Growing Up in Cities (GUIC) is an international initiative sponsored by the UNESCO-MOST (Management of Social Transformations) programme. The purpose of GUIC is to involve children, youth, and community organisations, together with governmental and non-governmental agencies and academic institutions in evaluating and improving the environment of low income communities. To date, GUIC projects have been conducted or are underway in fourteen countries. Jordan has been added recently by UNESCO to the GUIC program. To launch Growing Up In Cities-Jordan two workshops will be held. One in Aqaba, hosted by UNESCO (February 13 - 14, 2002) and one in Amman, hosted by the Municipality of Greater Amman (February 17, 2002, 9:00 am - 1:00 pm). IS THERE A PLACE FOR CHILDREN IN THE CITY? is the workshop theme. The workshop objectives are: To introduce Growing Up in Cities as a viable programme in Jordan. To promote awareness and spark interest in the impact of the urban landscape on children's healthy development in low-income residential settlements. To forge partnerships and cooperation with governmental and non-governmental agencies, academic institutions and community based organizations committed to improving the quality of life of low income children in Jordan. To discuss the feasibility of influencing public policies in urban planning and community development with regard to the needs of children and youth. To introduce methods for engaging low-income residential communities in a participatory process leading to capacity building for self-help. In Amman, the mission of the Growing Up in Cities project is to understand how different housing types and urban spaces stimulate or inhibit healthy child development. At the same time, the project will promote community action in Jordan to help children become protagonists for positive change. For this to succeed, collaboration with community-based organisations and the municipal government is essential, particularly in the sectors of urban planning, community development, and education. The Amman GUIC project will explore the home environment in possibly three different settings: a refugee camp, a government-assisted housing project, and a Bedouin settlement. Particular attention will be placed on low-income families and households with children. In addition, the project will highlight stories of children who live in these housing types. What does decent housing mean to their quality of life and well-being? These issues will be explored by asking questions such as: How do young people use and perceive their neighborhood environment, and how does it shape their lives and sense of identity? How can children and young people be involved in enhancing their local environment and addressing its problems? What environmental and social supports do low-income, working class urban communities offer to children and young people? What factors prepare young people to invest hope and energy in their communities and cities by committing themselves to their improvement? How are rapidly changing global economic and social forces affecting the environments of urban childhood? How can negative consequences of these changes be addressed through city governance? How can effective partnerships be built among government officials, urban planners and designers, child advocates, researchers, community leaders and children and their families in order to promote environments for well-being. PRELIMINARY WORKSHOP AGENDA Welcome to workshop participants by his Excellence Nidal Al-Hadid, Lord Mayor of Greater Amman. Background to the international GUIC programme. History and accomplishments to date. Introduction to Growing Up in Cities in Amman: Purpose Research sites Training Partnerships Community participation Policy feasibility Questions and discussion session Next steps We look forward to your participation in the workshop. Robin C. Moore Professor of Landscape Architecture Director, Research and Training, GUIC-Jordan NC State University, Raleigh, USA Eyyad Al-khalaileh Doctoral Student in Design, NC State University, Raleigh, USA

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