DESIGN GUIDELINES FOR CHILDREN PLAY SPACES IN CONTEMPORARY URBAN NEIGHBOURHOODS

Abstract

Neighbourhoods, the most basic social living unit should, ideally, cater to the needs of the growing child but instead, they are taking away their most basic right- to play. Relentless urbanisation across the globe is transforming the neighbourhood dynamics of today and the most vulnerable community affected by this unceasing dilution of quality of life are the future generations, which are today’s children. Playing is an inalienable right accorded to children in the Article 31 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. Playing is important not only for the physical and mental development of the child but also for social cohesion within the neighbourhood, irrespective of caste, creed or race. Children rely heavily on built environment, especially of their neighbourhood, for opportunities of formal and informal play. This research intends to investigate and understand the inter-relationship between children and play spaces in the context of contemporary urban neighbourhoods. A thorough state-of-the art literature review was conducted to understand the play requirements of growing children; the dynamics of urban neighbourhoods and play activities of children; and policies & initiatives by the government for welfare of children. An extensive list of indicators which affect the usage of play spaces by children was identified from literature review and validated from pilot survey and interviews with stakeholders. These indicators were expanded and then clustered to highlight critical indicators affecting play activities of children in contemporary urban neighbourhoods. These indicators formed the base for questionnaire surveys, interviews and the analytical framework. Dwarka and Gurgaon were selected as study areas from NCR region and six gated communities were identified as sites for conducting the research, based on height, site area, demographics and availability of play spaces. Tools used to identify, understand and document play activities of children included place inventories, activity mapping through on-field observations, photo documentation, questionnaire surveys and personal interviews with children and parents. Sampling of respondents was conducted to include a homogenous group of parents and other caregivers in each case. Sampling of children was based on the total demographics of children in the society, their age group and gender. The results indicate that majority users perceive play spaces to be inadequate in most of the cases. However, diversity of play facilities; their age appropriateness and flexibility of use encourage children participation in play activities. Play patterns identified through on-field observations reflect the impact of location of spaces, safety and security factors, maintenance, surface finishes, etc. However, operational rules of the society were highlighted as an important determinant of play activities of children. Issues identified were clustered under v themes like design strategies, planning guidelines, policy guidelines, etc. The outcomes of the research include documentation of play activities and preferences of children residing in contemporary urban neighbourhoods, strategies for interventions in existing gated communities and guidelines for designing play spaces in contemporary urban neighbourhoods.