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Play biotopes put into practice - Creating synergies between children and nature

Hedblom, Marcus ; Mårtensson, Fredrika ; Sang, Åsa Ode ; Wiström, Björn and Litsmark, Anna LU (2024) In People and Nature
Abstract
Global urbanisation reduces greenery and species richness (biodiversity) and limits opportunities for most children to gain experiences of nature. Disconnecting children from nature has implications for their play, health, well-being, and comprehension of ecological systems, as well as their engagement with the environment as adults.
In the competition for land for built infrastructure, the preservation of remaining greenery is essential to fulfill multiple functions. One way forward is to look for synergies between conservation of biodiversity and children's need for outdoor environments of high quality.
In this paper, we synthesize the existing literature on how to understand the many interfaces between children and nature,... (More)
Global urbanisation reduces greenery and species richness (biodiversity) and limits opportunities for most children to gain experiences of nature. Disconnecting children from nature has implications for their play, health, well-being, and comprehension of ecological systems, as well as their engagement with the environment as adults.
In the competition for land for built infrastructure, the preservation of remaining greenery is essential to fulfill multiple functions. One way forward is to look for synergies between conservation of biodiversity and children's need for outdoor environments of high quality.
In this paper, we synthesize the existing literature on how to understand the many interfaces between children and nature, suggesting perspectives and tools for the management and design of nature-based play settings. We frame this transdisciplinary perspective using ‘play biotopes‘, as a conceptual framework in which both children's play and species are taken into account.
We exemplify how the play biotope framework can be put into practice as part of (1) an overall approach to landscapes made more useful to both children and other species, (2) affordances for play in nature such as branches from dead wood, and (3) a design process of a playground by giving input to nature-based solutions.
A conclusion is that play biotopes as a conceptual framework within nature-based solutions can help increase play and biodiversity by promoting structures for climbing, making huts and biotopes otherwise overlooked in urban planning. (Less)
Abstract (Swedish)
1. Global urbanisation reduces greenery and species richness (biodiversity) and limits opportunities for most children to gain experiences of nature. Disconnecting children from nature has implications for their play, health, well-being, and comprehension of ecological systems, as well as their engagement with the environment as adults.
2. In the competition for land for built infrastructure, the preservation of remaining greenery is essential to fulfill multiple functions. One way forward is to look for synergies between conservation of biodiversity and children's need for outdoor environments of high quality.
3. In this paper, we synthesize the existing literature on how to understand the many interfaces between children and... (More)
1. Global urbanisation reduces greenery and species richness (biodiversity) and limits opportunities for most children to gain experiences of nature. Disconnecting children from nature has implications for their play, health, well-being, and comprehension of ecological systems, as well as their engagement with the environment as adults.
2. In the competition for land for built infrastructure, the preservation of remaining greenery is essential to fulfill multiple functions. One way forward is to look for synergies between conservation of biodiversity and children's need for outdoor environments of high quality.
3. In this paper, we synthesize the existing literature on how to understand the many interfaces between children and nature, suggesting perspectives and tools for the management and design of nature-based play settings. We frame this transdisciplinary perspective using ‘play biotopes‘, as a conceptual framework in which both children's play and species are taken into account.
4. We exemplify how the play biotope framework can be put into practice as part of (1) an overall approach to landscapes made more useful to both children and other species, (2) affordances for play in nature such as branches from dead wood, and (3) a design process of a playground by giving input to nature-based solutions.
5. A conclusion is that play biotopes as a conceptual framework within nature-based solutions can help increase play and biodiversity by promoting structures for climbing, making huts and biotopes otherwise overlooked in urban planning. (Less)
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author
; ; ; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
in
People and Nature
publisher
Wiley-Blackwell
external identifiers
  • scopus:85200516560
ISSN
2575-8314
DOI
10.1002/pan3.10708
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
588e41c1-fb99-4e08-91cb-b284547fab1c
date added to LUP
2024-08-12 09:16:20
date last changed
2024-08-13 04:02:59
@article{588e41c1-fb99-4e08-91cb-b284547fab1c,
  abstract     = {{Global urbanisation reduces greenery and species richness (biodiversity) and limits opportunities for most children to gain experiences of nature. Disconnecting children from nature has implications for their play, health, well-being, and comprehension of ecological systems, as well as their engagement with the environment as adults.<br/>In the competition for land for built infrastructure, the preservation of remaining greenery is essential to fulfill multiple functions. One way forward is to look for synergies between conservation of biodiversity and children's need for outdoor environments of high quality.<br/>In this paper, we synthesize the existing literature on how to understand the many interfaces between children and nature, suggesting perspectives and tools for the management and design of nature-based play settings. We frame this transdisciplinary perspective using ‘play biotopes‘, as a conceptual framework in which both children's play and species are taken into account.<br/>We exemplify how the play biotope framework can be put into practice as part of (1) an overall approach to landscapes made more useful to both children and other species, (2) affordances for play in nature such as branches from dead wood, and (3) a design process of a playground by giving input to nature-based solutions.<br/>A conclusion is that play biotopes as a conceptual framework within nature-based solutions can help increase play and biodiversity by promoting structures for climbing, making huts and biotopes otherwise overlooked in urban planning.}},
  author       = {{Hedblom, Marcus and Mårtensson, Fredrika and Sang, Åsa Ode and Wiström, Björn and Litsmark, Anna}},
  issn         = {{2575-8314}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  month        = {{08}},
  publisher    = {{Wiley-Blackwell}},
  series       = {{People and Nature}},
  title        = {{Play biotopes put into practice - Creating synergies between children and nature}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/pan3.10708}},
  doi          = {{10.1002/pan3.10708}},
  year         = {{2024}},
}