Night-Time Economy Systems Maps
Mapping the night-time economy at a local level to reduce unequal harms
Young people exposed to harms in city centre due to lack of positive green spaces
Source of power:
State
Space of power:
CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE
Description:
Participants reported that they would like to see young people in the city centre as they can be relatively supervised there, and there should be facilities available to them there. However, they noted that young people are also exposed to some harms in the city centre, such as "drunk adults" at night, which is why they have historically been excluded from the city centre. They felt there was a "balance" to be achieved here. One participant noted that young people congregate in the city centre anyway, particularly near the bus station as there is lighting in the evening and they can get the bus home from there. This area has previously been a "hotspot" for antisocial behaviour. A participant from the planning department felt there was a need to have more green spaces for young people to "go and do positive things" such as play football, rather than loiter in the city centre and be seen as a "nuisance". They felt Derby lacked city centre green spaces, relative to other cities (e.g., Manchester’s parks around Piccadilly station, which have play areas and spaces for people to sit and socialise).
Quotes from participants:
~ "...we want children in the city centre, because there’s lots of people to look over them, there’s an offer for them, or there should be an offer for them. But… are we exposing them to some of the harms, which is why we’ve always excluded them from the city centre in the past… we don’t want them walking around the city centre around a load of drunk adults. It’s the balance..."
~ "... they [young people] hang around near the bus station because there’s lighting and they can get the bus home, etc....we know that’s previously been a hotspot for ASB... we definitely need to do more with young people if we’re going to change..."
~ "... having green spaces for young people to go and do positive things, whether it’s kick a football around, or whatever it might be, as opposed to just coming into town and gathering and being perceived as being a nuisance... other city centres will have more green spaces and spaces for people to go and… have a positive experience..."