Sarah Abusido Final by siabusido

Designing For A Child-Friendly Neighborhoods For The City Of Jeddah: Evaluating Al-Safa Neighbohood According MASTER OF ARCHITECTURE

to Urban Design Standards and Guidelines

By: Sarah Abusido Supervisor: Dr. Mostafa Sabbagh

April 2020

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Master of Architecture Program Dar Al-Hekma University ARCH 6601 : Project in Satisfaction of the Master's Degree Course Supervisor : Dr. Mostafa Sabbagh Assistant Professor, Architecture Department Hekma School of Design and Architecture The course is a research and design-based graduate studio. Where the work shall focus on individual self-initiated investigation of buildings, architectural, and/or housing issues. The course shall challenge the students in the development and presentation of an innovative design solution to a selected challenge that explored in the graduate thesis. The course emphasizes the significance of integrating all the theoretical and practical knowledge accrued throughout the course of study in the program into a well-synthesized and comprehensive design project.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d like to sincerely thank almighty Allah for all his grants that he bestowed on me.

Foremost, I must express my very profound gratitude to my husband Ali AL-Hertani for providing me with unfailing support and continuous encouragement throughout my two years of study and through the process of researching and writing this thesis. This accomplishment would not have been possible without him. Thank you.

. Second, I would like to thank my dear friend Iman Islam for all the love, comfort, and guidance she has given me during my years in graduate study.

Lastly, I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to my supervisor Dr. Mostafa Sabbagh for his incredible guidance through this course.

I would also like to acknowledge my beloved mother who passed away before the completion of my education and for my dear father who I am wishing to get well soon. I know they would be proud, and I will forever be grateful for the knowledge and values they instilled in me. I am missing you so much!

I could not have done any of this without you. Thank you all. Sarah

TABLE OF CONTENT

I NT R O D UC T I O N

D E S I G N C O NC E PT

–

PROJECT OVERVIEW

–

THESIS RESEARCH OBJECTIVE

–

CHILDREN NEEDS

–

NEIGHBORHOOD QUALITY DEFINITION

–

THESIS RESEARCH FINDINGS

–

PARTICIPANTS RECOMMENDATION ANALYSIS

–

THESIS RESEARCH RECOMMENDATIONS

–

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR JEDDAH CITY NEIGHBORHOODS

–

ENHANCING NEIGHBORHOOD QUALITY GUIDELINE

–

PROJECT SCOPE

– –

–

CONCEPT STATMENT

C A S E ST U D I E S –

DIVERSIFYING TRANSPORTATION METHODS

–

PROVIDING SAFE PEDESTRIAN MOVEMENT

–

PROPORTIONING STREETS TO BUILDINGS

–

RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITY

–

CHILD-FRIENDLY TRAVEL ROUTES

DESIGN PROBLEM

–

RAISED GARDENS AND PLAYGROUNDS

NEIGHBORHOOD QUALITY IMPLEMENTATION

DES IGN S OL UT ION

S I T E A N A LYS I S –

THE FOCUS GROUPS

–

EXISTING STREETS PLANS

–

AL-SAFA NEIGHBORHOOD GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION

–

PROPOSED STREETS PLANS

–

DISTRICT BORDERS

–

RESIDENTIAL STREET # 1

–

DEMOGRAPHICS

–

RESIDENTIAL STREET # 2

–

SITE ANALYSIS

–

MAIN STREET

–

TRAFFIC

–

EXISTING PARK

–

LANDMARKS

–

EXISTING SPACE

–

SWOT ANALYSIS

–

EXISTING COMMUNITY CENTER PUBLIC AREA

–

EXISTING RESIDENTIAL STREET # 1

–

EXISTING RESIDENTIAL STREET # 2

–

EXISTING RESIDENTIAL STREET # 3

–

EXISTING MAIN STREET

–

REFERENCES

EXISTING CONDITION –

CURRENT PEDESTRIAN STATUS AND PEDESTRIAN ACCESSIBILITY

–

EXISTING STREET TO BUILDING PROPORTIONDISTRICT BORDERS

–

EXISTING BUILDING STYLES

–

EXISTING PARK AND PLAYGROUND

–

EXISTING CENTERAL PARK AND PLOT

–

EXISTING STREETS

–

EXISTING LIGHTING AT NIGHT

I NT R O D UCT I O N

P R O J E C T OV E R V I E W Jeddah has developed exponentially during the last decades. This has resulted in the transformation of its traditional, compact urban form human scale, into a car-oriented city of modern thoroughfares and freeways. The high dependency on the automobile has been at the cost of neglecting other modes of travel, particularly walking. Modern land subdivisions lack pedestrian routes, hence discourage walking and community life, especially for children. Neighborhoods and cities in Saudi Arabia are largely designed for adults but not friendly for children. They should, however, be designed in a 'children first' approach so it can consider the needs of the children. Jeddah has been one city that has not considered the needs of the children while designing neighborhoods. This has resulted in the loss of childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s urban spaces and exposed them to high rates of traffic accidents. This booklet evaluates one of the neighborhoods services provisions in Jeddah to determine the possibility of developing a child-friendly environment.

