Urban Architecture
Masoumeh Mirsafa; zeinab Talebi; Mansoureh Kianersi
Abstract
Introduction: In recent decades the social conditions of cities have changed and imposed a dramatic impact on the freedom and independence of children in the public realm. Moreover, many parents are caught in ‘social traps’, and further limit their children’s independent movement in ...
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Introduction: In recent decades the social conditions of cities have changed and imposed a dramatic impact on the freedom and independence of children in the public realm. Moreover, many parents are caught in ‘social traps’, and further limit their children’s independent movement in their neighbouring areas. As a child's first independent outdoor experience, this paper attempts to study the shared spaces of residential complexes and identify the qualities of shared spaces that can contribute to and improve Children’s Independent Mobility (CIM) Theoretical Framework: CIM is at the heart of children’s ability to be present in the public, play in the neighbourhood without adult supervision or accompaniment, interact with others and develop their social circles. It provides various opportunities for social interaction and hangouts among children and contributes to their sense of identity. Therefore, CIM is considered as an important quality to children’s physical, social, and cognitive development. Interpersonal characteristics, sense of community and social environment as well as the quality of the built environment are among the main factors to influence CIM.Methodology: The research employs ground theory methodology to construct theory from data systematically obtained from various groups of stakeholders, including children, parents and caregivers, planning and design professionals. 107 participants including 53 children, 38 parents and caregivers, and 16 professionals were interviewed to obtain data saturation. Due to the importance of the physical qualities of the environment, direct field observations were also carried out in 15 selected residential complexes in Tehran. The qualitative data analysis was processed through MAXQDA software through which 74 concepts, 25 axial codes and 9 categories were extracted. Integration and optimization of codes and categories were performed and their relationship with the core of the research was determined.Results and Discussions: the results of data analysis show that the causal and intervening conditions of children’s independent mobility include inadequacy of legal framework, inefficiency in implementing plans as well as their monitoring and evaluation systems. Moreover, the qualities of the social environment where children live have an impact on CIM, so that the social acceptance and awareness of the community can play a role in promoting CIM. The results further reveal that improving the physical qualities of the environment including keeping children safe and secure from all possible risks and threats, planning playful spaces, facilitating access to nature and green spaces are among the strategies to improve the social atmosphere within the residential complex in favour of greater independent and free present of children in shared spaces of residential complexes. As a consequence children will enjoy higher degrees of mental and physical health. Conclusion: Social traps and lack of responsive quality control and evaluation system for child-friendly residential complexes emphasizes the necessity to develop a qualitative framework to promote opportunities for children’s independent mobility and unsupervised play in shared spaces of residential complexes while fulfilling parents’ expectations from the qualities of the built environment to permit CIM within shared spaces of the residential complex.
