| Title |
The Design Elements Influencing the Child-Friendliness of Pocket Parks |
| Authors |
자오두오(Zhao, Duo) ; 이민(Lee, Min) |
| DOI |
https://doi.org/10.14774/JKIID.2025.34.4.092 |
| Keywords |
child-friendliness; pocket parks; design elements; child well-being; green space optimization |
| Abstract |
With the acceleration of urbanization, competition for urban spatial resources has become increasingly intense, particularly in high-density residential areas, where children's opportunities to interact with the natural environment have been significantly reduced, affecting their physical and mental health. As a result, small-scale and flexibly arranged pocket parks have become an effective means to alleviate the shortage of urban green spaces. However, some current pocket parks overlook the specific needs of children in their design, which affects their usability and child-friendliness. This study takes “child-friendly pocket parks” as the research subject. By comprehensively adopting methods such as literature review, case analysis, field observation, and questionnaire surveys, it examines the concept, developmental evolution, and functional characteristics of pocket parks, and selects representative child-friendly pocket parks in countries such as the United States and France for case analysis. Based on relevant theories and literature, seven key design elements influencing child-friendliness in pocket parks are summarized: Safety, Accessibility, Multifunctionality, Biophilia, Playfulness, Sociability, and Educational value. Through a combination of observation and questionnaires, field research was conducted on five pocket parks in Beijing, including Sanlihe, to explore the adaptability of the above design elements within the context of local culture and environment in China. The research indicates that Playfulness, Biophilia, and Multifunctionality are the key factors influencing children’s perceived friendliness. Accordingly, practical suggestions are proposed, including the configuration of diverse play facilities, enhancement of natural element integration, and promotion of children’s participation in design, providing theoretical support and practical guidance for the construction of child-friendly urban spaces. |