THESIS RESEARCH OBJECTIVE The research objective was to investigate the problem of a child-friendly neighborhood in the city of Jeddahâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s residential neighborhoods. To achieve this goal the study focused on: - Discovering the residentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; present state of various children and the way they interact with the open-air physical environment in Jeddah. - Investigating the residents to identify the design and planning constraints that exist in Jeddah neighborhoods. - Rethinking the physical environment and proposing the guidelines that can be followed in the newly developed neighborhoods in Jeddah.

CHILDREN NEEDS

NEIGHBORHOOD QUALITY DEFINITION The neighborhood quality can be defined as the value of the economy, physical environment and social status of the community and its people. It is defined by things such as the security, health, sustainably dynamics and self-sustaining aspects, and the general infrastructure of the neighborhood. (UNICEF, 2019)

THESIS RESEARCH FINDINGS ◊ The problems affecting to public spaces in Jeddah city is caused by the lack of urban design. ◊ The lack of planning and design , results in insufficient supply of land for streets, public open spaces and public facilities. ◊ Limited accessibility, high traffic, the low maintenance of sidewalk and many other difficulties which are limiting the free walkability. ◊ To achieve improved health of status for children, neighborhoods, and urban areas, Jeddah city must be designed and planned expertly to promote children’s independent mobility.

PA RT I C I PA NT S R E C O M M E N D AT I O N A N A LYS I S Emergent themes from both survey and focus groups. Responses varied widely in each category, so this section is intended to explain the range of attitudes and approaches of people’s opinions.

Encouraging child participation in all over the city ◊ Create a child-friendly strategy in Jeddah ◊ Consider child, nature and community connections ◊ Establish a set of steps the city will take to address children’s rights. ◊ Promote conservation for the created places

◊ Provide frequent and safe crossings to children’s amenities such as parks and schools. ◊ Increase walkways and industrial bumps to reduce the speed of cars

◊ Improve access to open spaces and facilities

◊ inside the neighborhood

◊ Improve the integration of the children with their neighborhood.

◊ Creating bike paths next to a lot of trees so that people can walk in

◊ Identify areas where there is not enough recreation space relative to population

hot climates. ◊ Place small and many gardens within the neighborhood so that

◊ Places and resources for both boys and girls

children can play with adding a path for walking in the garden and

◊ Public space

a playground

◊ More squares, parks and nature areas ◊ More places to meet and socialize ◊ Don’t separate space for children from the life of their community

Children’s safety

PA RT I C I PA NT S R E C O M M E N D AT I O N A N A LYS I S Facilities and Infrastructure

A place where communities can be created

◊

Install adequate street lighting and prune trees that obscure lights

◊

Repairs of sewers and drains on the street

pattern with commercial uses at the ground serving the essential daily needs

◊

Get rid of bad smelling garbage

of the residents. It may

◊

Cover the open drains

◊

Priorities places where children play for clearing litter and waste

◊

Repair faulty traffic signals rapidly.

◊

Install speed bumps, and reduce speed limits

◊

Create cycle tracks

◊

Make sidewalks wider

◊

Maintain playgrounds and park constantly

The neighborhood should be designed in a more compact mixed-use

include amenities such as a nursery, a grocery, a bakery, a hairdress-

er, a stationary, a café or restaurant, a small clinic with a pharmacy inside, a library and any other needed service. ◊

The design of the neighborhood should be a collaborative process

where people can ◊

participate in it and reflect their own social and cultural identities.

◊

It should also entail various placemaking approaches that would

result in a more lively and sustainable community.

Sidewalk Facilities

Crossing Facilities

◊

Seats and benches for pedestrians to stop and rest, particularly

◊

for

older people and young children, is another

pedestrians from the danger of conflicting with vehicles.

◊

factor that adds to the comfort of pedestrians.

