Children in their local everyday environment : child-led expeditions in Hammarby Sjöstad

Abstract: Children are the group of our society that spends most time in the local environment. Their local environment is therefore an important influencing factor on how they spend their outdoor leisure time. Researches have showed that the physical structure of environment can challenge children and support their rights and needs to develop both physically and mentally. For that reason it is important that children´s local everyday environment is designed and planned to support children in their daily activities. The aim of this project is to study how a newly developed city district is seen from a children’s perspective and to gain an understanding of preferred places within that area. Further, the findings are discussed in relation to how we can learn from children’s use and experience of their local environment and communicate that to planning practice. Hammarby Sjöstad in Stockholm City is used here as a case for the study at hand. To carry out the study, child-led expeditions were performed with children living in Hammarby Sjöstad. The study was aimed at children between nine and twelve years old. The main results indicate that children use their local everyday environment through activities and chose places that encourage their activities. Children find their own places within the district, even though it is not designed with them in mind. The preferred places challenge the children and influence their activities through physical structure.