EURA 2023 – Emerging Scholar Award

EURA 2023

Emerging Scholar Award

Assessing Children’s Perception of Public Space Adjacent to Schools in Lombardy, Italy

Abstract
The importance of the school’s physical environment in shaping children’s experience in urban space is a recurrent research subject, with scholars advocating for 'incidental learning' as part of an environmental education for young citizens. Public space adjacent to schools is fundamental for encouraging children’s conscious growth in relation to urban life, autonomous mobility, engagement with the environment and sense of belonging.
This paper aims to present a methodological instrument developed as part of a research on Active School Travel (AST) in the region of Lombardy in Italy, where an experimental process involving 122 middle and high school students was carried out in autumn 2022. Each student was asked to produce three photographs (accompanied by a short description): the first being representative of the school’s square; the second on the main element they like; and the third on the main element they dislike. By assessing the collected material, this paper examines children’s affective perception of public space around schools, as well as the urban elements that might influence such affective judgements.
The emphasis of this research is for children rather than on children. Scholars advocate for a holistic approach when addressing the experience of children: their perception of micro-level urban design features and their affective experiences. Designing spaces for children’s enjoyment requires reflecting on the quantity and quality of stimulation of the environment, and thus should not be limited in planning safe and easy spaces around schools. Through this qualitative photovoice research, we aim to contribute with a methodological tool that is participatory and inclusive , and could potentially serve as an instrument for educators and municipal policy makers.