Tehran has to be transformed to become child-friendly
By Ali Amiri
Staff writer
Just a brief glance at Tehran, the thronged capital of Iran, presents us with a harsh reality: it is a city that falls short of being child-friendly. Some may argue that, as it is today, it’s not even an adult-friendly city.
The fact of the matter is that Tehran has turned into a car-centric metropolis, displaying a distressing lack of consideration for its pedestrians, including the most vulnerable among them – children. The city’s disregard for creating safe spaces for its youngest residents is a crystal clear indicator of an urgent need for change. In order to become a truly inclusive and livable city for all ages, especially children, Tehran should undoubtedly change in terms of urban planning.
Today, Tehran grapples with many challenges that render it unfavorable to live in, particularly for the youth. The city’s notorious air pollution, coupled with its maddening noise pollution, underlines the long road that lies ahead in transforming it into a suitable city.
This uphill battle is specifically important for its children, whose delicate immune systems and formative mental and cognitive capabilities demand an environment that nurtures their growth and
well-being.
Beyond the aforementioned problems, Tehran struggles with a multitude of pressing issues that exacerbate its unsuitability for children – and other residents alike. The prevalence of uneven sidewalks poses a constant threat to pedestrian safety, especially parents with strollers, who might give up on walking their children to the parks altogether, and turn to personal vehicles which would in turn add to the heavy traffic of the city.
Such heavy traffic, paired with reckless driving habits, is another danger to many children, especially during their formative school years. Hours upon hours of their lives are wasted in heavy traffic, and they’re constantly endangered due to drivers’ disregard for safety.
Also, the scarcity of well-designed spaces specifically catered to children’s needs further restricts their opportunities for play and socialization. On top of that, certain neighborhoods within Tehran are plagued by safety concerns, leaving parents and guardians deeply apprehensive about allowing children to explore their surroundings freely.
Sadly, this is the Tehran we have today. We must urgently prioritize the well-being of its youngest inhabitants and take comprehensive steps toward creating a safer, more accessible, and child-friendly urban
landscape.