Environmental educational potentials on school grounds in Budapest

Abstract

As nature and greenspaces in urban areas are agreed to enhance children’s appreciation towards natureand so the purposes of environmental education, it is of high importance to create spaces in and aroundschools that allow students to connect to nature on a daily basis. The aim of the study was to analysefunctions and other components supporting environmental education appear in the open spaces ofschool grounds in Budapest, and to understand the main characteristics of school grounds with thehighest potential in environmental education. The study points out that the presence of environmentaleducational functions often depends on the size, urban context and location of the school grounds,however the curriculum of the school does not necessarily influence its open spaces, while the presenceof motivated and engaged teachers does. The study reveals environmental educational functions doexist in school grounds of primary schools in Budapest, however they play only secondary role behindactive movement and play functions. The schools with the best potentials in environmental educationare without doubt the ones situated on large plots in the suburban zone, mostly with a high proportionof green spaces in and around the school grounds.

Raising Healthy Children: Promoting the Multiple Benefits of Green Open Spaces through Biophilic Design

“…Parks, schools, trails, and recreation facilities provide settings that can facilitate physical activity, as well as relaxation [72]. School grounds are potential spaces for childhood exposure to nature, which is essential for the success of environmental education as well [73]. "Green" school grounds contain a greater diversity of environmental features such as trees, gardens, and nature trails, which may affect the quantity and quality of physical activity among elementary schoolchildren.…”