Growing Up in a Danger Zone: How Modernization Efforts Can Improve the Environment of Childhood in Public Housing

Clare Cooper Marcus
Carolyn Francis
Department of Landscape Architecture
University of California, Berkeley

Citation: Cooper Marcus, Clare and Carolyn Francis (1995). "Growing Up in a Danger Zone: How Modernization Efforts Can Improve the Environment of Childhood in Public Housing." Children's Environments 12 (1): 85-99. Retrieved [date] from http://www.colorado.edu/journals/cye/

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Abstract

The importance of outdoor play settings close to home in low-income public housing is discussed. Several examples of successful site-planning for children's needs are described and analyzed. Two current public housing rehabilitation proposals are presented but in terms of how they will potentially thwart crime, and how they will provide improved opportunities for children's play. Inappropriate and potentially harmful design and management policies regarding children are discussed, and possible negative consequences to children's development are suggested.

Keywords: children, crime, housing rehabilitation, public housing, site planning