Children's Independent Mobility and Perceptions of Outdoor Environments in Dar Es Salaam City, Tanzania

Abstract

This article discusses children's independent mobility (CIM) in Dar es Salaam City. Children's independent mobility refers to the freedom of those under 18 years old to move around in public outdoor environments without adult accompaniment. A number of studies have shown that the neighbourhood environment can be extremely important in enabling children to attain recommended levels of physical activity; the more time children are able to spend in a public outdoor environment the more they are likely to be physically active. Such studies have influenced how researchers measure children mobility, safety, development and well-being. Studies of CIM and related subjects are very important in Africa. Local conditions in support of walking and cycling are poor, which impacts on children's access to education. The study reported here involved the collection of quantitative and qualitative data through the administration of questionnaires completed by both school children aged 7–15 years old, and their parents or guardians. The main focus of this article is on the difference age and gender have on children's independent mobility, children's independent mobility after school hours and during the weekend, and on parents' perception of public outdoor environments. The article concludes with a summary of study findings and policies aimed at improving children's independent mobility and safety and security in public outdoor environments.