Reimagining urban space through the lives of teenage girls
Following the launch of the Urban Minded research project, its framework will now inform real-world urban interventions, providing a collaborative model that cities and planners worldwide can adopt.
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Social Impact and Co-creation Lead
How often do we design cities with teenage girls in mind? Public spaces play a huge role in shaping our well-being, yet they often fail to accommodate the needs, interests, and daily lives of young women.
In collaboration with Esbjerg Municipality, Ramboll, Catapult Projects, and KOMPAN, we’ve received funding to design an urban space in Esbjerg, Denmark—one that truly reflects the lived experiences of teenage girls. Thanks to 2.3 million DKK from Villum Foundation and 485,000 DKK from the Ramboll Foundation, this project will explore how co-creation can make public spaces more inclusive, engaging, and welcoming for young women and their communities.
From research to reality
This initiative builds on Urban Minded, a research project launched in 2023 to better understand the overlooked needs of teenage girls in urban design. Our research resulted in open-source guides that offer design principles and participatory methods to improve the well-being of young women. Now, we have the opportunity to put these ideas into practice in Esbjerg’s city center.
“Physical surroundings, including urban spaces, play a significant role in shaping mental well-being, yet public spaces frequently fail to accommodate the perspectives of teenage girls. The lived experience of girls in Esbjerg will guide this project. By engaging them in the entire process, we can prioritize their needs and wishes,” says Maya Shpiro, Social Impact and Co-creation Lead.
"The lived experience of girls in Esbjerg will guide this project. By engaging them in the entire process, we can prioritize their needs and wishes."
Maya Shpiro
Social Impact and Co-creation Lead
Esbjerg, like many cities worldwide, faces challenges related to youth well-being—loneliness, drinking culture, and the pressures of social media. However, compared to other parts of Denmark, girls in Esbjerg are underrepresented in youth clubs and meeting places, often gravitating toward shopping centers and eateries, environments that can create conflict and insecurity.
“This project offers a unique opportunity to apply cutting-edge research to create meaningful public spaces for our young residents. By developing a space in the city center that serves as a true alternative to digital platforms, we are investing in the social fabric and well-being of our youth. Teenagers are among the most frequent users of public spaces, and we want them to develop a sense of belonging in Esbjerg. We aim for them to see the city as an important part of their lives, where they can envision their transition into adulthood and a promising future,” says Deputy Director for Esbjerg Municipality and Head of Urban Development Peer Rexen.
Rethinking play for more inclusive cities
At the heart of the project is a new way of thinking about play. This isn’t about playgrounds—it’s about integrating play into the urban fabric in ways that foster creativity, connection, and community.
“Rather than introducing traditional playground elements, the project explores new interpretations of play—rethinking how it can be woven into urban landscapes to ignite imagination and connection. Play is a vital part of personal and social development, and through this initiative, we’re seeking to create spaces that inspire creativity and strengthen community bonds while addressing the unique needs of teenage girls,” says Yalda Pilehchian, Senior Strategic Urban Designer, Ramboll.
"Rather than introducing traditional playground elements, the project explores new interpretations of play—rethinking how it can be woven into urban landscapes to ignite imagination and connection."
Yalda Pilehchian
Senior Strategic Urban Designer, Ramboll
A two-phase approach to co-creation
This project takes a unique, iterative approach, testing and refining ideas before finalizing a large-scale urban space.
Phase 1: Temporary interventions – Teenage girls will lead the design of temporary urban interventions in Esbjerg’s city center through a co-creative process. Insights gathered from engagement sessions will shape these pilot projects, which will be implemented and evaluated to understand their impact on creating welcoming and engaging spaces.
Phase 2: Permanent urban space design – The lessons learned will inform the design of a permanent urban space, incorporating principles such as circular materials to prioritize environmental sustainability and social inclusion.
A scalable model for inclusive cities
This isn’t just about Esbjerg—it’s about rethinking urban inclusion on a global scale. By addressing a demographic often overlooked in public space design, the project highlights the transformative potential of reimagining play as a tool for inclusivity. Beyond recreation, play encourages empathy, imagination, and social connection—key elements in promoting mental well-being, diversity, and equity in urban environments.
“For real, lasting change, we need to build a coalition of change-makers—a movement that champions inclusivity at every level. This project is a good example of what can be ignited when sectors unite with purpose. Using our Urban Minded research framework we can put unheard voices front and center. Why can’t we have a new standard for equity, wellbeing and creativity at the heart of urban life? The impact of this initiative will resonate beyond Esbjerg and should be a model for cities around the world,” says Jakob Strømann-Andersen, Innovation and Sustainability Director.
We’ve already begun engaging with local teens through workshops and interviews. This is just the beginning! By researching, testing and learning, we aim to create a scalable model for cities worldwide. Stay tuned as we bring Urban Minded to life!
