Evaluating effective factors in the security of children recreational areas (Case study: Niavaran district, Tehran)

Today with the development of urbanism and evolution of the citizen’s residential patterns, the quality of children presence in public arenas and recreational areas, their interaction with groups of children of the same age in these areas have been effected due to security problems and increasing level of vulnerability in these areas. This has resulted in the confinement of children to the house environment, and children have limited opportunity for exploring themselves and experiencing the natural environment. The present article seeks to investigate effective factors in the security of children recreational areas. Study is performed in Niavaran district and Niavaran Park. Statistical group consists of 9591 residents of Niavaran district. Statistical sample were analyzed using standard deviation, sampling methods, and by distributing questionnaires between 95 people (about 1 percent of statistical group). Three research questions were proposed: How much does the design of playgrounds, equipment in the play grounds, and its environmental features influence the children security? Variables were included in the questionnaires with Likert spectrum. Results indicate that the design of play grounds plays an important role in children safety. Variables like hidden and insecure corners, playground distinction, how the playground is equipped, lighting and material used in playground floor are more effective. Moreover, the equipment used in playground and the security of equipment have an important role in children security. Environmental features are also somehow important in children security. In this regard, trusting playground, increasing visibility, and marginal and active land usages have a more significant role.