Five Things Missing In The Built Environment For Families With Young Children
I'm On A Mission
density dad is a reader-supported publication covering all things urbanism and the built environment. Topics range from housing and public transportation to land use, safe bike infrastructure, and building equitable communities.
An eventful weekend to say the least as we frolicked around The Fan & Museum District on the search for a thrifted Panama hat (fully embracing the dad life huh?) so lot’s to talk about. We also made a quick day trip to Charlottesville, Virginia, and had a great time for the few hours we were there. We will definitely be back. I want to highlight some pretty consistent issues I notice when we’re out with our daughter.
Think of The Kids
Here are five issues families with young children face on a day-to-day basis that can be solved with intentionality and creativity.
Shade
While green space is certainly needed so is shade. We do our best to keep sunscreen on hand for our daughter but we should be able to find cover to recoup during play. Below is a brand new park in Greenville, S.C. and there’s simply no shade. No awnings, art sculptures, or shade sails. Sure there are trees but they need time to grow. There’s not even a pergola. This is a place built primarily for families and somehow this fine detail in humid South Carolina was missed.
Public Restrooms
Changing your child in the car is rough. Having our sons “find a tree” or use a cup is even worse. While parents have to do what we have to do at times, it’s a clear sign that children again are left out of the built environment. I’ve personally witnessed a time or two when the public restroom in a park was closed. Cities are so afraid of our housing insecure that we’ve simply made it inhumane to use the bathroom. Children can’t wait and sometimes, neither can adults. Unfortunately, they can’t overcome “No Public Restrooms” signs by buying the cheapest beer. Let’s create space for them.
Pedestrianized Streets
My little one can walk now and loves to get out and show the world. As a proud father, I want nothing more than to see her show off this privilege preferably right before nap time. She’s gotten to the point that she doesn’t want to be held when she sees everyone else strutting down the sidewalk. However, there are simply not enough places where she can do so. Our streets are now prioritized for cars, and reversing this would send many into a frenzy. I did see this great pedestrian mall in Charlottesville but even they allowed cars to cut across it at certain intersections.
Small Concept Drug Stores/Bodegas
I’ve been an advocate for micro-retail storefronts since my days as a brick-and-mortar business owner. I believe with the raising costs of commercial rents and the shift in the way we shop online, lowering the square footage of a space would place ease pressure on a business to fill it with inventory.
As a parent, there’s nothing like needing to buy something simple in a residential area that you’ve forgotten at home or ran out of and the nearest convenience store is miles away. Whether it is sunscreen, a bottle of water, or snacks, neighborhood corner stores being illegal to build make for shortened family time out and about in order to calm a very, unhappy child. My wife and I ran into a Dollar General Express in Wilmington, North Carolina, and ever since the idea of micro convenience stores seems like an easy solution in dense, residential areas for this very thing.
Spacious Public Transit
The last one is near and dear to me as a car-free father and bus rider. There is no space on the bus for a stroller. There has to be a way to rethink how our buses are configured to consider families who rely on bus service. Fewer seats could add space, but rotating a few seats along the sides of the bus could also open space things up. We do this with light rail and heavy rail why not do this for buses?
I’ll also include family-friendly ridesharing. Currently, there’s no way to request a rideshare with a child car seat. There are times I’d love to request a ride and leave my wife at home to rest while also leaving her car behind, I can’t do this without this simple feature. I can’t stress enough how much this would open up our economy by simply giving people the space and safety to get around without a car to explore their environments or run errands.
Final Thoughts
After presenting at the Congress of New Urbanism, I had a minute left for questions. The first question I received was, “Are you doing any consulting?”
I was shocked. I was honored to be asked this but also humbled that my ideas were relevant and practical enough that someone would request my insights professionally.
Tesho Akindele, a retired pro soccer and urbanist had this to say about us meeting in person while in Charlotte.
I say all of this to say, over the coming months I hope to do just this in my free time under “density dad.” Nothing major but finding ways here and there to collaborate with developers, placemakers, and city officials to speak up for families in the built environment.
I love contributing to this newsletter each week but it’s time to also get an idea or two to someone who can help make these changes. A long and slow grind for the sake of my family and yours. I’m aware that everyone doesn’t have children but they are our future. Future leaders and decision-makers who will do their best to shape a better world than what we leave behind. Let’s do our part to leave it in a pliable state.
Express Route
Straight to the point news in urbanism:
Intercity passenger rail expansion sought by 90-plus cities and states, Amtrak CEO tells House committee: Individual House members made the case for why Amtrak should add service to their regions as it selects new routes supported by infrastructure funding. (Smart Cities Dive)
Austin Transit Partnership, Austin City Council, CapMetro Board approves first phase of Austin Light Rail Implementation Plan
The recommendation was initially one of five options revealed in March and was selected after planning data analysis, engineering evaluation, and community dialogue came together to identify this plan. (Mass Transit News)
The Idaho Stop is now legal in Minnesota so why not everywhere? The Idaho Stop is a simple and effective tool that grants cyclists a small accommodation on the roads that could benefit all road users. And maybe it’s time has come. (Momentum Mag)
Til next time, cut loose.
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Great thoughts. Also - "toddler" parks that are fenced in. We saw them all over Europe, and rarely see them here. It's a little thing that drastically reduces your blood pressure as a parent.