Landscape Design as a Tool to Meet Children's Needs in Residual Urban Spaces

Abstract

Residual spaces are defined as a category of open spaces that exist in our urban context but are rarely considered by urban designers. They have other terminologies, such as leftovers, loose spaces, lost spaces, neglected spaces, and neglected urban land. However, residual spaces can be used to serve in community problem-solving such as children's needs in outdoor spaces. Using landscape design as a tool, residual spaces in an urban context can be used to consider children's activities and their different needs. In this sense, this paper highlights the main aspects of the two main factors of the study, which are the landscape design elements and components of residual spaces and the different types of child needs. This research explores the relationship between these two main factors and their components to define the most suitable landscape design elements that can respond to the different children's needs in outdoor spaces. To achieve this goal, the research proposes a matrix based on a literature review and analysis of two case studies, one international and another local, that combine the two main factors of the study, which are the landscape design elements and components of residual spaces, and several types of child needs. It also proposes an inferred matrix that comes from the main matrix, which will provide a tool that helps the landscape designers evaluate the projects oriented to the child and contribute with the main matrix to design better and more responsive outdoor spaces for children in the future. Keywords Residual Spaces, Children Needs, Landscape Design, Outdoor Spaces 1. Introduction Children deserve more attention in urban planning than what they are getting nowadays. Children and toddlers are not likely to raise their voices against the demand and attention to their needs. It is important to support more initiatives to help children enjoy their outdoor environment by considering their needs (psychological, functional, social, and aesthetic) concerning urban planning. According to Enrique Peñalosa, Mayor of Bogotá, Columbia (1998–2001, 2016–present), a specialist in urban and transportation policy, "If we can build a successful city for children, we will have a successful city for all people." One of the most important rights concerning children is the participation rights that entitle freedom of expression and participation in decision-making. These rights support children in taking an active role in society [1] by involving them in the design and considering their needs in the outdoor environment and urban planning, especially the design of outdoor spaces generally and residual spaces specifically using landscape design. While residual space with no activity or attendance is the most undesirable in recent years, numerous cities have seen a progressive loss