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Optimization of China’s Child-Friendly City Construction Policy from the Perspective of Policy Tools

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  • Hanyu Cao

    (School of Law, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
    Legislative Research Center, School of Law, Shandong University, Weihai 264209, China)

  • Quansheng Wang

    (Legislative Research Center, School of Law, Shandong University, Weihai 264209, China)

  • Qi Zhang

    (School of Physical Education, Shandong University, Weihai 264209, China)

Abstract

The construction of child-friendly cities is important for social and economic development. Based on the two-dimensional analysis framework of “Policy Tools–Policy Elements”, this study uses NVIVO 15 qualitative analysis software to code and quantitatively analyze China’s current child-friendly city construction policies. This study examines the formulation strategies and operational characteristics of policy texts on building child-friendly cities in China. The research shows that there are structural imbalances in current policies on child-friendly city construction in China, with too many supply-oriented policy tools and insufficient application of environmental policy and demand-oriented policy tools. The mix of policy instruments is poorly structured, with insufficient attention to children’s rights and social policies and a lack of monitoring and evaluation of policy performance. In the future, China’s children’s urban construction policy should strengthen the balance between the design of policy structures, optimize the structure of policy tools, strengthen the design and protection of laws and policies of children’s rights, and establish a monitoring and evaluation system of policy performance.

Suggested Citation

  • Hanyu Cao & Quansheng Wang & Qi Zhang, 2025. "Optimization of China’s Child-Friendly City Construction Policy from the Perspective of Policy Tools," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(13), pages 1-20, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:13:p:6220-:d:1696454
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Puthearath Chan, 2021. "Child-Friendly Urban Development: Smile Village Community Development Initiative in Phnom Penh," World, MDPI, vol. 2(4), pages 1-16, November.
    2. Nan, Fang, 2020. "Policy innovation on building child friendly cities in China: Evidence from four Chinese cities," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 118(C).
    3. Garyfallia Katsavounidou & Sílvia Sousa, 2024. "Reimagining Urban Spaces for Children: Insights and Future Directions," Urban Planning, Cogitatio Press, vol. 9.
    4. Ayse Ozbil Torun & Ilayda Zelal Akın & Heval Bingol & Margaret Anne Defeyter & Yucel Can Severcan, 2024. "Children’s Perspectives of Neighbourhood Spaces: Gender-Based Insights From Participatory Mapping and GIS Analysis," Urban Planning, Cogitatio Press, vol. 9.
    5. Angela Million & Katrin Schamun & Susann Fegter, 2024. "Understanding Well-Being Through Children’s Eyes: Lessons for Shaping the Built Environment," Urban Planning, Cogitatio Press, vol. 9.
    6. Daniel Kaplan, 2024. "Challenging Child-Friendly Urban Design: Towards Inclusive Multigenerational Spaces," Urban Planning, Cogitatio Press, vol. 9.
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