Transforming existing space of old communities into child-friendly spaces requires attention to the activity needs of the children in that community The Child-Friendly Cities Initiative (CFCI) was launched in 1996 by UNICEF and UN-HABITAT to make cities and communities more child-friendly. Related research on how to actualize the goals of this initiative focuses primarily on newly built community spaces and offers suggestions for the design of unbuilt areas. Lacking are guidelines for transforming older urban communities. This study aimed to construct a theoretical framework for a child-centered landscape space design strategy that would also support the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The specific focus of the study was on the old residential environment of the Crown Community in Chengdu, China. As is typical of many older urban environments, the Crown Community in Chengdu faces special challenges in meeting the needs of children. These challenges include aging public facilities and insufficient activity space.
The first step in constructing the theoretical framework consisted of a search and analysis of the related literature. This step led to the identification of five activity categories to be considered: natural experience, game activities, interactive communication, safe walking, and hiding and exploration. Field research and surveys constructed around these categories were then used to determine areas of need in the creation of child-centered landscape space in Crown Community. Results of 120 completed surveys indicated that the most urgent landscape space needs of children in that community related to Game activities (47.39%), Hiding and exploring (36.3%), Interactive communication (24.2%), Nature experience (11.9%), and Safe walking (2.2%).
To address these needs, a landscape space master plan was developed. This plan included transforming existing community space into an art garden, a book garden, and a children's playground. A visual depiction of the plan shows how these three spaces, along with recreational paths created by utilizing existing linear spaces in the community, would address the children's behavioral needs identified through the community assessment. These designs would also help achieve the sustainable development goals of the community.
This research adds to the literature by providing an effective landscape design approach for transforming old communities into child-friendly spaces. The study also adds to the literature by providing an innovative approach to integrating Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into the renovation of old communities.
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