Importance of play areas in child development and design guidelines for play areas

Abstract

Play is the basic requirement of a child. It is important for his physical, psychological and social development. Today, especially children between the ages 2-12 cannot use outdoor spaces of the urban environment as effective as they should. This problem is related with technological development, changes in life styles and social and physical environment. Play areas provided in modem urban environment are also in adequate to meet their demands. Limiting the activities of children especially at exterior spaces cause problems in their social development. A child who is forced to live in interior spaces grows up as a consuming individual, without experiencing sharing, social supporting and production. By considering the development of the child and his relation with space; the study aims to define the play areas of preschool and school age children from house entrance to playgrounds, and to determine design criteria to provide effective use of play areas in existing and developing housing area.