City takes its cues from child's play

Facilities incorporate the needs and wishes of its younger residents, Hu Dongmei and Deng Rui report in Yinchuan.

Over the last few years, Yinchuan, capital of Ningxia Hui autonomous region, has been in the process of turning itself into the area's first child-friendly city. Through focused efforts tailored toward children, the city is delivering tangible benefits to its young residents and their families.

At a water conservation-themed park recently, 6-year-old Zhang Jinyu swung happily on a crescent moon-shaped swing, giggling as it moved. "This swing is low; I can touch the ground easily," Jinyu said.

Nearby, 3-year-old Cheng Menglu played on a seesaw with her mother. "The seesaw seats are low, making it easy for kids to get on," said Li Pengjuan, Menglu's mother. "The handrails are decorated with stars and moons, which kids love."

Xingqing District Library is another favored choice thanks to its welcoming atmosphere. "The chairs in the library are adorable. I love their shapes!" exclaimed Li Muxi, a student at Xingqing's No 27 Kindergarten, during a study tour.

As a child-friendly space, the library is a conducive space for young readers, and the parent-child reading zone has over 6,000 illustrated books. "Our library also allocates 50,000 yuan ($6,850) a year to refresh our collection of children's books," says Jia Jiancheng, director of the library.

Ningxia's implementation plan for creating a child-friendly city is based on the "1-meter perspective", in other words, the creation of a world that, when seen from the 1-meter height of a child, is tailored toward their use and sensory experience.

In conjunction with associated departments, the National Development and Reform Commission issued guidelines in September 2021 to promote the creation of child-friendly cities — including integrating child-friendly standards into aspects such as social policy, public services, protection of child rights, and environments favorable to the growth of children. By the end of this year, 100 child-friendly pilot cities will have been created.