Socio-spatial characteristics supportive of children's playful activities in public open spaces of affordable housing complexes Case study: MASKAN-e-MEHR, Sanandaj

In residential areas, public open spaces offer various opportunities for children's desired activity. Examining children's activities at specific locations highlights the environmental affordances offered by the environment, informing potential interventions and future design considerations. To study children's play in a densely populated affordable housing complex, we used behavioral mapping to observe their activities in open areas over a year. We recorded 4,453 activities among children aged 2 to 18. These records captured place-centered data related to their age, gender, postures, and the individual/group mode of activity. By inputting this data into a Geographic Information System (GIS), we enable to produce place-oriented maps that highlighted where and how these activities occurred. Qualitative analysis of the GIS maps helped us gain a comprehensive understanding of the socio-spatial features that support playful activities. These features include spatial characteristics, temporal elements, and social dimensions. Additionally, we employed non-parametric statistical methods to analyze the qualitative data related to age, gender, and activity types. The study revealed that playful activities were the most common way children used the open spaces. These activities, however, differed by age and gender, and were also influenced by the spatial layout. Boys, particularly from the age of six onwards, were more prominent and unrestricted in their presence and activities within the open spaces compared to girls. This difference peaked during adolescence. The spatial layout of these areas played a significant role in shaping children's play. Areas closest to apartment buildings provided a safe and engaging environment for younger children (under six) and activities requiring adult supervision and socialization. These areas typically offered settings suitable for quieter activities. In contrast, boys over six often dominated areas further away from the buildings, engaging in active physical play. These areas typically had open centers suitable for running and games, often found near pedestrian areas, riding paths, and parking lots. Although the study identified some gender differences in play patterns across different zones, both areas near and far from apartment buildings offered important features that supported play. By providing both sociable edges suitable for quieter activities and open centers for active play, these features catered to a range of developmental needs. To encourage children’s safe exploration beyond their immediate surroundings, a two-zone design strategy is proposed. Zone 1, situated in close proximity to apartment blocks, would function as semi-private spaces designed to accommodate a variety of recreational, physical, and social activities for resident children. This zone would prioritize features that enable parental supervision while mitigating vehicular interference. Zone 2, encompassing public spaces further from the buildings, would cater to children's independent playfull activities. These zones would be interconnected through a network of pedestrian and cycling paths. Adult superviosion in these zones would create safe settings for all children to engage in playful activities, especially those who might feel less comfortable alone (younger kids and girls). This two-zone approach, with both supervision and connectivity, has the potential to make affordable housing complexes more inclusive and stimulating for children.