Search Results (41)

Urban street spaces play a crucial role in children’s daily commuting and social activities. Therefore, the design of these spaces must give more consideration to children’s perceptual preferences. Traditional street landscape perception studies often rely on subjective analysis, which lacks objective, data-driven insights. This study overcomes this limitation by using eye-tracking technology to evaluate children’s preferences more scientifically. We collected eye-tracking data from 57 children aged 6–12 as they naturally viewed 30 images depicting school commuting environments. Data analysis revealed that the proportions of landscape elements in different street types influenced the visual perception characteristics of children in this age group. On well-maintained main and secondary roads, elements such as minibikes, people, plants, and grass attracted significant visual attention from children. In contrast, commercial streets and residential streets, characterized by greater diversity in landscape elements, elicited more frequent gazes. Children’s eye-tracking behaviors were particularly influenced by vibrant elements like walls, plants, cars, signboards, minibikes, and trade. Furthermore, due to the developmental immaturity of children’s visual systems, no significant gender differences were observed in visual perception. Understanding children’s visual landscape preferences provides a new perspective for researching the sustainable development of child-friendly cities at the community level. These findings offer valuable insights for optimizing the design of child-friendly streets. Full article

To ensure children’s safe independent mobility on the road, they need to learn basic traffic rules. In this case, traffic rule education in a realistic environment through a play-way method can be a significant learning strategy. This research focuses on the “Traffic Park (TP)”, which provides that opportunity. Specifically, this research examined how elementary school children’s knowledge of traffic rules and behavioral intentions are influenced by their experiences of using and playing in a TP before and after they start school. Children from four different elementary schools (grades 1~6) were surveyed in Toyohashi City, Japan using a web-based questionnaire survey. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was applied to analyze the effect of TP use experience on children’s awareness of traffic rules and behavioral intentions. Three distinct SEM models were tested to measure the effect pattern of children’s TP use experience on their traffic rule awareness and behavioral intentions. The results show that TP use experience before entering school has a statistically significant effect on children’s traffic rule awareness (β = 0.16, p < 0.004; model 1) and behavioral intention improvement (β = 0.09, p < 0.07; model 2). However, TP use experience after entering school was found to have no significant effect. Finally, children’s TP use experience indirectly improves their behavioral intentions (β = 0.74, p < 0.001; model 3) by improving their awareness of traffic rules. Overall, the findings of this study highlight the contribution of TPs in promoting children’s safe independent mobility and fostering the development of sustainable child-friendly cities worldwide. Full article

Children are the future of society, and their well-being is vital for sustainable urban development. Chengdu, as the birthplace of the “Park City” concept, has actively integrated child-friendly principles into its urban model. In 2022, the “Implementation Plan for Building a Child-Friendly City in Chengdu” was launched, aiming to establish Chengdu as a leading national model. Since 2023, the city has leveraged its ecological strengths to promote “child-friendly happiness spaces”, providing children with ample recreational and developmental opportunities within its “Park City” framework. Analyzing urban park construction in Chengdu from a child-friendly perspective is significant not only for promoting children’s growth and urban development but also for providing valuable references for the development of child-friendly urban parks. Guided by the concept of “Tour–Art–Learning”, which focuses on creating outdoor recreational spaces suitable for children, this study establishes a quality assessment framework for urban parks from a child-friendly perspective. Based on survey data collected from Chengdu’s Shaheyuan Park using the Photo Elicitation Interview (PEI) method and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology, the analytic hierarchy process–fuzzy comprehensive assessment (AHP-FCE) model is applied to evaluate the park’s Tour–Art–Learning quality. The results show that while the park demonstrates high overall quality, there are deficiencies in cultural aesthetics and learning activity carrying capacity and significant room for improvement in site accessibility. This study systematically evaluates the child friendliness of Shaheyuan Park and proposes strategies for improving its Tour–Art–Learning quality, offering new theoretical perspectives and practical pathways for urban park construction and the development of child-friendly cities. Full article

