A child friendly city is a city, or any local system of governance, committed to
fulfilling children‘s rights. It is a city where the voices, needs, priorities and rights of
children are an integral part of public policies, programs and decisions.
As a result, it is a
city that is fit for all. Today, Damascus city rate poorly in terms of the child friendly status.
Due to modern planning and zoning practices, planning for the car and uncontrolled
growth, children of Damascus are growing up unhealthy, obese and depressed. This
research reviews the studies done on the built environment that is convenient for the
child‘s physical, mental and social health and safety. For the purpose of this research, 64
children (28 girls and 36 boys) aged between 10-14 years, along with their parents were
interviewed and asked to describe their perception and experience of the built environment
of the New City of Damascus to meet their needs. Then, the research analyses and
evaluates the Traditional Damascus Built Environment in order to consider key planning
and designing factors that could be learnt through looking at the way the Traditional Built
Environment providing for children‘s needs, and using this as the blueprint for designing
child friendly neighborhoods of new and damaged neighborhood of Damascus City.