THEMES / SOCIETAL UNDERSTANDINGS / CYCLES

CYCLES | Children and Youth in Cities—Lifestyle Evaluations and Sustainability

Cities are youthful places. By 2050, seven out of ten young people will live in an urbanising area. Cities are also centres of consumption. Urban areas cover two percent of the world’s land area, but they are sites of 70 percent of resource use and greenhouse gas emissions. Understanding the lifestyles and aspirations of young people living in cities motivates the CYCLES project, a study of the lives of young urban citizens aged between 12 and 24 years living in very different cities and contexts. Our aim in CYCLES is to identify and share young urban experiences and ideas for living well within environmental limits. 

Publications

  • City brochures: For each city we show young peoples’ evaluation of how satisfied they are with their lives, what they consider is most important for living well and what they identify as the best and worst things about their city.
  • Exhibition catalogue: In each city, small groups of young people, aged from 12–24, took photos or drew pictures to illustrate ‘a day in our lives’ and then discussed their images with us, focusing on what they valued and what they would like to change. We created a travelling exhibition from these pictures.
  • Scoping study: This report provides an initial sketch of our first seven case study cities, drawing from in-depth audits compiled by our research teams in the seven locations.
  • Academic outputs: We also publish our findings in peer-reviewed academic journals.

 

City Brochures →
Exhibition Catalogue →
Scoping Study →

CYCLES is based in seven cities that span six continents, including some of the world’s largest mega-cities with 10 million inhabitants or more.

They also include small cities of fewer than 500,000 inhabitants, where nearly half of the world’s 4.1 billion urban dwellers reside.

Namely, our partners work in Christchurch, NZ • Dhaka, BD • Makhanda, ZA • London, UK • New Delhi, IN • São Paulo, BR • Yokohama, JP.

Research Methods

Our research involves a three-step process using a range of methods, with results analysed by local research teams under the coordination of CUSP, and shared globally via reports, exhibitions, film, and local outreach.

Step 1 | City contextual reviews: understanding local sustainability challenges

CYCLES began with desk-based reviews of sustainability challenges, opportunities and interventions in each city. The report can be accessed in pdf.

Step 2 | Focus groups and photo elicitation: “A day in our lives”

Interactive focus groups, interviews and photo diaries compiled by young city residents provided culturally relevant insights into young people’s everyday consumption, what they value, and their aspirations for the future. To celebrate ‘A day in our lives’, we developed an exhibition, on show between Nov 2018 and January 2019. The catalogue can be accessed on the exhibition page.

Step 3 | Quantitative city surveys: “How we live now”

Building from the ‘a day in my life’ small scale insights, a mixed method online survey of wider populations in these cities will inform city, regional and international best practice.

Celebrating Young Urban Lives

Our exhibitions (the first one on show at The Foundry, from Nov 2018 to January 2019) celebrate everyday aspects of young people’s urban lives—yet issues emerged across our seven international cities which demand attention. Secure homes and rewarding relationships were identified as central to youth wellbeing but the practicality of heating or cooling homes, and affording accommodation with space for intergenerational lifestyles is creating strain for many. Other issues emerged too: the need for secure streets and regular affordable public transport; access to green spaces; clean water and air. The pleasure that young people take from interaction with friends and the value they place on freedom to get around their city was evident. Education stress, precarious employment, loss of green space and youth mental health are key priorities, but so too is celebrating the places and activities urban young people value.

Ethics

All research teams followed UNICEF’s guidelines for Ethical Research Involving Children (ERIC), with the research carried out by University teams conforming to the requirements of their Ethics Committees. For more details about how the research was carried out, please see our exhibition catalogue, or contact Sue Venn.

