We had the opportunity to speak with Petra Marko, Chief Executive of the Metropolitan Institute of Bratislava, about the summit’s purpose and the challenges ahead.
The Metropolitan Institute of Bratislava (MIB) is a conceptual institute in architecture, urban planning, participation and strategic planning. MIB’s mission is to promote high-quality architecture and functional urban solutions that address the evolving needs of Bratislava’s residents, particularly in the face of social and environmental challenges.
Q1: The Metropolitan Institute of Bratislava is known for its innovative projects in revitalising and transforming public spaces into citizen-friendly areas. Which of these projects are you most proud of, and why?
It is hard to pick out a single one, but I would say that our City for Children programme particularly resonates as it captures both the physical transformation of streets with engagement of the youngest citizens. Until now, we have worked with almost 15 primary school communities in just over two years, improving safety around schools and engaging children through participation and play-based activities. One of the highlights was the transformation of a dangerous road junction at Vazovova and Mytna Streets, which has resulted not only in a safer pedestrian environment and slower through traffic but also added 336 sq m of greenery and public space with trees, benches and cycle stands, instead of road space. By the end of next year, our programme will impact almost 15,000 children, making their journey to school safer and encouraging children’s independent movement.
“We know that by 2050, 70 per cent of the global population will live in cities, so cities have a huge role to play in how we address this.”
Q2: Sustainability appears to be at the core of many of your projects. How important is this topic to the people of Bratislava and to society in general?
Climate emergency is the biggest challenge for human civilisation. We know that by 2050, 70 per cent of the global population will live in cities, so cities have a huge role to play in how we address this. People in Bratislava are cosmopolitan citizens, increasingly aware of sustainability topics, from food consumption and changing mobility patterns to waste. As a public institute, we have an important role to play not only through climate adaptation and green mobility measures we embed in our projects but also in the education of both the professional community and the public. Relationship to our environment starts in childhood – and this is where programmes such as City for Children play a crucial role. If we sensitise children to their surroundings, they will become more responsible and engaged citizens.
Q3: The Bratislava Summit – Start with the Children is a groundbreaking initiative. How did the idea for this summit come about? What was the original vision behind it?
The vision for Bratislava, led by our Mayor Matúš Vallo, is to plan the city through the needs of children and, following the example of successful world cities, to create a compact city of short distances that is ideal (not only) for children. The idea for the summit itself was developed in collaboration with Simon Battisti, the creative director of Start with Children, who first came to Bratislava to help set up a pilot project of the City for Children programme together with the Metropolitan Institute of Bratislava and the city. He brought with him experience from his nonprofit organisation, which transforms streets around schools in Tirana, Albania, to make them safer for children and caregivers.
Q4: Why do you believe it is so important to focus on children when designing our cities? What do you envision for future child-friendly cities?
In Bratislava, we recognise what many experts have already said: if we plan a city through the needs of children, it will be good for everyone, whether they are 3, 30, or 80 years old. It is about designing the city through the needs of those who are most vulnerable. We know, for instance, that children and the elderly are most negatively affected by rising temperatures and air pollution because their organisms are either still developing (in children) or weaker (in the elderly).
The child-friendly approach extends beyond streets and public spaces – it is also at the urbanism scale when we look at how we design housing and neighbourhoods.
Providing shade and greenery, reducing air pollution, safe road crossings – with sufficient time to cross, good street lighting, barrier-free pavements, and opportunities to sit down and rest or to play- are all important ingredients of an inclusive public space where people of all ages and abilities feel safe and welcome.
But, the child-friendly approach extends beyond streets and public spaces – it is also at the urbanism scale when we look at how we design housing and neighbourhoods. Do we design compact city blocks with courtyards where children can play safely? What forms of housing encourage ‘doorstep play’? How do we make sure new neighbourhoods are well connected by public transport and provide for different mobility options? How to embed services and facilities across neighbourhoods to decrease day-to-day commuting and provide convenience? These are some questions that experts from around the world will discuss at the Start with Children summit.
Q5: Who is the target audience for the summit, and who would benefit the most from attending?
The summit is for city leaders, local authority representatives, experts in urbanism, architecture, sustainable mobility, climate resilience, innovative developers, foundations and companies. Attracting talent in cities rests not only on the individual conditions that employers provide but also on the livability and quality of the urban environment. So the summit is not just for those who are actively involved in shaping the city, but also those who are based here and care about the environment for their employees and their families.
“Re-centering cities around the youngest citizens leads to healthier, more connected, more livable places for everyone.”
Q6: You’ve invited an impressive lineup of speakers from diverse fields and countries. Could you share some of the key speakers or thought leaders who will be presenting?
Among the keynote speakers is Carlos Moreno, the pioneering urbanist of the 15-minute city concept, which has significantly improved the quality of life in Paris and that other world-class cities are implementing; Dinah Bornat, architect, former London Mayor’s Design Advocate and author of the book All to Play for: How to design child-friendly housing; Eva Kail, urban planner who helped transform Vienna into one of the world’s most livable cities in the world through gender mainstreaming approach; Jonny Anstead, developer of the award-winning community housing project Marmalade Lane in Cambridge; or Helle Nebelong, a landscape architect and pioneer of Copenhagen’s natural play movement.
“Bratislava is facing significant suburbanisation, resulting in an increasing number of cars commuting into the city daily—a trend we aim to reverse.”
Participants can look forward to in-depth case studies such as Aspern Seestadt in Vienna, one of the largest urban development projects in Europe, planned with a strong focus on the needs of children and caregivers; the new Nordhavn district in Copenhagen’s harbour, which functions as a car-free 5-minute city; the Superblocks concept from Barcelona; as well as successful examples from here in Slovakia that support free play, multigenerational communities and create attractive urban living—just steps away from amenities and well connected by public transport. This is an important topic, as Bratislava is facing significant suburbanisation, resulting in an increasing number of cars commuting into the city daily—a trend we aim to reverse.
You can find out more on the summit website: https://startwithchildren.com.
Q7: Looking ahead, what are your goals for the future of the summit? How do you envision its evolution in the coming years?
The child-friendly cities concept is a growing global movement that places children’s needs at the heart of city planning and development. In light of the environmental, social and economic challenges cities face, it is crucial that city leaders unite around shared goals – and securing a healthy future for our children is undeniably a goal that we can all agree on, regardless of political affiliations. The ambition of the summit is to provide city leaders with hands-on tools and know-how, which they can apply and adapt to the specific context of their city. Re-centering cities around the youngest citizens leads to healthier, more connected, more livable places for everyone. Bratislava wants to learn from the best in this field and build partnerships that can help us advance child-friendly principles on the ground. The summit is a great vehicle for this, and the benefit is shared with all participating cities.
Q8: To wrap up, would you like to extend a personal invitation to professionals from various fields who are dedicated to creating a better future for children and society?
Join us in Bratislava between 13 and 14 May! There will be views to inspire and valuable connections to make!
Learn all about the leading conference on child-friendly cities here.
