Table 2 Extracts summarising the affordances young people described in relation to transport and green and public space

Social inclusion

“…getting driven…gives us a few minutes to catch up” (James, Christchurch)

“…going by taxi I meet different people and characters” (Participant G, Makhanda)

“I go with my friend…as far as Yokohama station” (Participant B1, Yokohama)

“I live on one side of town and my friends live on the other side of town” (Greta, Christchurch)

“The quality [of transport] depends very much on the place you’re going” (Bárbara, São Paulo)

“a group of friends…would go to the beach.” (Eliza, Christchurch)

“[I] Spend time with friends in playgrounds and parks.” (Participant T, Dhaka)

“Vauxhall Park…it’s very nice sociable area” (Lambeth)

“There is no space for us” (Participant A, Dhaka)

“there’s nothing at the moment that I can think of socially that you can do here” (Lambeth)

“[the security guard] says that making noise and that we should leave” (Participant O, Makhanda)

Autonomy

“Biking…is a fun way to explore” (Eliza, Christchurch)

“I can just take [the bikes] and go wherever I want” (Lambeth)

“The car gives you…autonomy” (Marcos, São Paulo)

“I can’t drive and you do lose that element of independence” (Lambeth)

“My mom won’t let me go out alone” (Marina, São Paulo)

“Women also don’t know how to drive” (Participant 6, Jagdamba Camp)

“I’ve been everywhere there is to go with my friends” (Tom, Christchurch

“I roam around with my friends” (Participant 1, Jagdamba Camp)

“You can do anything there” (Lambeth)

“My brother do not allow me to go outside” (Participant R, Dhaka)

“[My housemate] doesn’t feel comfortable walking through that park” (Lambeth)

Physical comfort and security

“it makes it safer…having the bike lanes” (Molly, Christchurch)

“I use family car because it’s safer” (Participant Y, Makhanda)

“I get the bus instead…it’s way more pleasant” (Lambeth)

“I’m often harassed on the bus” (Participant N, Dhaka)

“At night…there is much harassment” (Bárbara, São Paulo)

“All of the trains that I use are crowded” (Participant B5, Yokohama)

“If I’ve got nothing to do I’ll go down to the library” (Andrea, Christchurch)

“I feel quite safe walking in the park…because of the lighting and the second reason is because there are normally quite a few people around there” (Lambeth)

“[We] just need somewhere warm and enclosed that can be safe” (Erena, Christchurch)

“if we could have recreational facilities which are safe [for] children and youth” (Participant I, Makhanda)

Relaxation and reflection

“I enjoy my morning walks to campus…I…listen to music and just reflect on…my life” (Participant C, Makhanda)

“Crossing the river on your commute” (Lambeth)

“It is quiet...you can listen to bird sounds, trees, bars nearby...I love it!” (Bruna, São Paulo)

“It just doesn’t feel as nice, low street lights so they just don’t work as well as the richer better parts of Christchurch” (Molly, Christchurch)

“Nature is beautiful, there are lots of trees here” (Participant R, Dhaka)

“Having this area…it’s really nice and relaxing” (Lambeth)

“we have trees, green grass around us that is what I love” (Participant G, Makhanda)

“I have no time to spend in leisure activities” (Participant S, Dhaka)

“in the [botanical] gardens people dump stuff there” (Participant C, Makhanda)

“while there may be some greenery in this part of the city, over my way there’s none at all” (Participant B4, Yokohama)

Health and fitness

“Usually I go by walk and rickshaw. Good side of walking is physical fitness” (Participant P, Dhaka)

“I enjoy walking a lot as I get to exercise. Exercise helps to clear my mind” (Participant L, Makhanda)

“[biking is] good exercise” (Yokohama)

“I feel uncomfortable when I ride a bicycle” (Participant E, Dhaka)

“I am very lazy when it comes to walking” (Participant O, Makhanda)

“It’d be great if you could get on the train with your bicycle” (Yokohama)

“Playing sports at Hagley Park” (Spencer, Christchurch)

“I can meet my friend and play Badminton.” (Participant T, Dhaka)

“We play sports like cricket” (Participant 1, Jagdamba Camp)

“There is a scarcity of playgrounds here” (Participant R, Dhaka)

“Only the older ones have access to [the equipment]” (Participant A, Makhanda)

“When I go running the air is so bad I’d start feeling sick” (Participant A4, Yokohama)