Comment: Urban life can be enriching but exhausting for new parents. Between managing sleep-deprived nights, feeding schedules, and the daily logistics of moving around with small children, even short trips outside can feel like a challenge.
Yet our new research with 157 new parents across Aotearoa New Zealand shows walking during early parenthood is far more than a mode of transport—it can support mental and physical health, community connection, and belonging.
Parents in our study described walking as a way to restore calm, reconnect with themselves and their children, and feel grounded in their neighbourhoods. These walks were seldom only about exercise; rather, they were small acts of wellbeing woven into daily routines. As one participant said: "Walking is what keeps me sane as a parent."
Just over half (56 percent) described their walks as akin to wandering or meandering. "No destination, just snacks and drinks, and a relaxed attitude," said one.
But not all neighbourhoods supported this kind of "care-in-motion". Parents spoke about uneven pavements, lack of crossings, streets dominated by traffic, and lack of breastfeeding spaces.
Others mentioned how the absence of trees, nature, seating, or shade made walking uncomfortable or unappealing—especially with young children. For parents of toddlers, who walk at their own pace and are easily distracted, safety was a constant concern.
These seemingly mundane features of urban design can make the difference between a soothing outing and a stressful one.
At a time when urban growth and transport debates are often in the news, these parents’ experiences remind us that the quality of local environments—the safety of footpaths, the presence of trees, the friendliness of streets—can have a bearing on wellbeing.
Aotearoa’s urban planning systems have historically prioritised efficiency—how quickly we can move from A to B—rather than the quality of that movement. Decades of car-centred design and fragmented suburban growth have left many neighbourhoods ill-equipped to support the mobility of new parents and slow pace of walking with children in tow.
Yet it has long been recognised that supportive environments are key to promoting mental and physical wellbeing in cities. Bringing urban planning into closer dialogue with public health opens an opportunity to rethink cities as infrastructures of care: places designed not just for mobility, but for connection, health, and inclusion.
In our research, we introduce the concept of parent-centred urbanism—an approach that places caregiving at the heart of city planning and design, and recognises the everyday experiences of those raising children as central to urban health. This means valuing the small, slow, and often invisible mobilities that sustain family life: the daily walks, stroller trips, and park visits.
The concept draws on feminist theories of care as well as studies on the politics of mobility, which highlight how urban design is often influenced by assumptions about whose mobility matters the most—people in cars or people on foot?
Parent-centred urbanism also offers practical guidance. It highlights three interconnected “carescapes” that shape the health of parents and children: walkable cities that enable safe, connected, and accessible movement; shared spaces that foster social connection, belonging, and visibility in local neighbourhoods; and micro-structures, the small but vital details such as shade, seating, crossings, and surface quality. These aren’t luxuries—they are essential components of healthy, inclusive urban life.
Our findings echo the results of our previous research with new parents in suburban Wellington. Though the sample of parents in both studies was skewed towards mid-to-high-income earners, other research suggests parents in low-income households similarly benefit from having walkable neighbourhoods.
If we design cities that make parenting easier, we design cities that make living easier for everyone. Shade trees, benches, safe crossings, and nature spaces are not just for parents with prams; they benefit older adults, people with disabilities, and anyone who values moving through their neighbourhood at a human pace.
Creating care-centred cities doesn’t require radical overhauls, just a shift in perspective. When we plan with parents in mind, we build cities that are more compassionate, liveable, and healthy for all.
This article was originally published on Newsroom.
Mirjam Schindler is a senior lecturer in Human Geography and Eva Neely is a senior lecturer in Health Promotion at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.