Play, Work, and Rest
The Developmental Affordances of Designated Child-Friendly Public Spaces in Jakarta, Indonesia
Keywords:
developmental affordances, child-friendly cities, children's participation, Jakarta, Indonesia, competenceAbstract
To understand how public spaces might support children’s development, this study explored the activities and experiences of children (6-12 years) in two designated Child-Friendly Integrated Public Spaces (Ruang Publik Terpadu Ramah Anak, or RPTRAs) in low-income neighborhoods in Jakarta, Indonesia. Thirty-four children participated in interviews, drawing activities, observations, and child-led tours. Reflexive thematic analysis identified play, work, and rest as ways in which children use RPTRA sites for activities that afford their sense of competence. This study contributes to the use of a developmental-affordances framework to explore children’s experiences in public space, which can inform urban design practices that promote the psychosocial development of children from low-income families.
