BEE or not to be: linking built environment education and participation in planning processes

Abstract

This paper examines the relationship between built environment education and youth participation in urban planning. It draws on two case studies: the EU project Fantasy Design – Children in Community (2009–2011), which tested innovative participatory design methods across four countries, and the workshop Young Cities Now! Youth.City.Laboratory, where adolescents from different German urban development projects reflected on their experiences and produced a manifesto. The findings indicate that built environment education provides valuable tools for strengthening participation practices. While strong linkages between education and participation are evident, the authors argue that further research is needed and that a deliberate integration of both fields can significantly enhance participatory planning.