Evaluation of The Consequences of Urban Sprawl and Its Effects On Children From The CRC Perspective

Abstract

Today, urban areas, which are unable to meet the needs of uncontrollably grown world population at the same speed, are witnessing rapid urbanization and urbanization sprawl. Although rapid urbanization has some positive impacts, several negative economic, socio-cultural and environmental impacts are much more effective on human life. These impacts range from unemployment, inequality in income distribution, inadequate health care and malnutrition due to urban poverty, to social deterioration, deprivation, and the development of crime in the city. In parallel with the unplanned development of urban spaces, open and green spaces are decreasing, vehicle traffic is increasing, and due to the increase in crime and violence, urban spaces are becoming inappropriate places to live especially for children. Children are forced to live in cities designed and built for adults, facing many dangers that affect their physical, mental and emotional development. For generations, there have been many arrangements for the protection of children, but most of them have not gone beyond expressions of goodwill. Finally, the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) has been signed, and major steps have been taken to identify, protect and promote each child as an eligible individual. The common findings of the researches done both in Turkey and all over the world revealing the problems of children living in urban areas, it has been seen that the children are likely to be faced mostly with vital problems. In low- and middle-income groups, many children do not fully meet their basic needs such as housing, health and protection. Many of them are threatened by traffic, environmental pollution, violence, and dangerous illness. In a world with strict and controlled rules set by their families, the children of upper-income group can either not use or have limited use of their socializing and playing rights freely with their peers. From the perspective of the UN CRC that adopts the child’s best interests as a fundamental principle, it can be concluded that all children are under high level of danger. The most basic way to protect children is to prioritize their needs within the framework of the CRC and to create a child-friendly city, society, which has been innovated by UNICEF. The prerequisite of creating a childfriendly city and society is the application of best interests of child principle, which is one of the fundamental principles of UN CRC. This principle enhances the opportunity for the child to grow and develop in a healthy way in economic, socio-cultural, legal, physical, mental and emotional aspects. The aim of this study is to underline the importance of the implementation of these rights of children in urban life by evaluating the consequences of urban sprawl and its effects on children from the CRC perspective.