Polyhedral public play spaces for children and caregivers: an inclusive perspective

Abstract

Play is essential to children's social, emotional, cognitive, and physical well-being. Public play spaces provide important opportunities for children to participate equally in play and social interaction. In recent years, an increasing number of researchers have begun to focus on the inclusiveness of public play spaces for children with different motion, sensory and cognitive capabilities. At the same time, for care and safety reasons, children must go to the play space with their caregivers in most cases. Yet, play spaces are mainly designed for children, the caregivers, whose needs and demands are often overlooked, are obviously necessary to access the spaces. It shows a lack of understanding of inclusive and related concepts among researchers. This study examines how inclusive and related concepts are used in peer-reviewed articles about public play spaces. This study implemented a scoping review in December 2022, and 14 peer-reviewed articles were identified. These articles mainly concern inclusive and related concepts in public play spaces from caregivers' perspectives. The casual use of inclusive and related terms embodies these terms and design approaches' youthfulness, inconsistency, and confusion. Further research can distinguish these concepts through further development and research to expand the understanding of inclusion in public play spaces.

Keywords: Public Play Spaces, Inclusive Design, Universal Design, Accessibility, Usability, Caregivers

DOI: 10.54941/ahfe1003336