Investigating the Built Environment of Damascus Traditional City as a Child Friendly Built Environment


Abstract in English

A child friendly city is a city, or any local system of governance, committed to fulfilling children‘s rights. It is a city where the voices, needs, priorities and rights of children are an integral part of public policies, programs and decisions. As a result, it is a city that is fit for all. Today, Damascus city rate poorly in terms of the child friendly status. Due to modern planning and zoning practices, planning for the car and uncontrolled growth, children of Damascus are growing up unhealthy, obese and depressed. This research reviews the studies done on the built environment that is convenient for the child‘s physical, mental and social health and safety. For the purpose of this research, 64 children (28 girls and 36 boys) aged between 10-14 years, along with their parents were interviewed and asked to describe their perception and experience of the built environment of the New City of Damascus to meet their needs. Then, the research analyses and evaluates the Traditional Damascus Built Environment in order to consider key planning and designing factors that could be learnt through looking at the way the Traditional Built Environment providing for children‘s needs, and using this as the blueprint for designing child friendly neighborhoods of new and damaged neighborhood of Damascus City.

References used

ABU-LUJOUD, J. The Islamic City: Historic Myth, Islamic Essence, and Contemporary Relevance. Urban Development in the Muslim World, Center for Urban Policy Research, New Brunswick, NJ, 1993, 11-36
ATLAS OF DAMASCUS. Integrated Conservation and Development Plan for Damascus Old City. Ministry of Local Administration and the Municipal Administration Modernization Program, Damascus, 2011
BARTLETT, S. Urban Children and the Physical Environment, Better Cities with Children and Youth. Presented by Growing Up in Cities, 2005. http://www.araburban.org/childcity/Papers/English/Sheridan%20Barlett.pdf, accessed on 10/9/2007

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