Project News

Having first showed in London, UK and in Christchurch, New Zealand, the CYCLES exhibition has now been brought to Makhanda; and forms part of the National Arts Festival, South Africa.
Having first showed in London, UK and in Christchurch, New Zealand, the CYCLES exhibition has now been brought to Makhanda; and forms part of the National Arts Festival, South Africa.
Arts
CYCLES
Society
June 19, 2023
The investment in public transport announced in the 2023 Budget by the New Zealand Government will have far-reaching benefits for the climate and for overall wellbeing. But our CYCLES study shows young people want much more.
The investment in public transport announced in the 2023 Budget by the New Zealand Government will have far-reaching benefits for the climate and for overall wellbeing. But our CYCLES study shows young people want much more.
CYCLES
Society
May 24, 2023
CYCLES is an international research project based in seven cities that span six continents. Following a scoping review, photo-elicitation focus groups, and a survey, we have now produced a series of brochures that present an accessible overview of key survey findings.
CYCLES is an international research project based in seven cities that span six continents. Following a scoping review, photo-elicitation focus groups, and a survey, we have now produced a series of brochures that present an accessible overview of key survey findings.
CYCLES
Society
June 21, 2022
Fast food seems unequivocally at odds with any moves towards more sustainable food consumption. It is identified as a major contributor to obesity, health inequalities, and to environmental impacts through its production and distribution. However, this problematisation of fast food ignores its contribution to understandings of “living well”, particularly for young people.
Fast food seems unequivocally at odds with any moves towards more sustainable food consumption. It is identified as a major contributor to obesity, health inequalities, and to environmental impacts through its production and distribution. However, this problematisation of fast food ignores its contribution to understandings of “living well”, particularly for young people.
CYCLES
Food
Health
Society
November 15, 2021
Youth Attitudes and Participation in Climate Protest: An international cities comparison | Journal paper
Youth Attitudes and Participation in Climate Protest: An international cities comparison | Journal paper
CYCLES
Society
September 15, 2021
In a free webinar on Thursday, December 3rd, at 2pm Brazilian Time, the Akatu Institute will present the main Brazilian results of the CYCLES survey: Children and Youth in Cities – Lifestyle Evaluations and Sustainability. Helio Mattar, Akatu’s CEO, will highlight key findings from both national data and some relating specifically to São Paulo, on 12 to 24 years old’s feelings of happiness, satisfaction and positivity with life including aspects such as financial concern, willingness to practice activities and consumption habits.
In a free webinar on Thursday, December 3rd, at 2pm Brazilian Time, the Akatu Institute will present the main Brazilian results of the CYCLES survey: Children and Youth in Cities – Lifestyle Evaluations and Sustainability. Helio Mattar, Akatu’s CEO, will highlight key findings from both national data and some relating specifically to São Paulo, on 12 to 24 years old’s feelings of happiness, satisfaction and positivity with life including aspects such as financial concern, willingness to practice activities and consumption habits.
CYCLES
Society
November 25, 2020
This journal paper provides a comparative analysis of young people’s experiences with local transport and green space in seven diverse urban communities (Christchurch, New Zealand; Dhaka, Bangladesh; Lambeth/London, UK; Makhanda, South Africa; New Delhi, India; São Paulo, Brazil; and Yokohama, Japan)—as part of the CYCLES study.
This journal paper provides a comparative analysis of young people’s experiences with local transport and green space in seven diverse urban communities (Christchurch, New Zealand; Dhaka, Bangladesh; Lambeth/London, UK; Makhanda, South Africa; New Delhi, India; São Paulo, Brazil; and Yokohama, Japan)—as part of the CYCLES study.
CYCLES
Health
Society
October 30, 2020
Thinking about what a community needs to do to support young citizens to live well is a key question that our international CYCLES study is exploring in seven cities around the globe. In this blog, CUSP research fellow Dr Kate Prendergast is summarising early learnings from the research in Christchurch Ōtautahi that asked 12-24 year olds what they like and would like to change about living in their city.
Thinking about what a community needs to do to support young citizens to live well is a key question that our international CYCLES study is exploring in seven cities around the globe. In this blog, CUSP research fellow Dr Kate Prendergast is summarising early learnings from the research in Christchurch Ōtautahi that asked 12-24 year olds what they like and would like to change about living in their city.
