Reimagining walkable cities: exploring the experience of mothers of premature babies

Source abstract

This article highlights an overlooked social group in urban planning: first-time mothers of premature babies requiring neonatal care. It explores how to reimagine urban spaces for a sustainable and inclusive city. Set in inner London, the article delves into the challenges these mothers face while caring for their newborns, who often rely on medical aids. These mothers face practical challenges when navigating the city, including being vulnerable to infections and managing oxygen tanks and nonfolding prams, which can lead to complications that make urban travel difficult. Based on an interdisciplinary research project with neonatologists, the article explores the emotional and sensory experiences of mothers navigating the city. Using diary entries and walking interviews, it calls for integrating emotional responses into urban planning to create more inclusive and sustainable cities.