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Towards Child-Friendly Streetscape in Migrant Workers’ Communities in China: A Social–Ecological Design Framework

Author

Listed:
  • Qianxi Zhang

    (School of Design, NingboTech University, Ningbo 315100, China
    Department of Architecture and Built Environment, University of Nottingham Ningbo China, Ningbo 315100, China
    The Bartlett Development Planning Unit, University College London, London WC1H 9EZ, UK)

  • Xinkai Wang

    (School of Design, NingboTech University, Ningbo 315100, China)

  • Yat Ming Loo

    (Department of Architecture and Built Environment, University of Nottingham Ningbo China, Ningbo 315100, China)

  • Wu Deng

    (Department of Architecture and Built Environment, University of Nottingham Ningbo China, Ningbo 315100, China)

  • Weixuan Chen

    (Department of Architecture and Built Environment, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
    Society Hub, The Hongkong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou), Guangzhou 511458, China)

  • Mindong Ni

    (Ningbo Urban Planning and Design Institute, Ningbo 315100, China)

  • Ling Cheng

    (School of Design, NingboTech University, Ningbo 315100, China)

Abstract

Designing child-friendly streetscapes is a pragmatic and effective approach to addressing the limited outdoor play spaces and social exclusion experienced by migrant children living in vulnerable residential areas. However, the existing research and guidelines on streetscape design lack specificity for migrant workers’ communities and fail to provide full-cycle design process guidance for real-world practices. By taking a social–ecological perspective and synthesizing the existing literature, this paper develops an integrated design framework with seven indicators to guide three stages of child-friendly streetscape regeneration in migrant workers’ communities. The effectiveness of this framework was validated by application in a case project in a typical migrant workers’ community in Ningbo, China. The results show that the social–ecological design framework can help maximize opportunities for various children’s activities on the street with limited spatial resources. It also contributes to creating inclusive streetscapes to promote social cohesion by integrating social and cultural elements, children’s participation, and place-making activities. However, institutional barriers, cultural norms, and limited resources impede children’s participation and sustainable operations, which calls for more attention to be paid to “software” building. The new framework and research findings serve as a valuable guide and reference for practitioners in the field of child-friendly environmental design, especially in the context of marginalized communities in developing countries.

Suggested Citation

  • Qianxi Zhang & Xinkai Wang & Yat Ming Loo & Wu Deng & Weixuan Chen & Mindong Ni & Ling Cheng, 2023. "Towards Child-Friendly Streetscape in Migrant Workers’ Communities in China: A Social–Ecological Design Framework," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(10), pages 1-26, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:12:y:2023:i:10:p:1826-:d:1247089
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Husam AlWaer & Ian Cooper, 2020. "Changing the Focus: Viewing Design-Led Events within Collaborative Planning," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(8), pages 1-24, April.
    2. Janet Loebach & Marcos Sanches & Julia Jaffe & Tara Elton-Marshall, 2021. "Paving the Way for Outdoor Play: Examining Socio-Environmental Barriers to Community-Based Outdoor Play," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(7), pages 1-25, March.
    3. Bo Zhou & Yumeng Zhong, 2022. "Young Floating Population in City: How Outsiderness Influences Self-Esteem of Rural-to-Urban Migrant Children in China?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(3), pages 1-12, February.
    4. Mike Biddulph, 2012. "Street Design and Street Use: Comparing Traffic Calmed and Streets," Journal of Urban Design, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 17(2), pages 213-232.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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