Growing up in Cities
A global research study into young people’s contemporary urban life
How our research contributes to global knowledge
Growing Up in Cities is a global research project into young people’s urban life. Across 13 countries, researchers are examining adolescent's perceptions of urban space to better understand the impact the local environment has on their lives.
The Growing Up in Cities project replicates two benchmark adolescent studies done in 1972 and in 1998.
Our research focuses on issues that affect young people such as urbanisation, globalisation, digital practice and global warming.
This study’s aim is to empower young people and provide them with a voice that advocates for their health and wellbeing in contemporary urban contexts across the globe.
Our research seeks to:
- understand how young people (aged between 10 and 15 years) use and derive meaning from their local environment
- develop insight into how the urban environment affects their lives, through observation and based on young people’s own words
- apply this knowledge in support of meaningful change in the design and management of urban places.
Our research objectives
This third iteration of the study expands on the original two research studies from 1972 and 1998 by exploring how young people navigate contemporary urban life in an increasingly digital world. Namely it seeks to understand what urban life is like for a technology-driven generation and how devices like smartphones and other ‘wayfinding’ technologies shape knowledge and experience of the urban environment. This study is guided by its project aims and four key objectives.
Local environment
To determine young people’s use, knowledge and perceived value of their local environment.
Wellbeing and quality of life
To identify with young people issues that influence their wellbeing and quality of life, and opportunities for positive change in their urban setting.
Cultural settings
To suggest youth engagement methods that may best be used in particular urban and/or cultural settings (e.g. informal settlements in the Global South versus suburban areas in the Global North), as well as to identify methods that can be used across settings and cultures.
Community engagement
Where possible develop an activity, initiative or project for local and/or cross-site community engagement with young people where outcomes lead to improvements in their lives.
Participate in this project
We welcome involvement in the third iteration of the Growing Up in Cities project through joining us as a graduate research candidate, collaborating with our researchers or partnering with us as a government or commercial stakeholder.
Our researchers
Deakin’s contribution to this global study is being led by researchers who are experts in the built environment.
Associate Professor Beau Beza is an associate professor in the School of Architecture and Built Environment in the Faculty of Science, Engineering and Built Environment. His work focuses on the social production of space and to how use this knowledge to develop appropriate site solutions.
Dr Angela Kreutz is a senior lecturer in the School of Architecture and Built Environment in the Faculty of Science Engineering and Built Environment. Her research focuses on cross-cultural perceptions of space and how to apply a human-centred approach to architectural and urban design.
Our global impact
The project fosters collaboration between researchers, young people, and urban stakeholders across the globe to identify practical solutions for better urban living. The Growing Up In Cities research study spans 13 countries, with the following researchers conducting work across the world:
- Australia: Beau B. Beza, Angela Kreutz, Rudan Fan, Saliah Ali, Christopher Lynch, Frank Hanson, María del Pilar Álvarez López, Stephanie Beza, Scarlet Cridland, Kelly Greenop, Stephanie Wyeth, Maram Shaweesh, Kali Marnane and Laurel Johnson
- Canada: Juan Torres and Natasha Blanchet-Cohen
- Chile: Daniela Casanello Frisius
- China: Xia Wang, Pai Tang, Helen Woolley, Qinying Zhang, Yiqi Zhai, Xinrui Gao and Asma Bibi
- Colombia: Jaime Hernández-Garcia, Claudia Tovar-Guerra, Isaac Salgado-Ramirez, Kevin Esteban Salinas Jiménez, Isabel Arteaga-Arredondo, Clemencia Escallón Gartner and María José Álvarez-Rivadulla
- Germany: Angela Million (Uttke), Anna Juliane Heinrich, Ignacio Castillo Ulloa, Sarah Friedel and Ludovica Tomarchio
- Lebanon: Joana Dabaj, Riccardo Luca Conti, Sara Maassarani, Giulia Galli and Ramona Abdallah
- Nepal: Neeraj Dangol, Ang Tshering Sherpa, Tsering Shrestha, and Beau B. Beza
- Netherlands: Gerben Helleman
- New Zealand: Penelope Carroll and Karen Witten
- Nigeria: Taibat Lawanson, Abisoye Eleshin, Victor Abimbola Onifade, Damilola Olalekan and Anthony Okeregbe
- Philippines: Lyndsey Deaton
- USA: Cory Parker, Byoung-Suk Kweon, Janet Elizabeth Loebach, Boyoung Park and Patsy Eubanks Owens
Project Mentors: Louise Chawla*, Nilda Cosco, David Driskell*, Karen Malone, Robin Moore and Barry Percy-Smith*
In 2026, project findings are discussed in the forthcoming book Growing Up In Cities of the Twenty-First Century: A Global Study with Young People and Their Urban Environment. Available through Springer Publishing.
*Additional chapter contributors to the forthcoming publication.
Contact us
To learn more about the project or express interest in taking part, please contact the project lead coordinators.
