Children's drawings as research tool : establishing children's environmental concepts and preferences with reference to urban open space planning and design in Johore Bahru, Malaysia.

摘要

The aim of this research is to investigate meanings and concepts of children's drawings fromudcultural and gender perspectives using appropriate qualitative techniques and methods forudinterpreting drawing. This thesis discusses how children's concepts and preferences mayuddiffer from adults' thinking and planning. The study starts with a discussion of various issuesudof relating to children and urban planning and design in Johore Bahru, Malaysia. This isudfollowed by a review of the psychology of children's drawings; the use of children's drawingsudin environmental research; the provision for and children's use of urban environments, andudthe state of Johore Bahru's urban environmental planning. Through the literature review,udthis research studies "Western" models from interdisciplinary perspectives. The children'suddrawings were used as a research tool to reveal their concepts of home landscape andudactivities they preferred in an ideal residential neighbourhood environment. Data fromudquestionnaires and essays were used to check evidence found in drawings. In all, 114udMalay, Chinese and Indian children from seven primary schools in urban Johore Bahruudcompleted the tasks. The findings of qualitative content analysis and interpretation ofuddrawings showed similarities and differences across cultures and genders in environmentaludconcepts and preferences which may indicate shortcomings in current urban planning.udChildren's drawings provide valuable information on the development of children'sudenvironmental concepts and preferences of ideal home landscape. The concepts areudrepresented in the form of diverse, safe, colourful and accessible naturalistic environmentsudfor exploration, learning, play and socialising with peers. This finding will help future researchudprojects by providing information indicating issues and problems in provision of openudspaces within the urban planning system. The thesis concludes with a critical commentaryudon the likely use of children's drawing as research tool, children's environmental needs andudpreferences, together with the possibility of child participation in decision making, planningudand design process within the urban planning system in Malaysia.