The increasing reliance on car-centric planning over the years has significantly undermined the accessibility and safety of vulnerable groups, especially children. The conflicts arising out of contested street ownership have posed further challenges for equitable allocation of street space in many cities. In response, the city of Ghent introduced School Streets with a view to creating more space for children, by guaranteeing them safe access, ease of active mobility and congestion and pollution free school environments. Using Ghent’s school streets as a case study, this thesis critically examines the interplay of the allocated space with its use and societal perceptions – i.e.