🏙️ What Young Planners Can Do to Make Cities Livable for All

“Cities are not just built with concrete—they’re built with dreams, purpose, and people. And young people have the power to shape them all.”

📍 Introduction: Why Cities Matter Now More Than Ever

In Bangladesh, urbanization is happening at breakneck speed. By 2030, over half the population is expected to live in cities. Yet, many urban areas—from Dhaka to Rajshahi—struggle with overcrowding, pollution, poor infrastructure, and inequality.

Cities should be places of opportunity, innovation, and dignity—but for many, they are sites of hardship.

Here’s the good news: young people can help change that.

At Serene Planet, we believe that youth-led urban planning and community engagement are vital to making cities more inclusive, sustainable, and livable for all. Whether you’re a student, community volunteer, aspiring urban planner, or just someone passionate about better cities—this guide is for you.

🌆 Understanding the Urban Challenges We Face

Before diving into solutions, let’s look at some of the key challenges that make many Bangladeshi cities difficult to live in:

Overcrowding and poor housing in slum settlements
Inefficient transportation systems and traffic congestion
Lack of green space and recreational areas
Insufficient access to clean water and sanitation
Urban poverty and informal labor struggles
Waste mismanagement and air pollution
Exclusion of marginalized groups from planning decisions

These problems don’t affect everyone equally. Low-income communities, people with disabilities, and women often bear the brunt.

👥 The Role of Youth in Urban Planning

Youth voices are often missing from city planning conversations—but they shouldn’t be. Here’s why young people are key to solving urban challenges:

✅ They bring fresh ideas and innovation
✅ They understand the needs of future generations
✅ They’re tech-savvy and adaptive
✅ They are passionate about inclusion and sustainability
✅ They represent the largest demographic group in Bangladesh

When empowered with the right knowledge and tools, young planners can bridge the gap between people and policy—turning small ideas into big impact.

🛠️ What Can Young Planners Actually Do?

Whether you’re studying architecture, environmental science, sociology, or just have a heart for urban transformation—there’s a role for you in making cities better.

Here are 10 things young planners can start doing today:

1. Start with Local Research

“You can’t solve what you don’t understand.”

Use surveys, interviews, and mapping tools to understand the needs and pain points of your community.

✅ Conduct participatory research in slum areas
✅ Use GIS tools to map services like water access, toilets, or green spaces
✅ Talk to community members—not just officials

At Serene Planet, we trained student volunteers in Rajshahi to conduct youth-led urban research, which led to real design suggestions for neighborhood improvements.

2. Advocate for Participatory Planning

Urban planning should be a conversation, not a top-down decree. Advocate for inclusive city development where everyone—especially slum dwellers, disabled persons, and low-income communities—has a voice.

🎤 Organize community forums
📜 Petition local governments for open consultations
🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Use your networks to bring young people into planning discussions

3. Promote Green Urbanism

Green spaces are not just pretty—they’re essential for health, mental well-being, and climate resilience.

🌳 Start rooftop gardening initiatives
🪴 Create urban green corners in schools and community centers
♻️ Advocate for more parks and public spaces

Our team in Dhaka converted three school rooftops into green gardens that now serve as science labs and relaxation zones for students.

4. Design for Inclusion

Good design isn’t just functional—it’s inclusive. That means planning for everyone, including the elderly, disabled, and children.

✅ Design ramps and tactile paving in walkways
✅ Create child-friendly spaces and public toilets
✅ Work with women’s groups to identify safety concerns

Use universal design principles in all community-based design thinking workshops.

5. Experiment with Tactical Urbanism

Tactical urbanism refers to low-cost, temporary interventions that can improve neighborhoods. These small projects often lead to lasting changes.

Examples:

Pop-up crosswalks
Painted public benches
Street art for awareness
Temporary bike lanes or mini-markets

In Chittagong, our youth team transformed a neglected corner of a market into a “safe rest zone” with shade, benches, and signage using just recycled materials.

6. Raise Urban Awareness on Social Media

Leverage the power of digital storytelling to advocate for better cities.

📱 Create Instagram reels about local urban issues
📷 Post “before and after” photos of clean-up or greening drives
🎥 Interview elders, workers, or youth on their city experiences

When people start caring about urban life, change follows.

7. Collaborate with Local Governments

Don’t just criticize—collaborate.

Attend open town hall meetings. Write proposals. Present your ideas. Offer data from your community surveys.

When young people show up with solutions, governments are more likely to listen.

8. Learn Urban Planning Tools

Build your toolkit! Learn basics of:

🗺️ GIS and mapping
🏘️ Urban design software (SketchUp, AutoCAD)
📊 Survey tools (KoboToolbox, Google Forms)
📚 Planning policy and land use regulations in Bangladesh

Offer your skills in school projects or internships with urban NGOs.

9. Run Community Workshops and Urban Labs

Empower others. Run workshops that allow local youth, children, and elders to reimagine their spaces.

🖍️ Host “Design Your Dream City” days
🗣️ Facilitate storytelling and mapping sessions
🧠 Use LEGO or paper prototyping for design play

Involving communities increases buy-in and long-term sustainability.

10. Join or Start an Urban Youth Network

You’re not alone. Cities across Bangladesh have young people doing great things—connect with them!

🤝 Join Serene Planet’s Urbanization Team
📢 Start a campus-based urban action club
💼 Network with architecture students, climate advocates, and community organizers

Together, we’re stronger—and we can build momentum for a more livable future.

💬 Real Voices: Youth Changing Cities

“We used to complain about poor drainage and garbage. Now, we map them, document them, and present our findings to the city office. They know our names now.”
— Sadia, Urban Youth Team Lead, Rajshahi

“My dream is to build neighborhoods that feel safe and joyful for everyone. That starts by listening.”
— Tanvir, Architecture Student, Dhaka

“It was just a barren rooftop. Now it’s a green classroom. We built it with our own hands.”
— Ruma, Student Volunteer, Serene Planet Chittagong Team

🧭 Final Thoughts: The City is Your Canvas

Cities are living systems. They grow, evolve, and reflect the people within them. As a young planner, you don’t need permission to care. You just need purpose.

Whether it’s planting trees, mapping water points, or redesigning a public square, your small steps can reshape how a city feels and functions.

And remember—urban justice is not about glossy buildings. It’s about dignity, access, and hope.