Children identify both social and physical qualities as critical elements of child-friendly green spacesThis study examined children’s perspectives on their local environments with special attention to green spaces and their management. The intent was to identify socio-environmental qualities affecting the child-friendliness of local environments, including the role of green space management.
This study was conducted in a small village in Sweden considered to have several qualities representative of child-friendly environments, including plentiful green space. The design of the village provides safe places for walking and biking, and children living in this village have a high level of independent mobility on an everyday basis. Additionally, both adults and children living in the village enjoy a strong sense of community.
Sixteen local children (age 10-11) participated in this study. They were recruited from four different elementary classes and then, in groups of three or four, participated in child-led walks around the village. The children were first interviewed indoors and asked to point out on maps the locations of their home, their friends’ homes, places they liked and didn’t like, and the existence of barriers. They were also asked to locate places where they wanted to go during their group walk. The interview continued during the walk with the researchers asking questions about the environment and how the children used the environment. Two digital recorders taped the interviews. The children also took photographs during the walk.
Findings indicated that both the qualities of the village as a whole and of specific places within the village added to the child-friendliness of the local environment. In showing places they liked, children led the researchers to both managed spaces (including playgrounds and parks) and unmanaged places, such as abandoned gardens. The managed places were varied, multifunctional and green. The unmanaged places offered children opportunities for play, exploration and finding their own places. In general, children liked green spaces that were varied, offered opportunities for engaging all the senses, and allowed for manipulation.
These finding indicate that child-friendly environments are affected by several socio-environmental factors, including independent mobility, variation in the physical environment, rich affordances, and a sense of community. These findings also suggest that children’s perspectives can play an important role in the planning, design, and landscape management of urban environments.
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