Evaluation of Parental Satisfaction of Children's Spaces Within High Rise Apartment Environments

Abstract

In the design process of open spaces within residential apartments, little attention is paid to children and their attitude to the environment is often ignored. Children, especially those who live in high-rise apartments, were found to have less connection with nature. Children supposedly need to engage in physical activities within outdoor areas, but urban planners, with the approval of managers or parents, must adequately design the open space for children. This paper initially reviews different research in this area. It consequently attempts to evaluate parental satisfaction regarding children's connectivity to open spaces as a dependent variable, and their preferences and perception of safety as independent variables. The research method is based on a questionnaire survey addressed to 261 parents and adults, in two localities in Tehran, Iran. The result of this research shows that parental attitude to open space has an effect on children's outdoor activities. Moreover, parents with young children express lower satisfaction to open spaces than those adults without young children. Families with children need open spaces in residential high-rise apartments for their siblings’ physical activities, and the designers should consider such an important need.

Children’s Influence on Their Parents’ Satisfaction with Physical Activity in Nature: An Exploratory Study

“…Moreover, a greater role of parents may be expected in preschool-aged children’s daily activity choices due to children’s early developmental stages [ 57 ]. However, parents of young children report less enjoyment with open areas than those without young children, according to a study [ 58 ].…”

Roles of Urban Green Spaces for Children in High-Density Metropolitan Areas during Pandemics: A Systematic Literature Review

“…Nine researchers discussed the potential for UGSs to have positive impacts on releasing children's emotional pressures and increasing their living satisfaction. Eight papers discussed the role of UGSs in addressing emotional needs during the COVID-19 pandemic in urban areas, including promoting emotional development [58,64,65,80], releasing emotional stressors such as fear of sickness, spread of the virus, and concerns about pollution [55,56], lowering levels of behavioural and emotional problems [57], and offering emotional support [72,89]. Although children expressed fewer positive emotions during the COVID-19 pandemic, UGSs were considered to provide children with an avenue for reconnection [89].…”

“…Eight papers discussed the role of UGSs in addressing emotional needs during the COVID-19 pandemic in urban areas, including promoting emotional development [58,64,65,80], releasing emotional stressors such as fear of sickness, spread of the virus, and concerns about pollution [55,56], lowering levels of behavioural and emotional problems [57], and offering emotional support [72,89]. Although children expressed fewer positive emotions during the COVID-19 pandemic, UGSs were considered to provide children with an avenue for reconnection [89]. Five studies concluded that having ample UGSs in neighbourhoods can increase children's satisfaction with life [70][71][72], including their perceived safety and satisfaction [24,70].…”

“…Two researchers have discussed the impacts of the pandemic in exacerbating resource constraints for low-income children [65,73]. With formal HDMA-UGSs restricted, five studies highlighted the role of informal UGSs in bridging children's well-being divide [55,61,73,76,78,89,92]. Developing and enhancing these spaces can promote equality and social justice [55,61,73,76,89].…”

“…With formal HDMA-UGSs restricted, five studies highlighted the role of informal UGSs in bridging children's well-being divide [55,61,73,76,78,89,92]. Developing and enhancing these spaces can promote equality and social justice [55,61,73,76,89].…”