Bratislava

Convening Leaders in Bratislava to Build Better Cities for Children

CitiesBratislavaConvening Leaders in Bratislava to Build Better Cities for Children

Bloomberg Associates worked with the City of Bratislava to host Start with Children, the first annual international summit bringing together Mayors and experts to focus on accelerating transformative actions to improve the quality of life of children growing up in cities.

If you’re not thinking and talking about children and young people, you are missing out on the best way to build a shared vision for greener, healthier, fairer, more successful cities. That’s why you need to start with children.

Tim Gill, Author, Urban Playground

Relevant Expertise

Enhance City Communications and Resident Engagement

Events Attraction and Management

Improve Public Space and Neighborhoods

Long-Term Planning and Zoning

Challenge

Across the world, urbanization is increasing at an exponential scale. How physical environments are designed and planned will affect the future of cities and the life outcomes of its youngest citizens. Policies that enhance the quality of life in neighborhoods by putting the lived experience of children first have proven effective in improving mental health, education, public safety and economic opportunities for all.

Approach

Over two days in May, Bratislava became the center of an international discussion on the creation of cities that are safer, greener and considerate of children’s needs. More than 30 experts gave lectures, led workshops, and discussed in panels the importance of prioritizing the needs of children and shaping livable cities for future generations.

Mayors are the most key actors in shaping cities and Start with Children was able to give Mayors the knowledge to carry out policies that serve everyone by starting with its youngest citizens. With this children-first approach, Mayors were able to gain the expertise to carry out strategies that have proven effective to enhance public safety, mental health, education, and life outcomes for all.

Impact

Start with Children is expected to have lasting effects on urban environments and the well-being of children. Over two days, Start with Children:

Inspired Mayors to lead with a children-first approach to shaping cities.
Developed strategies to spread good ideas at scale.
Built an effective network of partnerships and collaborations.
Established long-term commitments by creating a task force chaired by Mayor Vallo.
Helped to support neighborhoods and caregivers for raising the next generation of leaders.