◊

Shelters from rain or sun: pedestrians need places to shelter from

intersections, mid-block crossings, bridges, underpasses, etc.

Crossing availability: crossing facilities are needed to protect the

Providing safe crossing facilities along a street can be in the form of

the severe weather conditions, such as intense sun and heavy rain.

◊

mobility devices and for blind and low-vision users to have a convenient

Street lighting to be provided along the street greatly increases

the comfort and safety of pedestrians and makes pedestrians visible for

Ramp availability: ramps are necessary for pedestrians who use

transition between the sidewalk and the street.

drivers, reducing the chance of being involved in a crash.

T H E S I S R E S E A R C H R E C O M M E N D AT I O N S

From the conclusion of the study, most of the neighborhood settings within the districts in Jeddah city have poor child-friendly aspects. This hence for

calls for control measure and readjustment steps on the design and planning of the neighborhood settings. These settings should, therefore, enhance the childhood quality by securing their environment to support safe and healthy physical activities together with ease in mobility to various facilities. One of the recommendations by this study is the eradication of unplanned settlements within Jeddah city. Unplanned settlements constitute residential settings that do not account for the safe and healthy living of the residents together with the conservation of the environment. Design and planning aspects such as drainage and walkways are usually ignored in the settings which contribute to the health and safety risk of the children in Jeddah city. In order to promote a child-friendly neighborhood, proper settlement design and planning should be adapted to ensure that children are brought up in a secure and favorable environment.

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR JEDDAH CITY NEIGHBORHOODS

E N H A NC I N G NEIGHBORHOOD Q U A L I T Y G U I D E L I N E

1: According to literature review 2: According to participants recommendation

P R O J E C T SC O P E

The aim of this project is to create an environment for children which can improve their independence, and the travel modes to various

places in their neighborhoods. It will provide a clear guidance on how a child-friendly neighborhood should be developed and it details the design principles for it to create a better community for future generations in Jeddah.

DESIGN PROBLEM

This project studies how the designs of one of Jeddahâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s neighborhoods have impacts on the activities that children involve themselves

in and their free mobility. It focuses on the leisure activities of the children, their independence, and the travel modes to various places in their neighborhoods. This project aims to evaluate how an environment can support the independent mobility of children and their everyday participa-

tion in different activities which are becoming minimal every day.

N E I G H B O R H O O D Q U A L I T Y I M P L E M E NTAT I O N

Creating neighborhoodsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; quality or improving an existing residential community begins with looking at the many components and layers

that create a neighborhood and understanding how these pieces are integrated and assembled

S I T E AN A LYS IS

THE FOCUS GROUPS Previously, together with the community center coordinators, I facilitated focus group discussions in four community centers context including: ◊ Al-Nahda ◊ Al-Safa ◊ Al-Naseem ◊ Al-mohamdyiah According to the Workshop availability.

Figure 1: Location of the neighborhoods’ community center in Jeddah city map

A L - S A FA N E I G H B O R H O O D G E O G R A P H I C A L L O C AT I O N

General information on Al-Safa District Located on the middle side of Jeddah Considered recently developed Divided into eight smaller neighborhoods Most residents are families Med and High-med income Medium to high-rise buildings Mixed use buildings

Reasons to Select Al-Safa District One of the focus group districts It is a typical district High density area Children number are high in the district Active area Services are available, yet are not complete Close proximity to shopping and restaurants Olde neighborhood yet it has a newer development Tight-knit community Spaces need to be developed A neighborhood with a good potential

Figure 2: Location of AL-Safa neighborhoodsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; in Jeddah city map

D I ST R I C T B O R D E R S

o oNorth North:

North: SheikhAbdulaziz Abdulaziz bin Baz bin Street Baz Street Sheikh

oSouth South: o

South: Prince Abdulaziz Street (Tahlia Street) (Tahlia Prince Abdulaziz Street

o oEastEast:

East: Highway Road (Al-Haramain Road) Highway Road (Al-Haramain Roa

o oWestWest:

Figure 3: Al-Safa District Borders

West:

Prince Majed Road (70 Road)

DEMOGRAPHICS Total Population: 203,033 people

Saudi - 63 %

Non-Saudi - 37 %

12,7769 People

75,264 People

Nationalities and Children Number

Female : 46.2% 93667 People Male: 53.8 % 109366 People

Total Children: 3,200 Children

Based on interview

Retrieved from Ektfaa Center data collection: between 1/1/1438 to 25/1/1438

Family Typologies

Based on interview

Utilities

Water Supply:

