Over 1,300 Adolescents Showcase Ideas for Healthier, Inclusive Cities in Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswar: More than 1,300 adolescents from Bhubaneswar and Jaipur showcased how young people can help design healthier, safer and more inclusive public spaces at Shaping Healthy and Inclusive Cities with Adolescents, held at Suryansh Hotels & Resorts in Bhubaneswar on Friday.

Organised by Auom Impact and Consulting in partnership with WRI India, the event brought together adolescents, urban planners, educators, civil society organisations and community members to highlight the importance of involving young people in city planning.

The showcase marked the culmination of the three-year Safe, Vibrant and Healthy Public Spaces project under Fondation Botnar’s global Healthy Cities for Adolescents initiative. Through exhibitions, interactive installations, games, artwork and youth-led storytelling, participants shared how adolescents contributed to redesigning six public spaces in Bhubaneswar and Jaipur by suggesting improvements such as better seating, shade, play areas, greenery and accessibility.

In Bhubaneswar, organisations Aaina and Humara Bachpan Trust demonstrated how adolescents, including those with disabilities, have been actively engaged in planning inclusive public spaces through community platforms and youth-led civic discussions.

Speaking at the event, Prerna V. Mehta, Associate Program Director, Sustainable Cities – Urban Development, WRI India, said adolescents should be recognised as active contributors to city planning, adding that their participation can help create more responsive and community-driven urban spaces.

The event also featured learnings from the Resilient Cities for Adolescents project in Ghana, highlighting global efforts to empower young people in shaping cities.