Caregivers,i.e.,parents,grandparents,and anyone caring for children,make up the majority of users in many urban centers around the world,including in China.Yet urban design and planning rarely consider specific needs of caregivers.This can result in a negative perception among people that cities are unfriendly places to raise children.Such negative perception is among the major contributors to the aging population problem,as parents and parents-to-be feel reluctant to give birth and raise more than one or even any children.Using an interdisciplinary approach,i.e.,cognitive science,psychology,behavioral economics,and urban studies,this paper examines a new city model of"parent-friendly city,"where urban design serves the needs of caregivers,effectively creating a perception that cities are friendly places for raising children.First,we identify that caregivers'needs are characterized by two major factors:provision:parents want to provide for their children,such as providing places for play and learning,and@restoration:parents want to restore things that they lack due to childcare responsibilities,such as lack of rest and interaction with other adults.Second,we offer cognitive-based design principles that can work powerfully and effectively to fll both needs.Third,using real case studies from cities in China and around the world,we illustrate how these design principles work,even reversing caregivers'perception from negative to positive.Ultimately,thoughtful urban design can support parents in raising children,making cities into partners in parenthood.
