children, nature and the city

8/2/2019 Children, Nature and the City

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Children, Nature and the City

Prepared by: Kay Sales MDL

March 9, 2012

“…........children are disappearing from the outdoors at a rate that would make the top of any

conservationist’s list of endangered species if they were any other member of the animalkingdom…....” Tim Gill (2005) [1]

Introduction

The increase in childhood obesity and the lack of nature and opportunities for unstructured outdoor play in the urban

environment has meant that children today lead very different lives than children two generations ago. As the world

population grows and more people move to cities, the number of obese children will also rise if cities continue to offer

very little access to quality outdoor spaces. Currently there are limited opportunities for children to be active in cities in

comparison to the suburbs and rural areas. A report from the UK shows that people living in high greenery areas are

three times more likely to be physically active and 40% less likely to be overweight than their city counterparts [2].

The loss of natural surroundings in the modern city is, according to author Richard Louv, one of the main causes of

“nature deficit disorder”[3] and the decline in experiences in nature, particularly in low income, high density areas with

deficiencies in green space, results in a wide range of childhood behavioural problems. It has been shown that nature in

our cities will enhance and enrich citizens lives by making full use of their senses, cognitive development and health and

wellbeing [4].

As children spend more time indoors or in highly regulated activity, they spend less time just playing. The importance of

play in children’s lives cannot be understated. Many studies have shown that play is a primary need for children and as

Adrian Voce, former director of Play England, wrote in a recent article:

”...play deprivation can have profound implications for children's health: obesity, attention deficit disorder, rickets and

depression are just some of the conditions linked to the sedentary indoor lifestyles that are an inevitable consequence of

children being denied access to outdoor play."[5].

Research indicates that unstructured free play in natural surroundings has been linked to improvements in cognitive,

behavioural and physical functioning [6]. Nature also provides a broad range of play opportunities and children are more

creative and have a higher activity level when in the presence of a natural environment [7]. Creating more opportunities in

the urban framework for children to be outside and connect with nature on a daily basis, will encourage activity and

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facilitate play. Levels of activity in the local neighbourhood has also been shown to have a direct influence on the levels of

crime, litter and graffiti. Higher levels of greenery result in lower levels of graffiti and litter [8].

This body of research points to the fact that the most efficient use of open space in a city for encouraging activity,

creativity and agency is the natural landscape.

Project Description

This research project explores tackling obesity, nature deficit disorder and play deprivation in urban children by using

nature as the agency of change; connecting children and nature through play in new public spaces inserted within the

living fabric of the city. These natural interventions will work in harmony with the existing green infrastructure and form a

living city plan, representing a system of nature and play initiatives that can adapt and change into the future. By

retrofitting the utilitarian aspects of the public realm to include nature and highlight the natural cycles, they will become

more conducive with the way children naturally play.

Using the schools and existing parks as the nucleii throughout the city, the project will identify places across the public

realm that can be used to link these gathering spaces together, thereby creating “wildlife corridors” for both children and

wildlife.

Beyond this research project, there is a huge potential to develop guidelines and policies to ensure multidisciplinary

collaboration when retrofitting urban open spaces. By adding layers, the spaces could potentially function as wildlife

corridors, storm water recharge areas, outdoor classrooms and/or green roof/allotments, thereby creating high

performance, multifunctional spaces. Infilling and density issues in the future mean that single-function open spaces in

the urban framework are no longer feasible options.

Theoretical Orientation

The role of landscape and it’s place in the public realm are at the heart of the research project. The public realm, as its

name suggests, belongs to all citizens. If these interstitial spaces are seen, by the local community, to not belong to the

neighbourhood, then it’s because they are not desirable enough to want to own or be part of. However, if they are

infused with play, activity and connectivity, then the sense of ownership can potentially change. By enriching these

spaces with nature, they can start to truly belong to the community.

Using Copenhagen as a case study, the research project will frame a potential city wide investment in human/nature

social capital through the renaturing of the urban environment.

A quantitative approach will be used for the research with two phases, the first focuses on data collection through digital

mapping, GIS, census survey, on site observation and patterns of use and is then followed by data analysis, revealing the

findings.

This will lead to determining geographical priorities and inform the placement of potential interventions. Interpretation of

the data will involve siting the location of schools and parks to be the nucleii throughout the city from which nature will

stretch and link to the new natural interventions. By investigating the opportunities through mapping, observation and

context, an overarching system will reveal itself. Further analysis will involve research into ecology and sustainability,

school and community involvement, native habitats and biodiversity, habitat restoration and self-sustaining systems of

nature.






Comparison to existing research

In Richard Louv’s book “The Nature Principle” he wrote about the restorative power of nature, how it can enrich and

redefine our communities to include all living things [9]. The Urban Greenspace Institute in Portland has also campaigned

extensively to promote the positive impact urban wildlife has on the social fabric of the city [10]. The Garden City

Movement of the late 19th century understood the need to design cities with elements of the country in them [11]. Others

reiterate the need for “biophilic” design within the urban landscape [12]. Tim Gill, author of “No Fear: Growing up in a risk

averse society” believes that “If children are to enjoy and make the most of their lives, we need to revisit and revise our

ideas of what a good childhood looks and feels like. We need to reconnect children with the people and places around

them, and with the natural world on their doorstep.” [13]

While much has been researched on the subjects of childhood obesity, nature deficit disorder and play deprivation,

separately or together, there has yet to be a practical application of these topics, from a landscape architecture point of

view, in the form of a city wide intervention. This research project will determine the feasibility of naturing the whole city by

creating one living organism and will culminate in a case study interactive reference map and report, summarizing the

findings and potential solutions of this proposal.

