Enabling Young People to Shape their Environments Through Participatory Action Research

Abstract

This research project explored the role of young people in enhancing the implementation of Healthy Streets Approaches in Tauranga, Aotearoa New Zealand. Through a participatory action research methodology, young people were partnered with the primary researcher to design the research project, identifying and analysing aspects of healthy and unhealthy streets. The co-researchers contributed their suggestions during focus group discussions and through participatory action research methods of mapping, drawing, videoing and journaling ideas about their journeys. The co-researchers chose their preferred methods, enabling them to drive and give their voices to the research project.

The findings indicated that young people placed emphasis on cities that made them feel safe, connected them to their community and the environment, encouraged alternatives to driving, and provided easy access to services. These results suggest that urban planners and decision-makers should prioritise and value the voices of young people in city design and planning. The research project also resulted in developing an artefact or product (reflecting the practice-based nature of the postgraduate pathway chosen) that outlines how to ‘Enable Young People’s Voice Through Participatory Action Research to Shape Their Environments.’ The artefact was developed as a guide for organisations wishing to enable young people to participate in shaping their cities. Future research should explore how the connection to culture through cities can impact the health and well-being of young people. It should also consider understanding how cultural connections can be strengthened and integrated when planning, designing, and implementing changes to cities and communities in Aotearoa New Zealand.