Learning to Play in Nature; an Urban Playground for Adolescents
Abstract
This project examines the problems surrounding the increase in adverse health related issues directly relating to the decrease in society’s physical activity and exercise opportunities for adolescents in their immediate communities. The typology of this project is an educational recreation space aimed at
adolescents and addresses the following questions: What characteristics of urban space can make a healthy community and how are landscape patterns making it healthy and safe for adolescents as a vulnerable group? Through research and mixed-methods of data collection and analysis, this study investigates how the built environment can have a positive effect on children’s health and wellbeing. Using three case
studies from diverse locations, this project examines how a space can create successful opportunities
for adolescents with the aid of multi-disciplinary design teams. The hypothesis is that functional and interpretative landscapes in urban environments will enhance the public health of adolescents by promoting and encouraging a healthy lifestyle. The significance of this project brings to light the staggering numbers of adverse health issues related to children’s health and promotes the profession of Landscape Architecture as an advocate for change in the way spaces are designed in the future.