Document Type : Research Paper
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Abstract
Today, with increasing development of small towns and large urban areas lacking desirable urban spaces, compatibility of urban areas with the needs of residents is the focus of experts. Metropolitan areas have a unique role in fulfilling the personal and social needs of children and adolescents. These spaces account for a great deal of time and daily life residents, including children and adolescents and from a human sciences engineering viewpoint the enhancement of these spaces can be effective in improving the quality of health and physical strength, strengthening social interaction and group cohesion, and fostering creativity in children and adolescents. Ideally, neighborhoods and communities must have social spaces in order to easily express social and cultural principles and their exchanges for children. Usually, in urban planning, despite the human, social, economic and natural justifications for the city and its future, not much attaention is paid to factors affecting population structures, one of which is children. Studies have shown that Qazvin is taking the first steps toward the “child-friendly city”. However, taking into account the historical, cultural and natural features of Qazvin, more efforts need to be made to achieve this important aim. Analysis of children’s opinions in order to fulfill their needs and desires has encouraged effective organizations, especially the Municipality of Qazvin, to adopt strategies and take further action. The research method used in this paper is based on cross-sectional and library studies, documents and field surveys, and has an applied aspect. This paper answers the questions of what the ideal city is from a child’s perspective and how the urban environment can instil a strong sense of belonging in a child using participatory methods such as questionnaires, drawings, essays and interviews of 130 children regarding the city, urban spaces and their activities were collected. Firstly, comprehensive information concerning places of interest and places where children had less interest was collected. Results showed that children are more interested in the "home" (25/4%) and "play ground" (18%) than any other urban spaces. In addition, children viewed the "street" as having an unpleasant atmosphere. Secondly, favorite activities of children were studied. This study showed that "physical activity" (18 percent) and "playing with others" (13%) were activities that children paid most attention to. Thirdly, the features of the ideal city from a child’s perspective were looked at. Children’s paintings showed that "nature" (20/86%) and "spaces for children, such as children's cinema and children’s play time" (13/91%), were spaces that children referred to in their ideal city. In conclusion, some recommendations are made for realizing the ideal city from the child’s perspective.
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