Development of methodologies for the evaluation of free and inclusive play areas – PARK RISK

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Designing play areas that are both safe for and attractive to children requires participatory and multidisciplinary processes that are yielding increasingly innovative proposals whose evaluation is more and more complex, taking into account the risk they represent versus the benefits they offer to children. The European standards in force in the field of children’s playgrounds only regulate the requirements and tests on defined and traditional equipment, such as play structures, slides, swings, see-saws, etc. These rules do not cover innovative proposals that allow children to play freely without the presence of an adult, taking risks and developing as individuals in a safe social environment, and enabling children to benefit from risky play.

What do we mean by beneficial risk? Risk in playgrounds is essential for children’s growth. Challenges allow them to learn and develop, as the decisions they must make as they play will lead them to succeed and/or fail, and this will help them to better manage the risks involved. This learning process will help them deal with stressful situations, learn how to keep on going, improve their social interaction skills, increase creativity, understand their limitations, etc. In addition, among other benefits, it also improves motor skills and a cognitive understanding of the environment.

Project results:

The challenges that the project pursues are:

– Development of a comprehensive methodological tool for the risk assessment of innovative children’s play spaces that ensure the creation of quality leisure environments which, in addition to guaranteeing their play value, do not present health risks.

Programme: A line from the Regional Government of Valencia (GVA) to strengthen the capacity and activity of AIJU to develop excellence in R&D, disseminate the results of the research carried out and facilitate and promote the transfer of knowledge to companies in the Valencian Community.

  • Start date: January 2018.
  • Duration: 12 months
  • Status: Completed

SECTORS OF APPLICATION

  • Leisure, tourism and sport

TECHNOLOGICAL AREAS

  • Competitive Intelligence

IVACE PROGRAMME:

  • Programme:  INDIVIDUAL R&D

CONTACT COORDINATOR:

 

Financed