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Children’s independent mobility after dark

Litsmark, Anna LU (2021) PhD Conference on Sustainable Development
Abstract
The freedom for children to autonomously move and play in their neighborhood, i.e. their independent mobility, has implications for their health, wellbeing and development. How children and parents experience the outdoor environment is vital to children’s independent mobility. Well-lit outdoor environments are, among adults, associated with perceived visual accessibility, safety, and walking. However, few studies focus on children’s needs and experiences. This literature review aims to examine the peer-reviewed scientific literature, which has, until now, analysed the associations between children’s independent mobility and light and darkness. By formulating a Boolean search string, including terms related to children, independent... (More)
The freedom for children to autonomously move and play in their neighborhood, i.e. their independent mobility, has implications for their health, wellbeing and development. How children and parents experience the outdoor environment is vital to children’s independent mobility. Well-lit outdoor environments are, among adults, associated with perceived visual accessibility, safety, and walking. However, few studies focus on children’s needs and experiences. This literature review aims to examine the peer-reviewed scientific literature, which has, until now, analysed the associations between children’s independent mobility and light and darkness. By formulating a Boolean search string, including terms related to children, independent mobility, lighting, and outdoor environment, scientific databases were searched. The search resulted in 61 eligible studies that can be divided into two main themes: 1) natural light and darkness and 2) the quality or presence of artificial lighting. Results show that lighting conditions can support or hinder children’s independent mobility by impacting perceived security and safety, route choices, physical activity, and place connectivity. By highlighting the child perspective, valuable knowledge is obtained to implement the Agenda 2030 of ensuring healthy lives and promoting wellbeing for all at all ages (Goal 3), and making cities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable (Goal 11). (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to conference
publication status
published
subject
conference name
PhD Conference on Sustainable Development
conference location
Lund, Sweden
conference dates
2021-09-30 - 2021-10-01
project
Barnperspektiv på belysning längs gång- och cykelvägar
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
eddaa348-02f1-4178-834b-260b51a9f5dc
date added to LUP
2021-10-04 10:30:12
date last changed
2022-11-15 13:31:04
@misc{eddaa348-02f1-4178-834b-260b51a9f5dc,
  abstract     = {{The freedom for children to autonomously move and play in their neighborhood, i.e. their independent mobility, has implications for their health, wellbeing and development. How children and parents experience the outdoor environment is vital to children’s independent mobility. Well-lit outdoor environments are, among adults, associated with perceived visual accessibility, safety, and walking. However, few studies focus on children’s needs and experiences. This literature review aims to examine the peer-reviewed scientific literature, which has, until now, analysed the associations between children’s independent mobility and light and darkness. By formulating a Boolean search string, including terms related to children, independent mobility, lighting, and outdoor environment, scientific databases were searched. The search resulted in 61 eligible studies that can be divided into two main themes: 1) natural light and darkness and 2) the quality or presence of artificial lighting. Results show that lighting conditions can support or hinder children’s independent mobility by impacting perceived security and safety, route choices, physical activity, and place connectivity. By highlighting the child perspective, valuable knowledge is obtained to implement the Agenda 2030 of ensuring healthy lives and promoting wellbeing for all at all ages (Goal 3), and making cities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable (Goal 11).}},
  author       = {{Litsmark, Anna}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  month        = {{10}},
  title        = {{Children’s independent mobility after dark}},
  year         = {{2021}},
}