ASSESSING CHILD-PLAY ENVIRONMENTS: ARCHITECTURAL IMPACT OF NATURE BASED PLAY-AREAS ON THE QUALITY OF CHILDREN’S DEVELOPMENT

This study is concerned with the positive impact of nature- based play on proper physical, social and cognitive child development. The study tackles the problem of conventional play areas in Cairo. Areas characterized by artificial environments and guided play, which limit children’s ability to explore. The aim is to assess the conventional design approach of playgrounds and to reach recommendations for ones that acknowledge and incorporate the benefits of natural features in children’s play spaces. The objectives of the study are to extract guidelines for the enhancement of the physical built environment based on the interaction of child driven play settings and to develop tools to incorporate child play spaces with natural elements. The study adopts a methodology based on interviews and multi-tasked group workshops with children. A sample group of 25 children, aged six to eight years, were interviewed. They were also asked to draw their dream play spaces and to answer a visual questionnaire to record their impressions and suggestions towards play around natural features. The children were observed while playing in conventional playgrounds to record their interactions with the few available natural features. The fieldwork took place in three conventional play settings in Cairo. The results of the study verify that children would choose natural elements to play around, if they were available. Moreover, the results advocate physical, social and cognitive potentials in the availability of natural features within play settings. The study concludes that the conventional design approach of a soft ground with manufactured equipment needs to be revisited to accommodate natural features that offer free play opportunities. Thus, eventually prepare skilful, nature-conscious children.