CYCLES
Society
October 18, 2020
CUSP researchers are looking for schools, youth clubs and youth organisations that could support them in delivering a 15-min survey on youth urban experiences and ideas for living fair and good lives within environmental limits to young people aged 12-15 and living in #Lambeth. Please contact cycleslambeth@surrey.ac.uk for further details.
CUSP researchers are looking for schools, youth clubs and youth organisations that could support them in delivering a 15-min survey on youth urban experiences and ideas for living fair and good lives within environmental limits to young people aged 12-15 and living in #Lambeth. Please contact cycleslambeth@surrey.ac.uk for further details.
CYCLES
Society
October 1, 2020
In this paper, we reflect on our experiences of planning and conducting the International CYCLES project involving photo elicitation with young people in Bangladesh, Brazil, India, Japan, New Zealand, South Africa and the UK. While some issues such as varying access to technology for taking and sharing photos and diverse cultural sensitivities around the use of photography were anticipated in advance, others were more unexpected.
In this paper, we reflect on our experiences of planning and conducting the International CYCLES project involving photo elicitation with young people in Bangladesh, Brazil, India, Japan, New Zealand, South Africa and the UK. While some issues such as varying access to technology for taking and sharing photos and diverse cultural sensitivities around the use of photography were anticipated in advance, others were more unexpected.
CYCLES
Society
November 4, 2019
Youth Studies: Collaboration, Creativity and Complexities | Manchester Conference w CUSP sessions and CYCLES exhibition, 26-27 June 2019
Youth Studies: Collaboration, Creativity and Complexities | Manchester Conference w CUSP sessions and CYCLES exhibition, 26-27 June 2019
CYCLES
Society
June 6, 2019
CYCLES. A Touring Exhibition
CYCLES. A Touring Exhibition
CYCLES
Society
December 7, 2018
In our research we have been listening to young people around the world talk about their everyday lives, including what they like about where they live and what they might like to change. Following our opening on 7 November 2018 as part of the ESRC Festival of Social Science, the exhibition is on show until the end of January.
In our research we have been listening to young people around the world talk about their everyday lives, including what they like about where they live and what they might like to change. Following our opening on 7 November 2018 as part of the ESRC Festival of Social Science, the exhibition is on show until the end of January.
CYCLES
Society
December 8, 2018
How do young people see the world? What are their hopes and aspirations for the future? What does the ‘good life’ mean for them in an age of environmental and social limits? These are some of the questions that motivate the CYCLES project which we are launching with this report.
How do young people see the world? What are their hopes and aspirations for the future? What does the ‘good life’ mean for them in an age of environmental and social limits? These are some of the questions that motivate the CYCLES project which we are launching with this report.
CYCLES
Society
September 19, 2017
How do young people see the world? What are their hopes and aspirations for the future? What does the ‘good life’ mean for them in an age of environmental and social limits? These are some of the questions that motivate the CYCLES project which we are delighted to launch. This event marks the launch of the project and the publication of the study’s first background city report.
How do young people see the world? What are their hopes and aspirations for the future? What does the ‘good life’ mean for them in an age of environmental and social limits? These are some of the questions that motivate the CYCLES project which we are delighted to launch. This event marks the launch of the project and the publication of the study’s first background city report.
CYCLES
Society
August 15, 2017
“What can children tell you about the good life? Oh popsicles are great, raisins suck.’’ — conversations like this can make for a good laugh, but exemplify an almost systemic skepticism towards children’s legitimacy in social debate, CUSP researcher Anastasia Loukianov finds. There are compelling reasons, she argues, for working alongside young people in defining what it might mean to live well in a world of planetary limits.
“What can children tell you about the good life? Oh popsicles are great, raisins suck.’’ — conversations like this can make for a good laugh, but exemplify an almost systemic skepticism towards children’s legitimacy in social debate, CUSP researcher Anastasia Loukianov finds. There are compelling reasons, she argues, for working alongside young people in defining what it might mean to live well in a world of planetary limits.
Society
October 7, 2018

