Planning with Young People: A Practical Guide to Youth-Inclusive Urban Planning in Schools

Planning with Young People presents educators, urban planners, and designers with an alternative vision of how to build cities for young people, challenging readers to imagine cities that truly serve their youngest inhabitants. This book argues that great cities can only emerge when they are good for all members, especially young people under 25, who are often marginalized in urban design. The first half of the book explores the competing, sometimes conflicting, and often incomplete visions and agendas of the city that have historically failed to include or prioritize young people. The final chapters highlight structures, systems, policy frameworks, and practices from the fields of education and planning that can be employed to plan for and with young people. Written in an accessible style, Planning with Young People is a valuable interdisciplinary resource for planning students, urban planners, or educators seeking a vision for inclusive planning practices, and civic leaders committed to building more equitable urban spaces.

Josh Pinto Taylor is an educational leader and city planning theorist whose career bridges the worlds of youth and community development. With a deep belief in the power of young voices to shape the future of cities, Josh has spent over a decade working at the intersection of education, community-based learning, and urban planning. From the classroom to the community, his work empowers young people to participate meaningfully in civic life and influence the spaces they live and learn in.