Urban design requirements promoting the behaviours of children and parents in school squares with different spatial characteristics

Abstract

The design of school streets and squares plays a critical role in enhancing the liveability and overall quality of life in urban environments, particularly for children and families. These spaces not only influence the physical safety and accessibility but also affect social interactions and well-being. This study aims to investigate the behaviours of children and parents in school squares with varying spatial characteristics and to identify urban design requirements that promote more liveable and inclusive environments. Conducted in three phases, the study begins by evaluating all 27 public primary school streets in Karşıyaka (İzmir, Türkiye) using an inspection tool, street view images, and spatial mapping. Based on this analysis, two school squares with the highest and lowest spatial quality scores were selected for the further study. The second phase employed on-site observations and behavioural mapping techniques in these two schools to examine the behaviours of parents and children during school entrance and exit times. The final phase includes the interpretation of the behavioural maps and the development of spatial design recommendations for school squares. The findings highlight the importance of urban design in promoting diverse behaviours among parents and children in school streets and squares, emphasizing the need for inclusive and well-structured spaces. This study offers urban planners and designers a set of spatial requirements for school squares, contributing to an underexplored area of research by showing the importance of school squares and incorporating the diverse needs and behaviours of parents and children into the design process.