The study is the outcome of international cooperation in 2026 among the Sharjah Health Authority, represented by the Sharjah Child-Friendly Office; the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat); and the World Health Organization. It presents Sharjah as a city-level model for child-friendly urban planning, public-space development, urban health, safety, climate resilience, and access to green and open spaces. The study reflects the Emirate’s efforts in child-friendly urban planning from 2017 to 2023.

The study highlights Sharjah’s approach to involving children and young people in the urban planning process and to developing public spaces that respond to their needs, including safe places for play, green and open spaces, and measures that support adaptation to heat and climate conditions, while promoting physical activity, social interaction, and children’s wellbeing.

Dr Abdulaziz Al Muhairi, Chairman of the Sharjah Health Authority, said: “The documentation of Sharjah’s experience in a study published by the World Health Organization marks an important milestone in the Emirate’s journey towards building an urban environment that places children’s health and wellbeing at the heart of development. This is achieved through the planning, direction, and follow-up of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, and his wife, Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Family and Community Council, may Allah protect them. We regard this study as international recognition of the importance of Sharjah’s approach, which connects health, quality of life, and urban planning, and affirms that designing cities to respond to children’s needs contributes to building healthier, safer, and more sustainable communities. We hope this experience will enrich the global dialogue on child-friendly cities and inspire similar initiatives around the world.”

The WHO study also documents that Sharjah has become the first city in the world to issue child-friendly urban planning guidelines through a decision of the Executive Council, reflecting the transition of child-friendly planning principles from individual initiatives to an approved planning framework at the Emirate-wide level.

The publication of the study marks a significant milestone for Sharjah as a healthy city and child-friendly emirate, demonstrating how local initiatives can contribute to global knowledge on urban health, public spaces, climate resilience, and children’s wellbeing.