive development of child-friendly spaces. It promotes the idea of listening to the views of children in matters that directly and indirectly affect them. Especially in the context of pandemic, the emotional well-being of adolescents has needed safe and open spaces for interaction and positive engagement. The paper proposes that southern states discussed in the chapter could be potential torch-bearers in exploring and modelling healthy and happy social spaces for children.