Increasing attention is being directed toward understanding the impact of urban built environments on children’s health. The concept of the 15-minute city, or “15-minute life circle”, in China is significant; however, the needs of the pediatric population are often overlooked. Walkability and accessibility to urban service facilities are crucial for promoting children’s well-being. This paper focuses on the old city of Guilin in western China as a case study. It investigates the service facilities within a 15-minute life circle that affect children’s physical health, mental health, and social engagement. Utilizing the Walking Index method, this study assesses the walkability and rationality of these facilities in 621 neighborhoods. Data were gathered from 200 questionnaires and interviews with children, concentrating on their daily use of these facilities, supplemented by a multi-source analysis. The findings reveal that the Walking Index in the study area is generally low, with an uneven distribution, primarily influenced by road network density, block size, and urban landscape patterns. This study proposes the development of a “Children’s Healthy 15-minute Life Circle”, which would increase child-friendly service facilities, pedestrian infrastructure, and urban road network density. It also advocates for constructing service facilities that enhance children’s health and the optimization of the spatial arrangement of these facilities. Furthermore, it suggests the effective utilization of urban landscapes to create a diverse system of leisure spaces for children. This study offers valuable insights for enhancing the walkability of urban life circle service facilities and establishing a child-friendly city. Full article

The construction of child-friendly cities has become a global issue, and the diverse needs of children during their growth has attracted widespread attention. This study uses CiteSpace 6.4.1 to perform a visual analysis of 966 papers published from 2004 to 2024 in the SSCI, SCI, ESCI, and A&HCI citation indexes of the Web of Science database. First, the study analyzes the publication trends over the past two decades in the context of different citation indexes and research fields. Then, we identify influential journals, institutions, countries, author institutions, and funding agencies within this domain. Additionally, this study uses the visualized results to outline the core keywords and research themes in child-friendly city research, clarifying the development trajectory of the field and identifying future research priorities and hotspots. The results derived from CiteSpace and bibliometric analysis will assist future researchers and practitioners in a better understanding of the comprehensive framework of child-friendly city research, thereby advancing the progress of child-friendly city construction under the broader context of sustainable urban development. Full article

The vitality of a city is shaped by its social structure, environmental quality, and spatial form, with child-friendliness being an essential component of urban vitality. While there are numerous qualitative studies on the relationship between child-friendliness and various indicators of urban vitality, quantitative research remains relatively scarce, leading to a lack of sufficient objective and trustworthy data to guide urban planning and the development of child-friendly cities. This paper presents an analytical framework, using Heping District in Tianjin, China, as a case study. It defines four main indicators—social vitality, environmental vitality, spatial vitality, and urban scene perception—for a trustworthy and transparent quantitative evaluation. The study integrates multi-source data, including primary education (POI) data, street view image (SVI) data, spatiotemporal big data, normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), and large visual language models (LVLMs) for the trustworthy analysis. These data are visualized using corresponding big data and weighted analysis methods, ensuring transparent and accurate assessments of the child-friendliness of urban blocks. This research introduces an innovative and trustworthy method for evaluating the child-friendliness of urban blocks, addressing gaps in the quantitative theory of child-friendliness in urban planning. It also provides a practical and reliable tool for urban planners, offering a solid theoretical foundation to create environments that better meet the needs of children in a trustworthy manner. Full article

As countries develop, the challenge of providing access to the outdoors and nature increases. Consequently, recent environmental justice research has focused on measuring children’s access to parks. The results of these analyses better reflect differences in accessibility, but there are discrepancies between different accessibility models. This study aims to explore child-friendly accessibility measures and proposes a supply–demand-improved two-step floating catchment area (2SFCA) method for estimating urban park accessibility based on children’s needs. The application of this improved 2SFCA method in Changsha City successfully identified areas with unequal park accessibility, offering valuable insights for urban planners, that can be used to promote equitable access to green spaces for all residents, especially children. The results demonstrate that park accessibility in Changsha City exhibits significant differences across various areas, with the lowest accessibility in the western part of Furong District, the northwestern part of Yuhua District, and the southern part of Tianxin District; while the highest accessibility is found in Yuelu District. The limited green space in the central business district of Changsha City, coupled with high population density, indicates a tension between green space planning and population density in the city’s central area. The study proposes that the primary challenge in current green space planning in Changsha is the rational allocation of green spaces to meet the needs of high-density populations within limited urban space. It provides a comprehensive and realistic perspective for understanding the accessibility and availability of green spaces for children, which can help urban planners develop effective policies to support children’s outdoor mobility, while considering equity. Full article

