Groot, Rienk de (2023) Building child-friendly neighbourhoods in Súdwest-Fryslân. Pre-master thesis.
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Building child-friendly neighbourhoods in Súdwest-Fryslân (Rienk de Groot s4036085).pdf Download (6MB) | Preview |
Abstract
This research has investigated the extent to which and the way how stakeholders, involved in the planning and design of new neighbourhoods in Súdwest-Fryslân, are building child-friendly environments. The study aims to investigate the governance systems and processes needed to support creating those environments and the degree to which planning policies are child-friendly. Additionally, the study aims to investigate how these policies are turned into practice within two recently-built neighbourhoods within the municipality of Súdwest-Fryslân. A qualitative case study research has been conducted using multiple methods: policy review, seven semi-structured interviews and observation. Results show that there are no policies specifically aimed at children or to create child-friendly environments, but there are policies and practices active within the municipality that help creating such environments. The municipality also shows that it cares about the rights of children by organizing a yearly children’s conference, establishing a children’s council and appointing a children’s mayor. However, children are not structurally invited to participate in the construction of new neighbourhoods. The partnership with a child participation foundation provides expertise, but also dependence. The policies on child-friendly street design, accessibility for children, and opportunity for outdoor play have been examined in practice within the neighbourhoods of Harinxmaland and Houkepoort in Sneek. Both neighbourhoods have a child-friendly street design, which increases the opportunity for children to move around independently and explore their surroundings. The accessibility to facilities within both neighbourhoods is high, with high-quality and well-maintained routes. However, the accessibility of facilities outside of the neighbourhoods is lower, because the main crossings with the busy ring road are level crossings. Within the municipality, there is a clear policy on play and that policy is well executed in both neighbourhoods. Especially in Harinxmaland, there is significant potential for age-specific play opportunities. In the smaller neighbourhood of Houkepoort, this potential is lower. Here, more land had to be reserved for housing to make the project profitable, leaving less space for play facilities. The municipality can increase child participation on location-specific issues, which in turn may improve accessibility for children. An overarching team for child-friendliness could support this.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Pre-master) |
|---|---|
| Degree programme: | Society, Sustainability and Planning (MSc Socio-spatial Planning) |
| Supervisor: | Rauws, W.S. and Niekerk, F. |
| Date Deposited: | 12 Oct 2023 12:55 |
| Last Modified: | 12 Oct 2023 12:55 |
| URI: | https://frw.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/4411 |
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