ABSTRACT
Convention on the Rights of the Child (Hart,
1997). (Figure 10.1).
The everyday environment inhabited by children
is increasingly highlighted as an important
contributor to their social development and
general health and well-being (Thomas and
Thompson, 2004). In a recent report the
Department of Transport, Local Government and
the Regions describes such settings as being
composed of incidental spaces, the mundane
parts of the outdoor environment that are often
overlooked or may even attract attention for being
derelict and unsightly (DTLR, 2002, p.47). The
DLTR consider these to be a national asset, yet
evidence suggests that there remains a significant
loss of connection between children and such
outdoor settings and that this may have long-term
implications. Ken Worpole, author and commen-
tator on open space and social issues, has
recently raised the profile of this by synthesising
current government and community initiatives in
this field. He places the importance of providing
for, and giving voice to, children in policy, plan-
ning, design and management of public open
space firmly within the Urban Renaissance
agenda. His report, no particular place to
go?”…seeks to make clear that planning for play,
and the need to create safe street networks and
spaces for young people and children, is a pre-
condition of a healthy community life and
‘liveability’” (Worpole, 2003, p.4). Three issues
appear to emerge from this aspiration especially
prominently.
