An approach towards the planning of green child-friendly spaces in South Africa

Abstract

The impact of green spaces in terms of sustainability and quality of life is well documented in recent literature. Such is the growing awareness of the importance and benefits of designing healthy, safe public spaces for children. Research proved that a child's interaction with the world is directly affected by their natural environment and as 29.2 percent of the South African population is younger than fifteen years, the importance to plan and provide sufficient green child-friendly spaces is essential. However, green child-friendly spaces are a scare commodity in the South African environment. This article aims to investigate the planning of green child-friendly spaces within a local context. It relies on international theory and best practices of child-friendly spaces, and translates such to the local context of South Africa. In this sense, a discussion of the specific needs of rural communities are included, as well as an evaluation of the different challenges and objectives applicable to urban and rural areas, specifically when planning child-friendly spaces within this context. The case study emphasized the need for the planning of green child-friendly spaces in rural areas. It was evident that community participation is crucial and that the inclusion of natural elements would be essential, not only to bridge budget limitations but also to enhance skill-development and creative play, addressing (some) local challenges through integrative planning approaches. This article concluded with an approach for planning green child-friendly spaces in South Africa.