Freedom to Flourish

Independent mobility, or the ability of youth to move about the public realm without the presence of an adult, has declined over time as our environments have been reconfigured to move more vehicles from place-to-place as quickly as possible. Changing lifestyles, resulting in an increased fear of strangers and the rise of digital entertainment, may also have an impact on declining rates of independent mobility for youth. As access to the public realm is increasingly limited to youth, this chapter examines some of the developmental needs of youth to better understand the effects of the loss of access. Developmentally, adolescent brains are experiencing a period of rapid brain growth and influence from significant hormonal changes. The social and physical environment that youth experience during this point of life can, therefore, impact their lifelong social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development. Designers and planners should consider the importance of youth’s developmental needs, including physical activity, enriched environmental experiences, contact with nature, and opportunities for reasonable risk and social interactions in order to create a public realm which supports healthy development.