96% General Supply

Electricity Supply:

4% Water truck

100% Covered

S I T E A N A LYS I S

Figure 4: Land Use & Services for Al-Safa District

Figure 5: Selected Site Structures and Open Space

Figure 6: Land Use & Services for The Selected Site

Key Legend

Figure 7: Roads and Pedestrian Travel for The Selected Site

TRAFFIC 8:00 AM- 12:00 PM

7:00 - 8:00 AM

Key Legend High Traffic Moderate Traffic Low Traffic

2:00 - 6:00 PM

12:00 - 2:00 PM

Figure 8: Traffic Flow for The Selected Site from 7:00 AM To 12:00 PM

11:00 PM - 1:00 AM

6:00 - 10:00 PM

Figure 9: Traffic Flow for The Selected Site from 12:00 PM To 6:00 PM

Figure 8: Traffic Flow for The Selected Site from 6:00 PM To 1:00 AM

Retrieved from: Google Map Application

L ANDMARKS

Figure 9: Landmarks and Site Surroundings for the Selected Site

SWOT A N A LYS I S

ST R E N GT H

WEAKNESS

OPPORTUNITIES

T H R E AT S

EX I ST I N G CO N D I T I O N

E VA L U AT I N G E X I ST I N G C O N D I T I O N Current Pedestrian Status and Pedestrian Accessibility

No pedestrian walkways are provided in most of the neighborhood, and if there are any, their condition 2

is inadequate for comfortable use. However, there are sidewalks with a width of 120 cm are customized to protect the walls of houses and to

place plants, columns, lighting, and trees.

Figure 10: Evaluation of The Pedestrian Accessibility for the Selected Site

A sidewalk with a width of 120 cm is customized to protect the walls of the villa and to place plants 2

A damaged sidewalk with broken pavements on sidewalk and paving slabs with defects and cracks 4

No sidewalk

A sidewalk is made to protect the walls of the house and to place plants and light

A damaged sidewalk with broken pavements on sidewalk and paving slabs with defects and cracks. Trees are totally covering the sidewalk

Figure 11: Current Pedestrian Status and Pedestrian Accessibility

Existing Street to Building Proportion ◊

The building to street proportion affects the

shading quality and overall perception of the space. ◊

Most of the streets are wide with low buildings so

the streets are not shaded. ◊ 1/3

and tress which can reduce the sun glare while walking

1/2

on the street. Low Buildings with Wide Streets Ratio: 1-2

1/1

High Fences & Trees with Narrow Streets Ratio: 1-1

Some of the streets are narrow with high fences

Low Buildings with Wide Streets Ratio: 1-3

1/1

High Fences & Trees with Narrow Streets Ratio: 1-1

Residential Streets

Existing Building Styles Inconsistent building heights, styles, and facade 1

materials gives a confused identity of the 2

neighborhood.

Apartment Building Sample 1

Villa Sample

Existing Park and Playground The community center provides facilities such as 1. Seating area

2. Walkways

3. Playgrounds

8 5

4. Trees for aesthetic reason 5. Sand area 6. Football yard

Although the park is not green, it is used by the residents for their social events because of its cleanliness and facilities. The area weakness:

7. It opens from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm only. 8. Walls are surrounding the space which prevent the res-

9. All the above elements are provided without shading.

8 10

idents to see the place from the street.

10. Park playground has concrete flooring and some other

area sand flooring. The playground is lacking a safety structure, children are prone to risks of injuries, bruises, or cuts.

Figure 12: The Existing Park and Playground for The Selected Site

Existing Centeral Park and Plot The park is not well maintained, thus is not functionally used by the residents, although it has the potential to serve as a central park.

Figure 13: The Existing Empty Land and Plot for The Selected Site

Existing Streets Some streets are deemed an immediate risk to pedestrian as they can fall from the broken asphalt or their feet can be got stuck on a hole.

