EIT Urban Mobility participated in the Start with Children Conference in Bratislava on 13–14 May 2025, where it led two workshops focused on strategies for creating more inclusive and family-friendly urban spaces.

Prioritising children in urban planning

This year marked the second edition of the conference, which explored how policies, innovations, and urban planning can actively prioritise and benefit children – and by extension, society as a whole. The event gathered urban planners, policymakers, researchers, and city representatives from across Europe to exchange ideas and best practices for building more inclusive, child-friendly cities. The Mayor of Bratislava, Matúš Vallo, emphasised the importance of the initiative, stating: “Building better cities is not just about physical changes. Care – that is the foundation of every strong community. Care for one another, care for our children, for the elderly.”

One of the key focuses of the initiative is designing urban environments where transport systems actively support children’s independence, safety, and well-being. In particular, a child-friendly city integrates walkable and bikeable neighbourhoods, traffic-calmed streets, protected cycling lanes, and accessible, reliable public transport – all of which children can navigate confidently. By implementing such mobility solutions, cities not only foster safer and more engaging environments for children but also improve the quality of life for all residents, making urban spaces more inclusive and sustainable. Read more about mastering mobility for child-friendly cities in our dedicated article.

Bratislava’s commitment to children

The Start with Children Conference is a key catalyst in transforming Bratislava into a more child-friendly city. One such initiative is the City for Children programme, launched by the Metropolitan Institute of Bratislava and Bratislava City Hall, which addresses issues such as traffic safety and air quality in school zones. By actively engaging children, parents, teachers, and school staff in identifying challenges and co-creating tailored solutions for each of the 20 participating schools, the interventions responded directly to local needs. As a result, the programme has brought meaningful improvements to school environments, ultimately benefiting up to 7,700 children across the city.

Leading discussion on child-friendly spaces

As part of the conference, EIT Urban Mobility co-organised two sessions – “Shared Mobility for Families” and “Financing the Future: European Mayor’s Alliance for Children Toolkit Presentation.” The first session explored how micro-mobility options such as e-scooters, bike shares, and other shared transport methods can be reimagined to better serve families, while the latter highlighted practical tools and funding strategies to support city leaders in building inclusive, accessible transport networks that prioritise the needs of children and their caregivers. The sessions offered a comprehensive look at how cities can reimagine urban mobility to support all generations.

The Start with Children initiative has garnered strong support from both the public and partner organisations, highlighting the critical role of urban mobility in shaping the future of child-friendly cities. The City of Bratislava and the Metropolitan Institute of Bratislava organise the conference.