Participatory Planning; Providing Conceptual Model of Factors Affecting Children's Participation in Urban Planning

This paper aims to present a conceptual model for analyzing the factors affecting the participation of children in urban planning. One of the effective ways to implement urban development projects is to increase citizens’ participation in the preparation and implementation of such schemes. Due to the age and awareness of children from the city, their participation is associated with a particular sensibility in the city. Therefore, the accompaniment of children in urban affairs requires a comprehensive and holistic view. Although urban planning research has emphasized the need for the participation of all segments of society, including children, so far, but few has comprehensively provided a conceptual framework for the participation of children in urban planning. The participation of children is influenced by many factors; however, most research has focused on limited aspects. This paper discusses the history of children's participation in the widespread expression of theorists in this field. The methodology is based on documentary research methodology, which mainly contains information and results provided by previous authors and researchers in the respective filed discussed. Documentary research method has been considered as a comprehensive and technical way to strengthen other qualitative methods. Finally, the conceptual model is presented. The proposed model covers the field of software including rules and education, and hardware domain, including planning institutions and urban management institutions.