Putting Teens at the Center

Maximizing Public Utility of Urban Space Through Youth Involvement in Planning and Employment

Abstract

Including teens' needs in the planning and maintenance of urban open space suggests new methods of layering utility and maximizing benefit to teens and community. Berkeley Youth Alternatives (BY A) offers two programs that attract youth through employment, and as a result provide at-risk teens with income, job-training, safe after-school activity and self-esteem. This paper discusses the BY A Youth Employment Landscape Program and BYA Community Garden Patch. Program descriptions and evaluation provide future direction for similar projects.