Evaluating children's preferences of the orphanages' outdoor spaces: Integrated multi-method ‘Jourchin’ approach

Abstract

Understanding how children perceive their physical surroundings is critical to providing a setting that supports their activities and aesthetic preferences. This study aimed to investigate orphans' preferences regarding the outdoor space of their living environment by introducing the ‘Jourchin’ approach. This approach is an illustrative model consisting of both qualitative and quantitative methods, including observation, semi-structured interview, subject-produced drawing, and photo-elicitation, to show a holistic and reliable result.The ‘Jourchin’ approach applied to three privately-run orphanages in Kerman, Iran, for a period of one year. The participants of this study were 126 orphans aged 7–17 years of both genders who lived in these orphanages at the time of research.This study demonstrates that children use the outdoor space to play, exercise, and have fun. Although they were relatively satisfied with the current situation and the facilities of the outdoor space, the outcome of the ‘Jourchin’ approach indicates that children would like to see more natural elements (flowers, trees, and plants, etc.), and prefer the availability of playground equipment, as well as sports fields and facilities in their outdoor environments.Children believed that adding new and more landscape features and play equipment would make the outdoor space more beautiful, pleasant, and a better environment for them, which causes them to enjoy using it and increase their satisfaction.