What framework is needed to ensure children can safely navigate independently? How can streets be made more child-friendly? On June 23, 2026, parents and initiatives, schools and daycare centers, experts, and interested members of the public in Bremen are invited to discuss these and other questions about creating a child-friendly city – together at the free conference "Children in the Streetscape" organized by SpielLandschaftStadt eV and KlimaWerkStadt eV.
The street and its adjacent footpaths, cycle paths, and green spaces are the most frequently used public areas. However, increasing speeds and confusing traffic situations make it difficult for many people to reach their destinations safely. This particularly affects older people, people with disabilities, and especially children. But how can children get to school, daycare, sports activities, or the playground safely and safely? Are children allowed to play in the street?
Independent mobility as an important building block in children's development
Many parents are worried about their children's safety; the phenomenon of "parent taxis" is increasing and bringing new problems and dangers. At the same time, it is widely known that independent mobility is an important building block in children's development. Walking to school or the playground together with friends is healthy and fun.
On behalf of the Senator for Labor, Social Affairs, Youth and Integration and the German Children's Aid Organization (Deutsches Kinderhilfswerk e.V.), SpielLandschaftStadt e.V. and KlimaWerkStadt e.V. are organizing the conference "Children in Street Spaces" on June 23, 2026, from 3 pm to 8 pmat KlimaWerkStadt (Westerstraße 58, 28199 Bremen). Presentations will be given, followed by time for information and discussion at themed tables. Therefore, flexible arrival and departure times are possible.
How can I register?
Registration is not required, but recommended by June 21st:
https://spiellandschaft-bremen.de/anmeldung/fachtag/fachtag-kinder-im-strassenraum
Voices of the speakers:
- Anne Dehler (German Children's Aid Organization): "Creating spaces for play: Children's rights in public spaces"
"The spatial design of children's social environments has a significant impact on their ability to move and play safely and independently. However, increasing traffic and urban densification are pushing children further and further out of public spaces. Yet, according to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, they have the right to grow up in a clean environment that they can explore safely and playfully." More info
- Dr. Christiane Richard-Elsner (formerly “Outdoor Children” in the ABA professional association): “Independent mobility – Why is it so important for the development of children?”
"Children need space to develop and explore the world independently. They only acquire resilience, optimism, and a realistic assessment of reality if they have ample opportunities to achieve goals on their own. This also means navigating routes to school, friends' houses, playgrounds, or leisure activities independently. For this, they need safe routes and an environment where children are naturally integrated as road users." More info
- Sandra Conrad-Juhls and Lena Hauberg-Lotte (VCD Bremen and SiWeKi): “Safe routes for children are safe routes for everyone – what we can do to achieve this”
Lena Hauberg-Lotte (SiWeKi) and Sandra Conrad-Juhls (VCD Bremen) highlight needs in local neighborhoods, outline potential measures, and connect the new Road Traffic Regulations (StVO) to possible combinations of funding opportunities with civic engagement. The primary focus is on school route mobility. However, related issues such as health, participation, and recreational spaces for children and young people are also considered, and an interdisciplinary approach to proactive measures in the state of Bremen is being explored. More information: VCD and SiWeKi
- Ulrike Herold (SpielLandschaftStadt eV): “Temporary play streets and street play initiatives – How the street can become a place to play”
Temporarily closing streets to make them available for play is a simple way to make neighborhoods more child-friendly. If neighbors join forces, they can participate in the annual street play event on World Play Day in September. Or they can transform their street into a temporary play street for one afternoon a week or one afternoon a month during the summer months. SpielLandschaftStadt supports neighborhoods with the application and funding process. In Bremen, the 14th temporary play street was inaugurated on June 5, 2026, in the presence of Senator for Transport Özlem Ünsal; more are planned. More information
For further inquiries, please contact:
Olaf Stölting, Senator for Labour, Social Affairs, Youth and Integration, or Anke Bittkau, SpielLandschaftStadt eV, , 0421 – 242 895 56
Source: Press Office of the Senate of the Free Hanseatic City of Bremen, Conference “Children in the Street Space” – Press Office of the Senate, June 18, 2026