Public spaces are essential for the implementation of child-friendly principles and the development of child-friendly cities, with positive and healthy environments playing a crucial role in supporting children’s well-being and development. However, existing research on child-friendly public spaces predominantly targets economically developed urban areas with robust public service infrastructure, often neglecting rural areas with less advanced facilities. This study utilizes grounded theory and qualitative analysis to propose a child-friendly public space evaluation framework specifically for rural settings. The framework includes four primary indicators—safety, accessibility, comfort, and multifunctionality—and 19 secondary indicators, such as facility safety and plant safety. An empirical investigation was conducted in Baishoupu Town, a child-friendly pilot area within Changsha, China, which is designated as a United Nations Child-Friendly City, and the study encompassed an analysis of 11 rural villages within this area. The findings reveal that while Baishoupu Town demonstrates a relatively high level of child-friendly development, there is significant disparity among individual villages. Key determinants affecting the child-friendliness of rural public spaces include the type of rural industry, per capita income levels, and the degree of policy support. Specifically, the advancement of public service infrastructure and the tourism sector significantly influence the primary indicators. Moreover, while rural road infrastructure is positively correlated with accessibility, the presence of through traffic adversely affects safety indicators. Based on these insights, this study recommends enhancing child-friendliness in rural public spaces through strategic village planning, spatial design improvements, and ensuring child participation. This research provides valuable insights for government policy development and implementation and offers a replicable framework for child-friendly public space development in rural areas globally. Full article

Background: Breastfeeding is the gold standard in infant nutrition. Successful breastfeeding depends on many factors, including the help of medical personnel in teaching breastfeeding, the need for professional work, and breastfeeding-friendly places in public spaces. The main goal was to identify various barriers among mothers to breastfeeding. Methods: This study used a quantitative descriptive research design. We recruited 419 mothers aged at least 18 years old through social media. Results were analysed using Pearson’s chi-squared and Fisher’s tests of independence for pairs of dependent and independent variables. Results: Most often, women gave birth at the age of 25–30, had one or two children, and attended higher education. Almost half of them lived in a large city and gave birth to a child by caesarean section. A total of 83.1% of mothers planned to breastfeed, but not all of them were able to do so for various reasons. One-third of them felt sorry for themselves that they had to change their feeding method. The majority of mothers did not receive sufficient help in the hospital in terms of learning how to breastfeed (61%), did not use the help of a lactation consultant (67%), and answered that there was no lactation consultant in their place of residence (65%). Only 43.2% of mothers returned to work without ceasing breastfeeding. A total of 42% of mothers experienced feelings of embarrassment when breastfeeding in a public place. The most frequently indicated barrier to breastfeeding in a public place was the lack of a suitable location where a woman would feel comfortable, calm, and intimate. Conclusion: There are various barriers towards breastfeeding: too few lactation consultants, problems with breastfeeding when the mother wants to return to work, and unfriendly places for breastfeeding in public spaces. Efforts must be made to support mothers in breastfeeding. Full article

