This paper explores how children perceive happiness in relation to urban spaces, during and after covid19. The study draws on data from an online survey applied to children aged 8-11 years, between the months of May and June 2022, in the Mexican city of Monterrey. Results indicate that children experiences of urban spaces are framed within parental expectations and experiences of the city as well as covid19 restrictions. Many of the interactions of children with their urban environment are independent of covid19 restrictions and relate to working patterns, security, safety, and work-life balance. This study points to the importance of taking children into account when planning urban spaces, especially in the context of reimagining cities post-covid19.
Dr Laura Valadez-Martinez is a Lecturer in Social Policy at Loughborough University. Her research concentrates on living standards and child wellbeing. She holds a PhD in Social Policy from Oxford University, MSc Public Policy in Latin America from Oxford University, and MA in Public Administration from ITESM Mexico.
Maria Jesus Alfaro-Simmonds is a ESRC Postdoctoral Fellow at Loughborough University. She was awarded her PhD in Geography at the University of Birmingham.