Children’s Independent Mobility in Urban Planning: Geospatial Technology with a Technical Approach and Citizens’ Listening

Abstract

This study proposes planning for children’s independent mobility through geoinformation technologies by listening to children. This research assumes that children’s values and expectations must be considered in city planning. A bibliographic review identified 15 indicators which make spaces safe and attractive for children to circulate and play. Thematic maps of the indicators were prepared and integrated by a multicriteria analysis by the weights of the evidence according to the hierarchical importance of each variable. The definition of the weights considered the opinions of the children and technicians. The consultation with children was carried out by mapping volunteers (VGI), a consultation on hierarchy, the geodesign of ideas for the area, and an artistic workshop. In the technical study, the query applied the Delphi method. It used the VGI—Volunteered Geographic Information—web-based platform, where children recorded places of topophilia and topophobia, while technicians mapped the presence of 15 indicators. The set of information was made available on a web-based platform called SDI—Spatial Data Infrastructure—in which there are resources for a geodesign workshop where ideas for the area were elaborated through negotiation and cocreation. The product is a transformational design for the area through urban design and the parameterization of its uses.

Keywords

• children’s independent mobility
• planning with children
• geoinformation technologies