No Teens Allowed: The Exclusion of Adolescents from Public Spaces

Abstract The current practice of excluding adolescents from public landscapes is explored through a review of public policies and common design practices that restrict their use of places. Policies reviewed include curfew and skateboarding ordinances. Design practices related to four types of environments—commercial areas, parks, neighborhoods, and schools—are discussed. The policies define when and where teens cannot get together and design practices often do not provide an alternative. For example, clients' request that designs not encourage teens to hang out and common design practices suggest spacing benches evenly along walkways rather than clustering them together so a group of teens can sit. Recommendations on how the needs of adolescents can be addressed through design are discussed. Suggestions include designing adolescent-friendly places, incorporation of youth activities with other age groups, and strategies for youth design participation.