#10 | WHO Child-Friendly Cities: Safe and Inclusive Public Spaces for Children

In this episode of the GMJ Podcast — the official podcast of the Georgian Medical Journal, we examine the World Health Organization’s new global guide promoting safe, inclusive and child-friendly public spaces.The guide, developed by WHO, UNICEF and UN-Habitat, calls on governments, city planners and policymakers to redesign urban environments so that children’s health, development and well-being are placed at the center of public space planning. Rapid urbanization has reduced access to safe public spaces for many children around the world. Currently only about 44% of urban residents live near open public space, and access drops to around 30% in low- and middle-income countries, leaving millions of children without safe places to play, move and interact. The episode explores the WHO “SPACES” framework, which provides practical guidance for designing healthier cities built around six principles:• Safety and protection in streets and public areas• Play and recreation as a fundamental child right• Access to safe public spaces for all communities• Child health and well-being in urban environments• Equity and inclusion for vulnerable populations• Sustainability and climate resilienceWell-designed public spaces can support children’s physical health, mental well-being, learning, social connection and mobility, while also contributing to healthier and more resilient cities. This episode examines the growing recognition that urban design is a public health intervention, linking city planning, environmental safety and social equity to long-term health outcomes.Original WHO source discussed in this episode:https://www.who.int/news/item/21-01-2026-new-guide-promotes-safe--inclusive-and-child-friendly-public-spacesThe GMJ Podcast accompanies peer-reviewed publications and global health policy discussions featured in the Georgian Medical Journal, supporting structured academic dialogue on key issues in medicine, public health and global health governance.#გიორგიფხაკაძე #drpkhakadze #sheniekimi