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Abstract
In this thesis, I focus on children's participation in the development of strategies that help to make communities more child friendly. I first examine the seven realms of children's participation in urban planning and design. I then focus on one of these realms, the 'needs realm,' in which literature from environmental psychology and other relevant child-nature sources is used to gain insight into the perceptions and needs of children in their outdoor environments. Then, using interview methods from environmental psychology, I consult children who live in an urbanizing area, Jefferson Georgia, to determine their unique experiences and perceptions in outdoor spaces. My findings, generated from a scientific methodology, are then applied to environmental design solutions that help preserve and enhance children's access to and the experiential quality of their outdoor spaces.