Many apartments have been constructed since 1970 based on government policies. playground in apartment complexes have increased with the construction of huge apartment complexes.
Although the number of children's playground has increased, the playgro...
Many apartments have been constructed since 1970 based on government policies. playground in apartment complexes have increased with the construction of huge apartment complexes.
Although the number of children's playground has increased, the playground quality has been ignored because the playground usually occupies the exterior part of housing areas. The priority of housing design always focuses on the residential area locations.
This study and analysis done of the housing complexes located at Seocho-gu and Gangnam-gu in Seoul. The paper also surveyed the children who used the playground. Then, the play yard improvement plan was recommended with this research including the environmental assessment.
Five playing fields were chosen from the years 1980's, 1990's and 2000's, and from a total number of 15 playing fields that were studied. The case study is surveyed to be classified into six categories the location shape, the approach, the facilities, the material of the facilities, the floor and the plant states in the playground for children in each apartment complex.
The housing type can be categorized as central, exterior and seperated type of playgrounds. The research shows that the number of seperated and exterior type increased in the year 2000's.
The enclosed type, semi-open types and open types walls were all surveyed. Most playgrounds were semi-open types. The playing yards and numbers are evaluated in different years. The research concluded the playing field numbers were reduced and the amusement park numbers increased. Playgrounds built in the 1980's used iron, those built in the 1990's and this decade used lumber. Marble is also used in the construction of playgrounds.
As a result, about the utilization and satisfaction of the playground, results were calculated irrespective of sex, and most children interviewed age from 9 to 12.
The children like the playing fields because they can play with friends and they dislike them because the facilities are too simple. The play equipments are not developed enough for the children's creativity and physical growth. The survey also shows the play equipments need to be improved. The chilren wanted plants(38.2%), water-parks(22.2%) and more active equipments(17.6%). These results show that children want the place with plants and nature.
From the case study and survey results, totally safety is recorded as the highest priority, and function and creativity is recorded as the next most important things. The safety was evaluated highly in 1990's more than in and 2000's than 1980's. The reason is that the floor materials have changed, so the hazard rate has reduced. In the 1980's and 2000's, the survey also shows the various types of playing tool that help to increase the creativity development rate.
There problems are derived from this survey. The first is the choice of the floor materials which is need to be considered carefully, not by just choosing materials that are easy to maintain. they should choose the best material for children. The second is the risk based on location of places, the using of fences and materials in the aspect of safety. The third is the uniformity of the facility, the lack of the various spaces and so on.
This problem could be improved using the following things. In the creativity point of view, the suitable and various plants should be considered in the aspect of education, the view, the growth and he management. Also, from the management point of view, the floor materials should be selected using natural materials which can be touched and felt directly, and they need to consider having sand playgrounds. From the safety point of view, the playground must to be located away from the road. The enclosed types and semi-open types are recommended. From the functional point of view, the adventure type and complex type of playgrounds are recommended to support the children's various needs for activity. The experiencing field and rest areas will help to develop the children's creativity.
In this study there will be some difficulties between the other area and playgrounds in the park for children and the surveyed ones are restricted within Seocho-gu and Gangnam-gu in Seoul. Therefore it is necessary to study continuously and can only be achived by using the correct evation and improvement methods, and being concerned about the general playground environment