Design guidelines for child-friendly cities, case study: firoozeh neighborhood in kerman, iran

Abstract

Recent years have seen a rapidly growing public debate about the welfare of children around the world. According to UNICEF, a Childfriendly City is a system of good local governance committed to the fullest implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. In addition, the outdoor environment is perceived as a social space which influences children’s choice of informal play activities and promotes healthy personal development. On the other hand, in everyday life in Iran, children play on streets or alleys and use almost every open spaces and spaces between buildings as their playground. While, absence of places designed for children, not only in terms of their quantity, but also their quality and neglecting basic safety rules for children are noticeable. The purpose of this study is to analyze how the structure of the built environment contributes to environmental child friendliness and proposing some guidelines toward child friendly cities. This paper draws on research and practice literature as well as the thoughts, experiences and observations of children in firoozeh neighbourhood, as it seeks to draw out the key themes and elements’ regarding a child friendly neighbourhood and how itcan be built. Children between 7-12 years old from Firoozeh neighbourhood in Kerman, were asked to explain their favourite environments and were interviewed individually afterward. The results were analyzed to achieve some guidelines in child friendly environments and explore the places with higher attraction for children.