Epsilon Archive for Student Projects

Abstract

In the last decades, socio-spatial fragmentation has become a growing problem in the
urban environment. This thesis aims to offer
knowledge on how a child-centered spatial approach, termed Childifying, can help overcome
socio-spatial fragmentation. Childifying is formulated by making a strategy and site-specific
design for urban open space transformation in
the neighborhood of Southern Friedrichstadt
in Berlin. The term Childifying means to make
the urban environment more child friendly
and less fragmented. Methods used for building knowledge and developing the approach
were literature study and site reading. The
landscape research method traveling transect
was the methodological framework for the site
reading and included on site interviews, on site
exploration and literature and archive studies.
Planning and policy scenarios promoting safer
mobility, play, exercise and outdoor education
are recommended. The site-specific design
scenarios propose connecting the neighborhood schools to inside and outside areas of
opportunities that can be temporary classrooms for the children. There, children from
different schools meet and get to know each
other, making the schools and the community
more connected. Scenarios also propose safer
routes for children by making car-free and
shared streets, implementing a children's boulevard and a web of play and exercise stations.
Different types of child-centered events for the
neighborhood are also proposed. To Childify
Southern Friedrichstadt is a transferable planning and design approach that can be adapted
to other urban sites dealing with socio-spatial
fragmentation.
*childifying means making urban environment
more child friendly in the same way as densifying means more dense. And through that less
socio-spatial fragmented.