Evaluating the Components of a Child-Friendly City (A Case Study of Amol)

Document Type : Articles from PhD & Master Dissertations

Authors

1 M.A. Student, Department of Geography and Urban Planning, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Mazandaran, Babolsar, Iran

2 Professor, Department of Geography and Urban Planning, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Mazandaran, Babolsar, Iran

3 Associate Professor, Department of Geography and Urban Planning, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Mazandaran, Babolsar, Iran

Abstract

The service and social inequalities resulting from poor urban conditions underline the necessity of focusing more on children, who constitute a vulnerable and crucial segment of society. Meeting children’s needs and demands within the framework of child-friendly city principles is essential. This study aims to assess the status of child-friendly city components and indicators in Amol, prioritizing them based on feedback from children and their parents. The research methodology involves surveys, questionnaires, and interviews with children as the analysis units and the entire child population of Amol as the statistical population. Through Cochran's sampling method, 250 samples were chosen using cluster random sampling. Data analysis employed the one-sample t-test and Friedman's test. The findings indicate that not all components of a child-friendly city are deficient and exhibit a notable deviation from the desired level. Moreover, there is a significant variance in the importance levels of these components; notably, access to services ranks highest in priority, while participation and valuing of children rank lowest. This suggests a lack of attention to fulfilling children's needs and desires within the context of child-friendly city components. Children have not been adequately acknowledged as stakeholders in development decisions. To enhance child-friendly indicators, prioritizing children's participation and recognizing their value are imperative.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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Urban Structure and Function Studies
Volume 11, Issue 41
October 2024
Pages 143-165

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History

  • Receive Date: 04 April 2024
  • Revise Date: 04 July 2024
  • Accept Date: 08 September 2024

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