Exploring parental concerns about children's interactions in gated communities: a case study in Istanbul

Abstract

During the last decade, massive changes in cities in Turkey and elsewhere have significantly impacted on the outdoor interactions of children. High levels of urbanization and the diverse demographic character of city populations have modified urban development structures. Planners and policy makers regrettably do not place priority on children's well-being when making decisions about new urbanization policies. This study explores the concerns of parents for their children's use of outdoor space in a gated community which is separated physically and secured from the surrounding neighborhood. In this qualitative study, face-to-face interviews with parents of elementary school children were undertaken. Parents were asked to describe their attitudes to allowing their children to use the residential quarter for play. Parents reported on four themes to assess the range of influences on (1) safety and environmental factors, (2) level of independence, (3) play facilities, and (4) social aspects. In relation to safety and environmental factors, the focus of questions was on children's access to quarter facilities, internal transportation, pedestrian activity, and security installations. Results indicated that children's mobility directly depends on parental concerns about the conditions of the gated community in relation to safety and environmental factors, security factors, quality of play facilities, and social aspects. The findings of the study regarding parental concerns raise questions about the conditions of gated communities and their impact on children's outdoor experiences.