The Congress of Local Authorities urges the European cities and towns to step up measures of reintegrating street children. The situation of the minors living or working on streets was debated at the plenary session of the Congress this week, Info-Prim Neo has learnt from a communique issued by the press unit of the Congress . A report on the social reintegration of street children debated in the Chamber of Local Authorities, underscored that children driven to the streets by poverty, unemployment, family problems or abuse were at risk of exploitation and numerous human rights violations, sometimes from the very authorities charged with protecting them. The Congress stressed that the unprotected situation of street children greatly heightened their vulnerability and recommended that local authorities give the issue the priority and recognition it requires. It invited member states, to consider establishing a children's ombudsman or mediator and ensure that street children have access to health care, social services, education and professional training. A second report dealt with the challenge of building child-friendly cities. It pointed out that towns and city centers were no longer considered to be attractive places to raise children, which led families to move out of city centers, thereby increasing urban sprawl and automobile-dependency. This trend, reinforced by current demographic changes, was weakening the economic and social vitality of towns and cities. The Congress called on local and regional authorities to design the built environment from the child's perspective and to develop compact cities where housing, schools, child-care facilities, shops and businesses are in close proximity.