Child City: A Pilot Project for Nurturing 21st Century Global Citizens through Integrated Early Childhood Care and Education

Abstract

The Child City pilot project envisions a transformative environment that nurtures children’s holistic growth through a balanced Head, Heart, and Hand approach. Drawing inspiration from UNESCO’s ECCE framework-while embedding innovative, locally rooted concepts-the initiative focuses on children aged 3-18.It integrates sustainable urban design, inclusive learning hubs, cultural enrichment, and environmental stewardship to cultivate creativity, empathy, and practical life skills.

Through active community participation—engaging parents, educators, and civic stakeholders-Child City aims to develop resilient, socially responsible, and globally minded citizens. Designed as a scalable and replicable model for cities worldwide, the project demonstrates that purposeful design and inclusive governance can create spaces where every child thrives. It is closely aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), advancing education, sustainability, and social equity.