Most car traffic and parking is around main roads.

How cities can do betterīecause of these policies, many Japanese urban neighbourhoods function like “ superblocks”. Parking lots in cities like Tokyo are typically small (the size of one housing plot or less) and some use space-efficient car-stacking technology.Įmpty car parks everywhere, but nowhere to park. They lease nearby off-street spaces if needed. Most buildings are exempt from minimum parking regulations and many homes and businesses have no parking. Street parking is especially risky for young children. A nationwide ban on overnight street parking is strictly enforced. Japan’s parking policies also reduce neighbourhood car traffic. People can walk to nearby shops and services because mixed-use zoning creates a neighbourhood blend of housing, retail and public services, while transit-oriented design means communities are built around public transport hubs.įive lessons from Tokyo, a city of 38m people, for Australia, a nation of 24mĪ typical neighbourhood in Nakano, Tokyo, with parking-free streets and a small parking lot. In many Japanese cities – though not all – urban policies support low-traffic neighbourhoods with people-centred streets. The youngsters develop confidence to navigate their local neighbourhoods.īeyond personal and community values, what changes might make this possible for our own children? Our research on Japanese and Australian cities explores multiple factors that make cities child-friendly. In Old Enough, community members keep an eye on the children and help them along the way as they complete their errands. The social practice of “first errands” gently initiates children into community participation. Children’s levels of independent mobility are among the highest in the world. Even kindergarten kids manage the trip on their own.

The contrasts with Japan raise the question: how can we rethink our cities so children can once again get around safely on their own and benefit from diverse neighbourhood experiences?Įveryone loves Bandit from Bluey – but is he a lovable larrikin, or just a bad dad?įor decades in Japan, roughly 98% of children have walked or cycled to and from school. La Trobe University and University of Sydney provide funding as members of The Conversation AU. Monash University provides funding as a founding partner of The Conversation AU.

Hulya Gilbert does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment. She has previously received funding from the Henry Halloran Trust, the City of Melbourne, Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS), and the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD). Rebecca Clements receives funding from the Henry Halloran Trust at the University of Sydney.Įlizabeth Taylor receives funding from the Australian Research Council (ARC) and the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute (AHURI). Lecturer in Planning and Human Geography, La Trobe University Senior Lecturer in Urban Planning & Design, Monash University Postdoctoral Research Associate, Faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning, University of Sydney

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