Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
1 PhD Candidate in Geography and Urban Planning, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran
2 Professor, Geography and Urban Planning, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran
3 Assistant Professor of Geography and Urban Planning, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran
Abstract
With the global surge of urbanization and population growth, the well-being of children within modern urban developments has been largely overlooked, necessitating an urgent need for attentiveness towards their needs in cities. Consequently, the assessment of urban neighborhoods in terms of child-friendly city components becomes an essential area of research. This study employs a survey method to evaluate the dimensions and components associated with a child-friendly city. Utilizing a cluster-spatial sampling approach, ten neighborhoods from five regions of Ardabil are selected as representative samples (two neighborhoods per region). A total of 400 researcher-developed questionnaires are then distributed proportionally based on the population of each selected neighborhood. The collected data is subsequently analyzed using one-sample t-statistics in SPSS software, as well as multi-criteria decision-making models to prioritize the neighborhoods according to the research criteria. The findings reveal distinctive characteristics of child-friendly city dimensions and components across the various neighborhoods of Ardabil. Interestingly, when comparing the dimensions, the environmental-physical and organizational-managerial dimensions emerge as the most problematic areas within the studied neighborhoods. Additionally, it is noteworthy that despite the inherent spatial disparities between neighborhoods, Neighborhood No. 1 in District 4 and Neighborhood No. 3 in District 2 of Ardabil Municipality exhibit greater challenges compared to other neighborhoods under investigation.
Introduction
With the rapid global urbanization and population growth, the well-being of children has been largely overlooked in modern urban planning and development. Consequently, there is a pressing need to prioritize the consideration of children in urban environments like never before. Thus, it becomes imperative to conduct an in-depth investigation into the state of neighborhoods within the city of Ardabil, specifically in relation to the key indicators and criteria of a child-friendly city. This study aims to assess and prioritize the neighborhoods based on their adherence to these criteria, aiming to provide an accurate depiction of their current state and identify those in most need of improvement.
To address the research inquiries and establish a logical framework, the following assumptions were formulated:
- The nature of the components that contribute to a child-friendly city varies across different localities within Ardabil city. Of these components, the dimensions pertaining to physical and management are anticipated to pose the greatest challenges in the investigated areas, as evident from comparative examination.
-The ranking of different neighborhoods of Ardabil city are different in terms of the components of a child-friendly city.
Literature Review
Permanasari et al. (2019) conducted a study entitled "Political pattern of public space in creating a child-friendly city in Jakarta," which emphasizes the significance of employing a bottom-up participatory approach in fostering heightened utilization and engagement among children.
In their research titled "Child-friendly city survey focusing on children's health," Brown et al. (2019) underscore the influence of the environment on children's well-being. Accordingly, they assert the necessity for cities to possess comprehensive knowledge concerning the factors that impact children's health. Furthermore, it is imperative to prioritize understanding and promoting interactions between children and their environment, thereby enhancing their overall health.
Examining the role of child-friendly urban structures in neighborhood development, Ahmadi et al. (2018) present their findings in an article entitled "Evaluation of the role of child-friendly city structure in the realization of development: case study of neighborhoods in Yazd city." Their research demonstrates significant variation in child-friendly city indicators within Yazd city, with certain neighborhoods exhibiting a high level of prosperity while others languish at a considerably lower level. Safaiyeh neighborhood emerges as the most prosperous, securing the top rank in the city. Conversely, Fahadan, Mahdiabad, Sajjadiyeh, Amirabad, and Kashtargah neighborhoods are positioned at the bottom, highlighting their limited prosperity.
In their study on "Evaluation of child-friendly city indicators in Mashhad metropolis," Kharazmi et al. (2019) reveal the impact of these indicators and discern a discrepancy between the current state and the desired outcomes. The analysis uncovers a significant gap concerning access to play areas, green spaces, and vital services, suggesting the need for noteworthy improvements in these localized indicators within the context of Mashhad.
Methodology
The present study adopts an applied research design with a descriptive-analytical nature. Spatial cluster sampling was employed to randomly select 10 neighborhoods, comprising two neighborhoods from each of the five regions in Ardabil city, to serve as the sample. The target population for this research consists of households with children residing in the selected neighborhoods. To determine the appropriate sample size for the questionnaire, Cochran's statistical population formula was utilized, considering a 95% confidence level. As a result, 380 households were initially determined; however, to ensure increased accuracy, the sample size was expanded to 400 households. The distribution of the questionnaire was proportional to the number of households in each neighborhood. The evaluation of the problematic conditions of Ardabil city's neighborhoods regarding the components of a child-friendly city was conducted using the t-test. Subsequently, in the Excel environment, various multi-criteria decision-making models, including Topsis, Vicor, Electre, and Copeland integration model, were employed to rank the ten selected neighborhoods from the five regions of Ardabil city based on their problematic status in relation to the components of a child-friendly city. The selection of weights for the criteria was determined using Shannon's entropy method.
Results
The findings indicate significant variations among the localities within Ardabil city concerning the identified issues. Upon comparing the dimensions, it was observed that the organizational-management and environmental-physical dimensions exhibited the highest frequency of confirmation, thus suggesting their prominence as the most problematic dimensions across the studied localities. Moreover, employing multi-criteria decision-making models unveiled that Neighborhood No. 1 in Region 4 of Ardabil Municipality exhibited the highest number of neighborhood issues, primarily associated with concerns related to environmental-physical, cultural-social, and organizational-management aspects. On the other hand, Neighborhood No. 10 in Region 2 of Ardabil Municipality showcased the lowest number of neighborhood issues when compared to the other localities. It is essential to note that the localities examined in this research were selected based on their adherence to the dimensions and components of a child-friendly city.
Conclusion
One of the fundamental factors contributing to the spatial differentiation of localities, as evidenced by research indicators, is social and occupational inequality, which leads to unequal social and structural positions. This inequality in turn influences the access individuals and groups have to scarce social resources and benefits, including wealth, power, and status. Consequently, these factors significantly impact individuals' rights, opportunities, rewards, and social standing. Given the interconnectedness between social and spatial processes, this issue within Ardabil city exacerbates disparities in accessing urban services, opportunities, and amenities, particularly for children. These include aspects such as transportation and independent mobility, access to diverse services and activities, safety and security, friendly green spaces, and environmental concerns. Therefore, addressing social inequalities and enhancing urban infrastructure and facilities constitute crucial steps towards creating a child-friendly city.
Furthermore, based on the authors' personal experiences and feedback from residents residing in localities with a higher prevalence of neighborhood issues, it becomes evident that urban management, particularly the municipality, plays a significant role in the environmental and physical realms. Through wielding influence and exerting power over other involved institutions, the municipality has had a notable impact on the problems faced by such neighborhoods. This influence stems from the limited awareness and economic poverty experienced by neighborhood residents, as well as the functional shortcomings of local institutions. Consequently, existing policies geared towards the development of socially, economically, and physically deprived populations – who predominantly reside in the most problematic areas identified in this study – have been ineffective. Instead, the current conditions have created a situation where high-income groups benefit disproportionately from the existing state of affairs. The lack of specific plans and programs targeting these problem areas, coupled with the failure to delegate approved plans for implementation at lower levels (such as regional municipalities), has exacerbated inequalities between localities. Hence, adopting a justice-oriented perspective in urban management is paramount. By doing so, attention can be directed towards improving conditions in deprived and problematic areas, thereby working towards a more equitable urban landscape.
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