Interpretations of Urban Child-Friendliness: A Comparative Study of Two Neighborhoods in Helsinki and Rome

Lotta Haikkola
Department of Sociology
University of Helsinki
Helsinki, Finland

Maria Giuseppina Pacilli
Psychology Department
Sapienza, University of Rome

Liisa Horelli
Helsinki University of Technology
Helsinki, Finland

Miretta Prezza
Psychology Department
Sapienza, University of Rome

Citation: Haikkola, Lotta, Maria Giuseppina Pacilli, Liisa Horelli and Miretta Prezza (2007). "Interpretations of Urban Child-Friendliness: A Comparative Study of Two Neighborhoods in Helsinki and Rome." Children, Youth and Environments 17 (4): 319-351. Retrieved [date] from http://www.colorado.edu/journals/cye/

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Abstract

The aim of this article is to present the results of an assessment and comparison of urban child-friendliness conducted in two similar suburban neighborhoods in Helsinki and Rome. We explore the interpretations of 11 and 12-year-old children, their mothers or fathers, elderly people and professionals in the two cultures, which have different styles of urban planning. We argue that it is necessary to apply concepts that do not insulate children and adults into isolated environments. Therefore, we also test the theoretical framework of environmental child- friendliness (ECF), by analyzing how our participants’ interpretations contribute to the ten dimensions of ECF.

Keywords: environmental child-friendliness, comparative research, Helsinki, Rome, environmental assessment