Urban spaces are continuously evolving through complex social, economic, political and environmental forces. However, in responding to these changes, the perspectives of many local communities are often overlooked. Research on inclusive urban planning emphasises the need to recognise the lived experiences of diverse groups such as mothers, young people and teenage girls when shaping urban environments.
This research highlights how motherhood reshapes everyday mobility and engagement with the city. The study of first-time mothers with premature babies in inner London shows how navigating urban environments while caring for vulnerable infants involves emotional and sensory challenges, including concerns about overcrowded public spaces, accessibility for prams, and exposure to infection. These experiences influence how mothers move through the city and can shape their sense of belonging or exclusion in public spaces.
Similarly, research on youth participation in urban planning shows that young people, particularly teenagers, are frequently excluded from decision-making processes despite having strong views about how cities should function. Interviews with teenagers across several European cities revealed that young people prioritise community, inclusion, environmental sustainability and accessible public spaces, highlighting the importance of involving them directly in shaping future urban visions. Together, these perspectives demonstrate that creating inclusive and democratic cities requires empowering diverse groups (including mothers, young people and teenage girls) to participate in urban placemaking and decision-making.
If you wish to know more about the project or discuss about potential collaboration, please contact Prof. Silvia Gullino Silvia.Gullino@bcu.ac.uk.
Publications and media:
Gullino, S., 2026. Reimagining walkable cities: exploring the experience of mothers of premature babies. Town Planning Review, pp.1-21. https://doi.org/10.3828/tpr.2025.50
Gullino, S. and Rubin, M., 2026. Urban assemblages, motherhood and mobility in Johannesburg and London. Third World Quarterly, pp.1-20. https://doi.org/10.1080/01436597.2026.2628265
Shtebunaev, S., Gullino, S. and Larkham, P.J. 2023. Planning the smart city with young people: Teenagers’ perceptions, values and visions of smartness. Urban Planning, 8(2). https://doi.org/10.17645/up.v8i2.6411
Gullino, S., Kaiser, A., Khan, H., Phillips, A., Elwin, A. and Edwards, A.D., 2017. New mothers’ experiences of the urban environment with their preterm infants involve complex social, emotional and psychological processes. Acta Paediatrica, 106(3), pp.405-410.