An Interdisciplinary Approach to Co-Designing Safe School Zones Through Placemaking

Abstract

The research explored how social design might facilitate the creation of safe school zones for children with the tools of participatory placemaking focusing on their physical and mental well-being in an urban environment. The research applies both traditional (interviews, questionnaires, observations, etc.) and design research tools (problem mapping and participatory design workshops) together with quantitative speed measurement. The project was realised by an interdisciplinary team involving experts of urban mobility and traffic safety, child and environment psychology, pedagogy as well as policymakers. By involving students (aged 12-14) and their teachers into the research process, their insights were integrated into small-scale urban interventions, transforming school front areas into dedicated spaces, where they can gather, socialise and strengthen their connection towards each other and the school area. The implemented prototype proved to be an often used space and it offers transferable and scalable solutions for other school fronts in the city.