Choice of Materials The most coherent method of representing the underlying and overlaying structures within the urban framework is in

visual form. Information graphics and data visualisation are excellent tools in conveying research ideas, concepts and

data. New technologies have created an online world of compelling visuals, where powerful information graphics are

persuasive and accessible.

Mapping the structures of the city will require specific representational formats, both digital and analogue. As interactive

maps will be used for some of the data collection phase, it follows that it would be ideal to use similar representations to

present the conclusion of the project. With a unique background in graphic design, animation and landscape

architecture, using interactive information graphics to visualize multiple layers of information in a narrative form, will aid in

explaining and clarifying the potential opportunities and results. A comprehensive report of the findings will also

accompany the visual work.

Projects perspectives

The current recession has many western governments funding research into what makes people happy. Unicef recently

completed a study in the UK, comparing childrens lives in the UK, Sweden and Spain.

“What constitutes a ‘good day’ for children was very simple: time with those they love (friends, family and even pets);

creative or sporting activities; being outdoors and having fun.” [14]

Keri Facer writes about “a new common sense emerging as a body of research begins to show that wellbeing beyond a

basic level of income depends not on more money, but upon lasting relationships, good health, exercise, education,

good relationships with children, community, friends, faith and sex.” [15]

This is nothing new, in 1968 Robert Kennedy addressed the failure of accounting systems to work out what contributed

to quality of life.

"... the gross national product does not allow for the health of our children, the quality of their education or the joy of their

play. It does not include the beauty of our poetry or the strength of our marriages, the intelligence of our public debate or

the integrity of our public officials. It measures neither our wit nor our courage, neither our wisdom nor our learning,


http://timrgill.wordpress.com/no-fear/









neither our compassion nor our devotion to our country, it measures everything in short, except that which makes life

worthwhile." [16]

While obesity, nature deficit disorder and play deprivation are the main focus of this research project and the motivation

behind it being the betterment of childrens lives within the city, the overarching issue is really the wellbeing and quality of

life of the urban population. To create a connection between children, nature and play, involve the community in the

improvement of public spaces, enhance the neighbourhood and renature the city will go some way to improve the health

and wellbeing of the urban population.

The completed research project has the potential to act as a springboard for others to develop and create new policies

and municipal guidelines on how to frame natural open space in and around the city; i.e., accepting only multifunctional

design proposals, being stringent on the quality of nature involved, ensuring that part of the process involves

multidisciplinary collaboration.






References

[1] Gill, Tim. “Let our children roam free.” The Economist. 2005.

[2] Sustainable Development Commission. “Health, place and nature - How outdoor environments influence health and

wellbeing: a knowledge base.” Sustainable Development Commission, London. 2008.

[3] Louv, Richard. Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder. Algonquin Books. 2005.

[4] Deakin University, School of Health and Social Development. “Healthy parks, healthy people - The health benefits of

contact with nature in a park context.” Deakin University and Parks Victoria. 2008.

[5] Voce, Adrian. “The government needs to pitch in on child's play.” 03 Aug 2011 <http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/

joepublic/2011/aug/03/playday-government-pitch-in-on-play>

[6] Burdette, Hillary L., M.D., M.S.; and Robert C. Whitaker, M.D, M.P.H. "Resurrecting Free Play in Young Children:

Looking Beyond Fitness and Fatness to Attention, Affiliation and Affect." A merican Medical Association. 2005.

[7] Fjørtoft, Ingunn. “Landscape as Playscape: The Effects of Natural Environments on Children’s Play and Motor

Development.” Telemark University. Faculty of Arts, Folk Culture and Teacher Education. Norway. 2004.

[8] Police Reform and Social Responsibility Bill. Reference - Ellaway, A, Macintyre, S and Bonnefoy, “Graffiti, Greenery,

and Obesity in Adults: Secondary Analysis of European Cross-Sectional Survey.” British Medical Journal, 331: 611-612.

2005.

[9] Louv, Richard. The Nature Principle: Human Restoration and the End of Nature-Deficit Disorder. Algonquin Books.

2011.

[10] Urban Green Institute. <http://www.urbangreenspaces.org> Portland, Oregon. 2005.

[11] Buder, Stanley. Visionaries and Planners: The Garden City Movement and the Modern Community. Oxford University

Press, USA. 1990.

[12] Beatley, Timothy. Biophilic Cities: Integrating Nature into Urban Design and Planning. Island Press. 2010.

[13] Gill, Tim. Homepage: about. <http://rethinkingchildhood.com/about>

[14] Ipsos MORI, Social Research Institute. In partnership with Dr Agnes Nairn. “ Children’s Well-being in UK, Sweden

and Spain: The Role of Inequality and Materialism.” A Quantitative Study. UNICEF UK. 2011.

[15] Facer, Keri. Learning Futures: Education, Technology and Social Change. Routledge. 2011.

[16] Kennedy, Robert. <http://www.jfklibrary.org/Research/Ready-Reference/RFK-Speeches/Remarks-of-Robert-F-

Kennedy-at-the-University-of-Kansas-March-18-1968.aspx> 1968.


http://www.jfklibrary.org/Research/Ready-Reference/RFK-Speeches/Remarks-of-Robert-F-Kennedy-at-the-University-of-Kansas-March-18-1968.aspx


http://rethinkingchildhood.com/about/

http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/joepublic/2011/aug/03/playday-government-pitch-in-on-play












http://www.urbangreenspaces.org/

http://www.urbangreenspaces.org/





children, nature and the city

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