With the advancement of child-friendly urban planning initiatives, the significance of Active School Travel Spaces (ASTSs) in shaping urban development and promoting the physical and mental well-being of children has become increasingly apparent. This research focuses on 151 public primary schools in the central urban area of Lanzhou City. Utilizing the Amap pedestrian route planning API, we establish a walking route network, evaluate the paths using spatial syntax and street view recognition methods, and analyze their influencing factors using a Geographic Detector model. The results show the following: ① The overall friendliness of ASTSs in Lanzhou City is moderate, with 44% of school districts exhibiting low friendliness. ② The distribution of child friendliness in ASTS exhibits a “core-periphery” pattern. Anning District demonstrates higher friendliness compared to Chengguan District and Qilihe District, while Xigu District exhibits the lowest level of friendliness. ③ Different levels of friendliness have different tendencies for access, safety, and comfort. A high degree of friendliness favors comfort. Low friendliness has the lowest requirements for safety and comfort. ④ Population density and transportation convenience exert a significant positive impact on friendliness, while the size of the school district and the centrality of schools have a negative impact. The synergistic effects among these influencing factors notably enhance the explanatory power of friendliness. Full article

The COVID-19 pandemic has reshaped our daily lives and the way we interact with urban green–blue spaces (UGBS), particularly in the economically challenged regions of Northwest China. Our study, utilizing surveys and social media, delves into the pandemic’s impact on UGBS engagement in this area, offering critical insights for urban planning amidst a global health crisis. We found a gender-balanced but preference-specific engagement in UGBS, with women and married couples in the Chengguan District of Lanzhou city showing affinity. Moreover, educational levels and proximity to academic institutions emerged as key factors influencing UGBS use, pointing to the importance of educational attainment in engagement diversity. Enhancing safety, creating child-friendly and leisure facilities for families, and designing vibrant spaces for socializing are vital, and placing UGBS near educational districts could also promote environmental awareness and scientific learning. Furthermore, the pandemic has reshaped public priorities, elevating the value of accessible, safe UGBS. This shift is evidenced by varied motivations for UGBS visits, with an emphasis on health, nature connectivity, and leisure. Women, older adults, and families, each with their distinct reasons, were drawn to UGBS for activities ranging from recreation to relaxation. Our findings advocate for the creation of multifunctional UGBS that cater to these varied interests, incorporating features such as air-purifying plants, scenic pathways, and zones for family activities, all underpinned by enhanced safety and accessibility. The study also highlights distinct transportation preferences among residents of Chengguan’s northern and southern parts, suggesting a tailored approach to urban infrastructure that accommodates pedestrian access and public transit use. To prevent overcrowding, adjusting facility hours and event timings based on peak visitation times is recommended. Moreover, improving walkways and public transport connectivity is essential not just for convenience but also for ensuring that these green spaces are equitable and financially accessible, fostering inclusive access to these essential urban areas. During the pandemic, social media revealed a growing search for spiritual fulfillment within UGBS, highlighting their importance in societal well-being and coping mechanisms. In response, there’s a compelling opportunity for UGBS to evolve by incorporating designated areas for spiritual relaxation, along with mental health support services. By actively monitoring social media feedback and trends, these spaces can adapt and refine their offerings, ensuring that they meet the community’s changing needs more effectively. Our study highlights the importance of tailoring UGBS to meet diverse community needs, especially during crises. It emphasizes creating multifunctional, accessible UGBS that reflect demographic trends, transportation habits, and public preferences, aiming to boost community resilience and well-being. Drawing from research conducted amidst a worldwide crisis, our study provides key recommendations for the future evolution of UGBS, urging the creation of inclusive environments that bolster the health and well-being of urban populations. Full article

