Tang, P. orcid.org/0000-0002-6659-4601 and Woolley, H. orcid.org/0000-0002-6238-4068 (2023) Optimizing urban children’s outdoor play spaces: affordances, supervision, and design dynamics. Sustainability, 15 (20). 14661. ISSN 2071-1050
Abstract
This research explores how outdoor spaces play a crucial role in providing urban children with opportunities for physical activity and relaxation, together with the supervision of the children’s outdoor activities, particularly in densely populated areas with limited open spaces. Effective design of such spaces is vital for creating functional recreational areas within urban landscapes. Drawing from ecological perceptual psychology’s theory of affordance, this research examines the positive attributes of environmental affordances, specifically in Beijing’s central area. Using a children’s park as a case study, systematic observations are conducted to understand the park’s potential for diverse play opportunities and facilitating social interactions across age groups. However, the results reveal that the children’s park falls short of realizing its affordances fully, restricting available play opportunities. Specific play activities require distinct spatial arrangements influenced by children’s ages. Maternal supervision significantly affects children’s play experiences. The study also highlights grandparent involvement in overseeing children’s outdoor play, revealing differing supervision styles. In conclusion, while fixed play equipment and rubber carpet ground enhance engagement and safety, realizing the complete potential of children’s outdoor play spaces demands more inclusive design. The research underscores the intricate interplay between environmental affordances, adult supervision patterns, and children’s play experiences, paving the way for further exploration of these dynamic relationships, and contribute to build environmentally and socially sustainable urban environments.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2023 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). |
Keywords: | affordance; children’s park; physical activities; age; care givers |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Sheffield |
Academic Units: | The University of Sheffield > Faculty of Social Sciences (Sheffield) > Department of Landscape Architecture (Sheffield) |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Sheffield |
Date Deposited: | 13 Nov 2023 16:17 |
Last Modified: | 13 Nov 2023 16:17 |
Published Version: | http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/su152014661 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | MDPI AG |
Refereed: | Yes |
Identification Number: | 10.3390/su152014661 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:205233 |