Junior Primary Greek School Pupils’ Perceptions of the City’s Public Open Spaces and Especially of the Urban Square: A Case Study

Year 2016, Volume: 6 Issue: 1, 49 - 66, 30.04.2016

Nikoletta Papageorgıou Apostolia Galanı Evangelia Mavrıkakı

Abstract

This work - part of a wider project aimed at engaging first year primary school pupils in public open-space
design - explores the perceptions of junior primary school children as to the urban square. Data collection
tools comprised semi-structured interviews, sketches and storytelling via puppet-animation. Our findings
have shown that - according to the perceptions of the children - the square displays the advantages and
disadvantages of public open spaces both structurally and in terms of its layout, while its functions are
linked to children’s play, leisure, events and socialization. Factors that adversely affect visits to public
squares include delinquency, xenophobia, limited space and poor design. 

Keywords

Geography, Environmental Education, Pupils’ Perceptions, City Square, City Planning

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