The safety, inclusivity, accessibility, and green communities emphasized in the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) play a vital role in the establishment of child-friendly cities. The governments are actively promoting the development of sustainable, child-friendly cities that prioritize people’s needs and aim to enhance the well-being of residents, from children to families. However, there is limited research utilizing GIS analysis techniques and internet big data to analyze spatial equity in children’s spatial accessibility. Therefore, this study introduces an innovative approach focusing on the community level. Drawing on data from the popular social networking platform mobile application “Xiaohongshu” and employing network analysis methods based on walking and driving modes, this study analyzed and investigated the accessibility of children’s spaces in the city of Hangzhou, China. Regarding spatial characteristics, the distribution of children’s space resources in the main urban area of Hangzhou exhibited a “peripheral low and central high” trend, which was closely linked to the distribution of population space. This pattern indicates potential significant disparities in the allocation of children’s space resources. Notably, the core area of Hangzhou demonstrated the highest level of accessibility to children’s spaces, with Gongshu District exhibiting the best accessibility. Conversely, non-core urban areas generally had relatively poor accessibility. Furthermore, different types of children’s spaces, such as indoor cultural spaces, indoor entertainment spaces, outdoor parks, and outdoor nature areas, all exhibited the highest accessibility in the city center, which gradually decreased towards the periphery. Additionally, this study evaluated the convenience of children’s spaces in various communities by combining population size and accessibility levels. The findings revealed that communities in the core area had higher accessibility levels in the northwest–southeast direction, while accessibility decreased towards the northeast–southwest direction. Consequently, the relative convenience of these communities tended to be lower. By examining spatial equity, this study provides valuable insights into the promotion of sustainable, child-friendly cities that prioritize people’s needs and contribute to the well-being of residents, from children to families. Full article

Designing child-friendly cities is very important for sustainable human development. Child-friendly cities encourage children to grow up in a healthy, safe, and supportive environment. The concept of the “Child-Friendly City” emerged in 1996 at the United Nations Habitat II Conference in Istanbul. This movement promoted supporting children’s development, assuring compliance with their basic rights, and pursuing their subjective well-being through the qualities of the environments of cities. Developing measurement tools to determine the effects of the qualities of the city and its environment on children and what is expected from “Child-Friendly Cities” is crucial. The first aim of this study was to utilize exploratory factor analysis (EFA) to develop the Child-Friendly City Scale-Child Form and provisionally examine its factor structure during this process. The second aim was to examine the factor structure of the developed scale through confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Participants were 527 middle school students who were divided into two groups for CFA and DFA, 204 in the first group and 323 in the second group. The results of both EFA and CFA supported the developed scale, which has eight dimensions. The Child-Friendly City Scale-Child Form was found to be valid and reliable through various tests. This study contributes to the literature by providing an empirically tested 8-dimension tool to measure children’s perceptions of the child-friendliness of their cities. Full article

This study performs a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of research on child-friendly cities (CFC) conducted from 2000 to 2022. It investigates the global and domestic research trends using two prominent databases, Web of Science (WOS) and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI). The study reveals increasing global and domestic research publications on CFC, demonstrating an expanding interest in the area. The contributions of this study are threefold. First, it describes the status of the CFC in two databases based on quantitative analysis and an intuitive visualization, identifying patterns, hotspots, trends, and gaps. Second, by comparing the two databases, we have the following four findings: (1) the advancement of CFC construction and research focus is linked to economic development; (2) collaborative efforts involving multiple parties are crucial for policy implementation and engaging children in decision making; (3) the two databases demonstrate differing research emphases on the environment; (4) it is essential to broaden the channels for child participation. Finally, we propose the PAF dynamic conceptual model call for the sustainable development of CFCs. Full article

Despite the demographic aging of Latin America, the uptake of the WHO’s Age-Friendly Cities Framework remains extremely low, with the notable exceptions of Chile, Mexico and Brazil. We argue for a broader human ecological framework, which focuses on the macro, meso and micro levels, to better address the context, challenges and opportunities for age-friendly cities in the Latin American region. The WHO’s age-friendly city domains are primarily at the meso (community) scale, with a focus on built environment, services and participation. We call for more attention to be paid to the macro policy scale to address concerns regarding migration, demography and social policy context. More attention also should be given to the micro scale to recognize the critical role of family and informal care supports. It is possible that the WHO domains are the result of a design bias, with Global North settings in mind for their development. We find the domains of UNICEF’s Child-Friendly Cities Initiative, which give more attention to the realities of the Global South, helpful to broaden the WHO’s Age-Friendly Cities Framework. Full article