CHILDREN'S INDEPENDENT MOBILITY A child-oriented perspective on walking, playing and socialising in

DISCUSSION AND REFLECTIONS The neighbourhood is at the heart of children’s urban life in Aguablanca district. High residential density, proximity to child-friendly destinations, public local schools, household socioeconomics and responsibilities, as well as low private vehicle ownership, meant children’s routine journeys were primarily local, on foot and independently. While walking, children attended school, visited friends, the park and the sports courts, mostly by themselves (35.3%), with friends (16.8%) and siblings (9.2%). These trips were largely joyful, helping them experience and explore their freedom and regarded as a social activity enjoyed with friends, despite being the only alternative for some. While children’s perceptions and experiences were positive, most involved attending school (63.2%) presenting few opportunities for play and exploration due to time constrains, as a majority were under 5 min (35.1%). In this sense, the apparent independence was marked by restrictions on social and playful urban life. Four aspects may explain these circumstances: (i) Actual independent mobility, children’s perceived licence and parental licence differed from one another. The former was reported by 61.3% of children who travelled to school by themselves, with friends or younger siblings. Children’s perceived licence when going to and from school (58.3%) was similar to actual independence, as opposed to 46.8% of caretakers who seemingly allow children to walk to school on their own.

Why are they different? A vast majority of parents and guardians both agree walking is children’s only choice and state they like to accompany them to school. This might indicate that if they had a choice, caretakers would escort children to their numerous destinations, given their concerns on traffic and personal safety. Furthermore, household’s low and fluctuating monthly income levels, employment, number of 40