As with all our CUSP work, we aren’t just interested in understanding for its own sake. We want the CYCLES research to be something which can be used by city planners, local authorities, by community groups, by businesses who are interested to improve the quality of life for young people in their cities. Listen to CUSP Deputy Director Kate Burningham briefly outlining the context and wider purpose of our project, and what the next steps are — in the video below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m04sMqkJMVs

Project Management

In 2014, UNEP funded researchers from the Sustainable Lifestyles Research Group at the University of Surrey, UK (Prof Tim Jackson, Dr Kate Burningham and Dr Sue Venn) and the University of Canterbury, Christchurch, NZ (Prof Bronwyn Hayward) to develop the initial project methodology for CYCLES. CYCLES is now part of CUSP. An International Advisory Board of key experts in youth and sustainability research will support and inform the vision and impact of CYCLES. Members are Dr Stefanos Fotiou, Professor Golam Moinuddin, Dr Patricia Pinho, Dr Pritpal Randhawa, Mary Richardson, Professor Juliet Schor, Dr James Sloam, Professor Takako Takano and Penny Urquhart.

Lead researchers are: Bronwyn Hayward, Kate Burningham, Anastasia Loukianov, Sylvia Nissen, Kate Prendergast, Sue Venn and Tim Jackson.

Partners are:

  • Ingrid Schudel, Mandilive Matiwane, Patience Shawarira and Lona Musiyiwa, Rhodes University, South Africa
  • Helio Mattar, Sofia Ferraz and Michael Oliveira, Akatu Institute for Conscious Consumption, São Paulo, Brazil
  • Vimlendu Jha, Aakriti Gupta and Tanvee Kakati, Swechha, New Delhi, India
  • Midori Aoyagi and Aya Yoshida, NIES, Tsukuba, Japan
  • Mohammad Mehedi Hasan, CUSP, University of Canterbury NZ /Jahangirmgar University Bangladesh

The project in perspective

Bronwyn Hayward, project lead: “It is exciting to bring seven international research teams together to share our insights into challenges facing young people in cities around the world.”

Tim Jackson, CUSP Director: “Our hope is to launch a vital conversation about young people’s prospects for the future. To understand those prospects is to understand the hopes for human development. To improve them is to enrich our own lives.”

Helio Mattar, research lead for São Paulo: “The challenge of sustainable prosperity, when looked at from the point of view of young people, is to guarantee the enabling conditions for young people to feel secure enough to use their abilities and competences in a way that expands their possibilities rather than putting light in their obstacles to prosper. In other words, to unveil the enabling conditions for young people have a bright consciousness of their best possible self to achieve their hopes and dreams in a sustainable way.”

Vimlendu Jha, project lead in Delhi: “India and its youth are going through a rapid transition. We need a common understanding of sustainability, with mutual respect for each others’ approach.”

Midori Aoyagi, who is leading the work in the city of Yokohama adds: “In Japan, kids poverty is a crucial challenge and young people’s lives in Japan are increasingly polarised: some have opportunity, some are living without any hope.”

Lona Musiyiwa, working on the project in Makhanda (formerly Grahamstown), South Africa: “CYCLES is an important project for us in [Makhanda]. Environmental pressures such as water scarcity are a major problem for our youth. Finding ways for young people to manage their future in a sustainable manner is a crucial aspect for us.”

The aim over the next three years is to identify pragmatic ways to help young people across the world achieve their full potential—within the limits of a finite planet. CYCLES will identify and learn from best practices in these communities how to support young people to flourish sustainably.

Contact

For further information, please contact Prof Bronwyn Hayward bronwyn.hayward@canterbury.ac.nz.

www.cusp.ac.uk/cycles
* Expert advisors from the following organisations contributed to this conceptualization of CYCLES: United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP); United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO); United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF); the Partnership for Education and Research about Responsible Living (PERL); the International Social Science Council (ISSC); Consumers International; Collaborating Centre on Sustainable Consumption and Production (CSCP).