Figure 14: Some Streets Condition The Selected Site

Existing Lighting At Night

The reduced lighting, particularly â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;switch offâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; and partnight lighting in urban areas, have centring fear of crime, perceptions of safety, and road safety. The lighting at night is as the following: 1. Most of the streets are very dark at night in the

neighborhood. 2. Street lighting provides security in urban areas. It increases the quality of life by artificially extending the hours of light so that man can carry on despite the dark. 3. In some streets shop signs have very strong lighting

which can create a light pollution. 4. The main objective of outdoor lighting is to ensure safe and comfortable visibility during dark times on streets, 5. The green lighting is used to make the mosque easier to see at night, as well as providing a spiritual feeling during walking to the mosque

Figure 15: The Lighting Status At Night for The Selected Site

D E S I GN CO NCE PT

C O NC E PT STAT M E NT

The concept is to change the priorities of street design from the current focus on motor vehicle traffic to an integrated process that accounts for the needs of pedestrians, and bicyclists as well as motorists. This integrated approach will address the following key areas: o Land use context o Safety o Develop the community o Develop a dynamic neighborhood that serves everyone o A neighborhood of sustainable mobility o Vibrant o Eco-friendly o Public health Figure 16: An Inspiration Image Presents The Vision And The Concept Statement

CAS E ST UD I E S

D I V E R S I FY I N G T R A N S P O RTAT I O N M E T H O D S Residential streets should provide safe and inviting places to walk and access to local stores and schools Having all different types of movement within the same space gives the users multiple options to suit

their needs: Pedestrian - bikes â&#x20AC;&#x201C;cars, etcâ&#x20AC;Ś

3 3

1 2

(National Association of City Transportation Officials. 2012)

1 One way streets, travel lanes may be striped to narrow the perceived width of the roadway. 2 Bike lanes reduce the risk of dooring conflicts and are an effective treatment for most neighborhood 3 1

streets.

3 High crosswalks or curb extensions maintain safe travel speeds and reinforce the residential nature of the street.

P R OV I D I N G S A F E P E D E ST R I A N M OV E M E NT Providing safe conditions for diverse user categories by the separation of pedestrian walkways from the vehicular roads and the proper selection of materials in public spaces ensures safety and comfort for all the residents. Prioritizing pedestrians: giving pedestrians the priority in a space can be achieved through the use of material or adding traffic lights for crossing the streets.

1 2

(National Association of City Transportation Officials. 2012)

The frontage zone defines the section of the sidewalk that functions as an extension of the building.

2 The pedestrian clear path defines the primary, dedicated, and accessible pathway that runs parallel 1 2 4

Residential Street Fortaleza, Brazil

to the street.

3 The street furniture zone is the section of the sidewalk between the curb and the clear paththe street. 4 The buffer zone is defined as the space immediately next to the sidewalk and may consist of a variety of different elements such as cycle tracks and greenery.

P R O P O RT I O N I N G ST R E E T S TO B U I L D I N G S 4.2

Streetscape

Coordinate proportions of streets and buildings. WiderBuilding streets forHeight massive buildings smaller streets 4.2.1 and Streetand Width

BUILDING HEIGHT TO STREET WIDTH RATIO

Sense of enclosure is generally measured as a for small low buildings. Measurements that indicate the sense of enclosure by way of building height ratio where the height of a building (measured from front building line to front building line) is measured against the width of a street. Consideration needs to be given as to how consistently this ratio applies along the length of the street through the creation of a street wall. The street wall refers to how continuous the sense of enclosure is along the street.

to street width ratio.

1/3

Enclosing streets with buildings helps to define them as urban places, creates a greater sense of intimacy5 and promotes them as pedestrian 1/2 friendly spaces that are overlooked. This sense of intimacy has been found to have a traffic-calming effect as drivers become more aware of their surroundings.

Designers should seek to promote/maintain a sense of enclosure on all streets within cities, Building height increases towns and villages (see Figure 4.7). In this as street regard. width increases â&#x20AC;˘

(Design Manual for Urban Roads and Streets, 2019)

â&#x20AC;˘

A strong sense of enclosure should be promoted in large Centres. The most effective way of achieving this is with a building height to street width ratio greater than 1:2 and street wall that is predominantly solid (allowing for intermittent gaps only). A good sense of enclosure can also be achieved with a building height to street width ratio of 1:3 and a street wall that is

1 Ratio of 1:1 - Very strong sense of enclosure (street trees optional)

2 Ratio of 1:2 - Strong sense of enclosure (supplementary street trees desirable)

1 3 Ratio of 1:3 - Moderate sense of enclosure (supplementary street trees required) (Design Manual for Urban Roads and Streets, 2019)

CONTINUITY OF THE STREET WALL

R E S I D E NT I A L C O M M U N I T Y Unifying the Visual Identity Unifying building structures achieves consistency, and harmony in facade treatment.

Spreading The Green Spreading Green spaces every 300 m, a calculated reasonable walkable distance from any point in the neighborhood, resulting in many small parks spread around the area.

