Key Characteristics Of Family-Friendly Cities: A Review

This paper describes the features that make a city „family-friendly†. The actuality of the topic is given by the fact that the preferences of some young parents for choosing a place of living have changed in recent years, and families increasingly want to live in cities, close to urban cores. The study reviews the main characteristics of family-friendly cities in the light of some initatives aimed at creating family-friendly cities. It reveals the aspects of UNICEF’s „Child-Friendly Cities Initiative†, some American approaches and strategies for creating family-friendly environment, and the criteria for joining the „European Network of Family-Friendly Municipalities†. Based on all the above, the study summarizes the key features of family-friendly urban development. In the author's interpretation, creating family-friendly cities means building a sustainable community that integrates the environmental, social and economic needs of the families living there. It is a multifaceted task which can only be realized within the framework of a long-term development strategy. The author of the study emphasizes the role of cooperation between municipalities, local companies, civil society, as well as the importance of involving families in urban planning and development process.