| Title |
Effects of Site Design on Children`s Outdoor Activities : Comparison of Three Selected Residential Estates in Bundang Newtown |
| Abstract |
The selected residential estates in this study represent three prototypes of site design which have recently been applied to large-scale housing developments in new towns. Controlling other social and physical aspects of residents and buildings, this study investigates children's outdoor behavior using observations(semi-strutured noting, behavior mapping, and photographing) and a children interview. Findings include age and sex groups most heavily occupying outdoor environments, along wiht the grouping behavior in terms of age-mix, sex-mix, and adult-participation. Physical site environment of the sites makes difference in children's selection of place, but its effect on play type is found not significant. Preferences to the intensity of useof a place and to play activity are depedent of children's experence and currentuse pattern in given environments. Use of a place and preference to it are related to the degree to which appropriate places are provided, clustered, and connected each other. Such design aspects as direct accessibility and territoriality also affect in part children's occupation of a place. Play activity however is more related to the functional properties of a place. Thus children engage in a play that functionally responds to the environmental affordances regardless of the initial design intentions. Based on the relationship between place and play, the complementary effect of environment is also examined on children's behavior and development. |