Parks in Residential Community Parks in residential areas enhance social interaction between people. Parks also provide Children to experience better emotional stability and improved mental health

Karl Farkas Park, Vienna, Austria

C H I L D - F R I E N D LY T R AV E L R O UT E S

1 2

1 3

4 1

3 (Designing Child-Friendly High Density Neighbourhoods,2019)

1 Safe pedestrian crossings and traffic calming nearby schools. 2 Playful interventions and traffic calming initiatives along designated childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s travel routes 3 4

3 Signage indicating childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s common travel routes. 4 Info-graphics for wayfinding and to remind children to watch for oncoming traffic.

spaces on multiple levels, referred to as â&#x20AC;&#x153;sky gardensâ&#x20AC;?. This also means that any space allocated to car-parking is almost always topped with lush gardens.

R A I S E D G A R D E N S A N D P L AY G R O U N D S

can easily move through these spaces to visit friends and encounter a range of play opportunities. (Refer to case study #2)

(Designing Child-Friendly High Density Neighbourhoods,2019)

Raised gardens and raised playground are accessible green networks between buildings and people in neighborhood. By separating cars and pedestrian life (including play), removes the dangers posed by traffic, giving children more independence and freedom to roam.

DESIGN SOLUTION

Main Street

Residential Street # 2

Residential Street # 3

Residential Street # 1

E X I ST I N G ST R E E T S P L A N S

1 3

2 4

4 61

4 62

Main Street

Residential Street # 2

Residential Street # 3

Residential Street # 1

P R O P O S E D ST R E E T S P L A N S

1 3

2 4

R E S I D E NT I A L ST R E E T # 1 Existing Residential Street Elevation

Residential Street Solution

Add protected cycle tracks by locating them between the curb and the offset parking lane on both sides.

Alternate parking spaces with trees and use permeable paving for the parking lane.

Align pedestrian islands with the parking spaces to protect pedestrians waiting to cross the street.

2 1 3 (National Association of City Transportation Officials. 2012)

Proposed Residential Street Elevation

R E S I D E NT I A L ST R E E T # 2 Existing Residential Street Elevation

Residential Street Solution

Activate the central median with a raised pedestrian islands for walkways, Broad central medians can become a community focal point as well as an active space for recreation, exercise, and leisure.

2 Add a raised cycle track 2

(National Association of City Transportation Officials. 2012)

island..

next to pedestrian

Proposed Residential Street Elevation

M A I N ST R E E T Existing Residential Street Elevation

Main Street Solution

Elevated Pedestrian Crossings: is required across limited access highways, heavy rail lines, where pedestrian crossings is not

provided at the same

level as the street. It increases walking distances and saety.

(National Association of City Transportation Officials. 2012)

Proposed Residential Street Elevation

E X I ST I N G PA R K

be similar in other Australian capital cities, including Melbourne and Brisbane. As planners, architects and councils scramble to catch up with demand, it is important to remember the needs of all the endusers, including those of our youngest citizens. This report focuses on the needs of children as endusers who are consistently left out of conversations ◊ By turning the place to an active park, people will use itrelating for social interaction. Then to neighbourhood designthe and whose needs are often neglected when they do not align with the neighborhood can promote physical activity to strengthen community. short-term profit goals of developers.

◊

At the heart of a child-friendly neighbourhood lies the desire to provide children with opportunities to create meaning and a sense of belonging. This report aims to inspire architects, councils and developers on how this can be done.

It will be designed to have a direct access to outdoor green space, the visibility the Over an eight-week period Iof travelled around the world interviewing more than 40 experts in the

play space from the windows and the balconies, the size andfield quality of the communal of child-friendly cities, playincluding architects,

Access to Nature

planners, developers, council workers, academics, ful invitations within the landscape are all contributing factors toadvocates the richness childhood. play andto parents. Due to the nature of the project, it was not possible to formally interview ◊ A child-friendly neighbourhood lies the desire to provide children with opportunities children themselves, however local advocates who engage with children within communities were to create meaning and a sense of belonging. interviewed. I also visited built interventions and neighbourhoods designed with children’s needs in mind. The aim of the research project was to understand what sort of built solutions, programed interventions or policy changes might make neighbourhoods more friendly for children. The report focuses on factors that have been found to positively contribute to children’s health and wellbeing, including access to nature, walkability, spatial playability, social connectedness, a sense of ownership and agency. These attributes help to form a holistic vision for a neighbourhood that

Provide public spaces

Promote physical activity

Playability

Sense of Ownership

Social Connectedness

Active Mobility

Agency & Decision-Making

(Designing Child-Friendly High Density Neighbourhoods,2019)

