The paths of the children of Roquetes

Abstract

"Los Caminos de los Niños y Niñas de Roquetes" (The Paths of the Children
of Roquetes) is an urban and social transformation project in Roquetes, in the Nou Barris
district of Barcelona, within the framework of the neighborhood's Community Plan. The
following pages describe the initial development of this ambitious project, based on the principles
of citizen participation, transmission of values, continuity, training, and networking.
Children, mothers, and fathers, through joint work with the three neighborhood schools and parent
associations, were the main protagonists and the central axis for gathering information that
was later transformed into proposals for intervention to adapt public spaces to the mobility
and socialization needs of the neighborhood's children, based on the premise that if the
neighborhood is adapted for its youngest inhabitants, it will be adapted for the entire
community. The intervention with children was carried out with students between the ages
of 8 and 13, with whom two classroom sessions were held, and with parents through
questionnaires and discussion groups. The following categories were created for the
analysis and systematization of the information places of interaction, itineraries,
tastes and preferences, mobility, autonomy, perception, and risk points within the
neighborhood. The results showed that 88.41% of students travel on foot and that
there is a lack of adequate spaces for them to interact. Most complain about the
dirtiness of the streets, parks, and squares, the lack of road safety education
for drivers, and the presence of conflictive relationships between neighbors.
These aspects led to proposals aimed at intervening in the urban fabric and
social dynamics of the neighborhood. This is therefore a cross-cutting
project that poses challenges to the community, educational institutions,
and local government in favor of a more socially, economically, and
environmentally equitable vision.