Thesis & Dissertations

Children's access to play spaces has long been considered an essential right, enabling them to shape their physical environment and engage in cognitive exploration. However, contemporary urban environments, particularly in low-income areas, grapple with a significant lack of open spaces. Scattered spaces often remain unused and unsafe, becoming repositories for discarded items such as old tanks and car parts, giving rise to a range of negative issues. This situation has disproportionately affected society, especially young individuals, exposing them to various social ills and jeopardizing their well-being and behavior. This dissertation endeavors to address these challenges by proposing and advocating for suitable and viable children's play areas within low-income communities. It employs an analytical case study of a low-income population that faces a scarcity of secure play spaces amidst residential structures. The study illustrates how responsible organizations can identify and implement effective solutions to address this pressing social concern. The central focus of this dissertation lies in outlining the principles for establishing safe play areas that are inclusive and free from gender discrimination. A specific case study is presented to examine the real-life scenario within this specific region and offer remedies. Furthermore, this research contends that the low-income population residing in high-density urban settings has the potential to create appropriate public spaces and recreational spaces for children. These initiatives could contribute to improved social relationships and the enhancement of children's physical environments. Utilizing a field survey methodology, innovative tools by using Minecraft tools, the dissertation investigates the conditions of two case study areas in Lebanon: the Mar Elias refugee camp and El-Tabbaneh's region. The study employs relevant parameters and criteria to evaluate these case studies comprehensively. Through its research, this study sheds light on the challenges faced by the low-income residents and children of Mar Elias and El Tabbaneh. Ultimately, it concludes with a series of ideas and guidelines aimed at enhancing the overall quality of life and updating outdoor play spaces for the betterment of these communities.