Strategy 1: Urban Fabric Development Strategy 2: Foster Human And Ecological Health Strategy 3: Increase vegetation

Enhance Social Interaction

of the city’s ho unit dwellings already living

Even though increased ove the impressio “transition” h raising a fam suburban det that higher-d desirable for been predom empty-nesters a result, “cont become chil centres being (Woolcock et

Nonetheless large home w increasing pro for more sust free lifestyles. choosing to f for the conve transport, cult

The Urban Ta that currently households w and 8% sing predicted to i – and increas and their need

Proposed Park Design

E X I ST I N G S PAC E

â&#x2014;&#x160;

Creating an urban play-yard that includes many facilities including swings, slides, and

â&#x2014;&#x160;

An urban play-yard within a dense neighbourhood, providing childre with space to be

URBAN PLAY-YARD fitness equipment runs through the entire site; encouraging adults and kids to be more active. messy, adventurous and with a sense of belonging to their community. â&#x2014;&#x160;

Staffing these spaces allows children to come on their own, giving parents the peace of

mind that they are safe. It also means that the play workers can create a sense of community

Design Interventions

and an inclusive environment for all children.

Diagram: An urban play-yard within a dense neighbourhood, providing children with space to be messy, adventurous and with a sense of belonging to their community.

A communal space for messy play within an urban neighbourhood

basis. Children can truly be as messy and creative as they wish, which would neither be possible nor acceptable in a traditional manicured city park.

Importantly, these spaces are staffed by permanent play workers (funded by the local council) who facilitate playful opportunities and maintain the Provide public spacesHarappa Play Park Promote physical activity Project: Komazawa play equipment. Staffing these spaces allows children to come on their own, giving parents the In a densely populated city such as Tokyo, space peace of mind that they are safe. It also means that for private backyards is often scarce. In order to the play workers can create a sense of community give children the opportunity to be messy and free and an inclusive environment for all children. within a dense urban environment, the first city Play Park was established in 1971 as an urban Seasonal festivals and events are set up for the equivalent to the backyard. There are now more children, giving the young residents an opportunity than 40 scattered around Tokyo, providing space to come together and feel a sense of belonging in which children and youth can get their hands within their community and a connection to nature. (and clothes) dirty, build a den, climb a tree, sit around a bonfire or set up an impromptu water As cities continue to densify and fewer children have access to a private yard, space for messy play slide. must not be forgotten. An urban play-yard such as The parks are open and free to all children (above this provides vital play and social opportunities the age of six children are welcome to come on and should be a component of any child-friendly their own) and many children will stop by on a daily neighbourhood.

(Designing Child-Friendly High Density Neighbourhoods,2019)

Tokyo, Japan

Increase vegetation

Strategy 1: Urban Fabric Development Strategy 2: Foster Human And Ecological Health Strategy 3: Enhance Social Interaction Photo (Left Page): Teenagers hanging out at the Komazawa Harappa Play Park nearby to the equipment shed. Photo (Bottom): Small girl splashing water with a playworker at the Komazawa Harappa Play Park.

Designing Child-Friendly Neighbourhoods 33

Proposed Urban Play-Yard

E X I ST I N G C O M M U N I T Y C E NT E R P U B L I C A R E A

Melbourne and Brisbane. As planners, architects and councils scramble to catch up with demand, it is important to remember the needs of all the endusers, including those of our youngest citizens. This report focuses on the needs of children as endusers who are consistently left out of conversations relating to neighbourhood design and whose needs ◊ Within higher-density neighbourhoods, the community center provides an important are often neglected when they do not align with the asset for community use both from a spatial andshort-term a social perspective. profit goals of developers.

◊

It can provide much-needed open play space for use during the day, while the Over an eight-week period I travelled around the world interviewing more than 40 experts in the building itself can act as a hub for the local community. field of child-friendly cities, including architects, ◊ Symbolically, the center becomes the heartplanners, of the community, providing developers, council children workers,with academics, play advocates and parents. Due to the nature of a sense of pride and belonging and residents feel a shared sense ofpossible responsibility for theinterview the project, it was not to formally children themselves, however local advocates who community asset. engage with children within communities were interviewed.

