The Social Value of Urban Parks and their Connection to Community Child Well-being: Focusing on children's centers

This study explores how urban parks in Seoul contribute to child well-being, particularly through their connection to childcare centers. Researchers conducted in-depth interviews and qualitative surveys with staff at childcare facilities adjacent to urban parks. Childcare teachers emphasized that parks should be designed to support children's physical, mental, language, social, and mathematical development through ecological education and nature experiences. The research proposes directions for how urban parks can better serve community child welfare.

Key points

• Urban parks are valued not just for aesthetics but for their contribution to child health, safety, and welfare
• Childcare teachers identified ecological education and nature experiences as important for children's holistic development
• Parks adjacent to childcare facilities offer opportunities for integrated environmental learning and child development
• The study emphasizes the need for academic research on the relationship between urban parks and community child welfare
• Policy recommendations are proposed for better coordination between urban park development and child welfare services

Limitations

The study relied on qualitative data from childcare staff interviews and did not use quantitative data, big data, or government-collected data on urban parks. The research is based on selected cases in Seoul and may not generalize to other cities or contexts.