Aim ahead: behavioural design in young people´s mobility environments

Important results from the project

The project’s purpose was to promote children’s participation in urban design and to gain a better understanding of their experiences of mobility environments. The goal was to develop methods for involving youth through creative and sensory-based exercises, as well as to gather insights into how sensory experiences influence their school routes. The focus was on identifying needs and generating ideas for safer, more engaging school routes, where playfulness and natural elements encourage more children and youth to walk or bike to school.

Expected long term effects

The project resulted in deeper understanding of how children and youth perceive and interact with their school routes, particularly through senses such as sight, smell, sound, and touch. The insights highlight the need for safer and more engaging mobility environments, where nature and playful elements play a key role. Expected effects include increased participation of children and youth in urban design, improved school routes that encourage sustainable travel models, and enhanced knowledge of how design can positively influence children’s everyday environments.

Approach and implementation

The project used a co-creative approach where children actively participated in workshops to explore sensory experiences and develop ideas for school routes. Through sensory walks, positive, neutral and negative experiences were mapped, and creative exercises were used to generate design proposals. AI and VR were integrated to inspire future visions. The analysis shows that children provide unique insights through creative activities but are often unaccustomed to reflecting on senses other than sight, requiring methodological development for deeper engagement.

External links

LTU Hälsovetenskaps sida för aktiva skoltransporter En hemsida för projektet