Access to Nature

Social Connectedness

SCHOOL AS COMMUNITY HEART

I also visited built interventions and neighbourhoods designed with children’s needs in mind. The aim of the research project was to understand what sort of built solutions, programed interventions or policy changes might make neighbourhoods more friendly for children. The report focuses on factors that have been found to positively contribute to children’s health and wellbeing, including access to nature, walkability, spatial playability, social connectedness, a sense 02 of ownership and agency. These attributes help to form a holistic vision for a neighbourhood that

1. Live-in day-care units integrated into an Playability apartment complex 2. Private outdoor space for the use of a day-care 3. Access to larger communal facilities for use during the day

Sense of Ownership

Active Mobility

Agency & Decision-Making

(Designing Child-Friendly High Density Neighbourhoods,2019)

Strategy 1: 1. School yard open to theHigh Density 2. Facilities such as sports courts (Designing Child-Friendly Neighbourhoods,2019) public after school hours

shared by school & community

Community yard open to the public after school hours. complex consists of 71 social-housing units that overlook the open play space. The school was 2. Facilities such as sports courts shared by community center. envisioned as a community hub and includes a kindergarten, youth centre, neighbourhood meeting 3. Shared Netherlands indoor facilities accessible to the public. Amsterdam, areas and a multi-functional space for community activities.

A school at the centre of a neighbourhood

3. Shared indoor facilities accessible to the public

Project: Fiep Westendorp

Enhance Social Interaction Strategy 2: Foster Human And Ecological Health

unit dw alread

Even increa the im “transi raising suburb that h desirab been p empty a resu becom centres (Wool

Nonet large h increa for mo free lif choosi for the transpo

The Ur that cu househ and 8 predic – and and th

Proposed Community Center Public Area

E X I ST I N G R E S I D E NT I A L ST R E E T # 1

Residential Street Solution Median Cut-Through

Add cut through median to provide crossing. Cut-throughs should be provided where a distance to the closest safe pedestrian crossing is more than 80â&#x20AC;&#x201C;100 m.

2 4

Median should be at least 1.8 m deep but have a preferred depth of 2.4 m. The width of the cut-through should be equal to the width of the pedestrian crossing, or at least as wide as the clear path.

3 3

Median should include curbs, bollards, or other features to protect people waiting to cross.

1 4

Add Sign to the cut through median inside cut-through median area.

(National Association of City Transportation Officials. 2012)

Proposed Residential Street # 1

2 3

E X I ST I N G R E S I D E NT I A L ST R E E T # 2

Residential Street Solution

Activate the central median with a raised pedestrian islands for walkways, Broad central medians can become a community focal point as well as an active space for recreation, exercise, and leisure.

4 1 3 2

2 Add a raised cycle track

next to pedestrian

island.

Provide parking for residents.

Provide access to the recreational median for for residents and narrows the overall cross-section of the road, reinforcing its residential character.

(National Association of City Transportation Officials. 2012)

Proposed Residential Street # 2

3 4 2 1

E X I ST I N G R E S I D E NT I A L ST R E E T # 3

Residential Street Solution Shared Street

By removing the physical distinctions between pedestrian, cycle, and vehicular spaces, shared street treatments force all users to share the street, increasing awareness and reducing motor vehicle speeds.

Provide tactile warning strips at the entrance to all shared spaces. Warning strips should span the entire intersection crossing.

Add pavement treatments such as colored or pattern-stamped asphalt, concrete, or concrete pavers, which can be used to make other traffic calming techniques more noticeable to drivers.

Add light the streets evenly to create a safe and inviting environment.

(National Association of City Transportation Officials. 2012)

Proposed Residential Street # 3

E X I ST I N G M A I N ST R E E T

Residential Street Solution

Widen

sidewalks

provide

increased

space for pedestrians and landscape.

2 Introduce a dedicated pedestrian lane.

Add a small structured divider are located before intersections to prevent vehicle

incursions.

(National Association of City Transportation Officials. 2012)

Add Sign before pedestrian lane area.

Proposed Main Street

4 1

3 2

REFERENCES

◊ CITIES FOR PLAY. (2019). Designing Child-Friendly High Density Neighbourhoods .

◊ Island Press. (2016). Global street design guide: global designing cities initiativ e. Washington.

◊ Island Press. (2016). Urban street design guide: global designing cities initiative . Washington.

◊ Ink, S. (2012). Urban Street Design Guide.

◊ Moughtin, C. (2016). Urban design: street and square. Routledge.

◊ Steiner, F. R., & Butler, K. S. (2007). Planning and urban design standards American Planning Association . Hoboken, NJ: J. Wiley.

◊ Lahart, J. (2019). Design Manual for Urban Roads and Streets .