Application of Child-Friendly City Indicators in Neighborhood Design to Address Segregation: A Case Study of West Sheikh Tusi Neighborhood, District 10, Isfahan Municipality

Subject Areas : Sociology, social sciences and economics

Seyed Ahmad Hoseyninia ¹ , Nastaran Khoshabi ^{2 *}

1 - PhD in Urban Planning, Senior Advisor to the Deputy of Planning and Human Capital Development, Isfahan Municipality
2 - Master's in Urban Design, Lecturer at Shahid Ashrafi Esfahani University, (Corresponding Author)

Received: 2024-03-12 Accepted : 2024-05-17 Published : 2024-08-31

Keywords: Child Friendly City, Segregation, Neighborhood, Sheikh Tusi, Isfahan,

Abstract :

One of the key issues raised by the concept of a Child-Friendly City is the provision of children's rights and recognizing their place within the city. The concept emphasizes that children, as both current and future citizens, have the right to access all urban amenities and services and to grow in a safe and sustainable environment. However, one of the significant challenges in this regard is the issue of segregation, which has been exacerbated by various urbanization trends.Segregation refers to the separation and distinction of different social, cultural, and economic groups within urban spaces. Today, this issue has been increasingly influenced by factors such as spatial and environmental poverty, as well as ethnic, racial, religious, economic, and cultural differences. These influences have led to the creation of neighborhoods with minimal diversity and social interaction. Such conditions are particularly harmful to children, who require diverse and dynamic environments for their growth and learning.The present study aims to apply the indicators of a Child-Friendly City in neighborhood design to mitigate segregation, focusing on the Sheikh Toosi Gharbi neighborhood in District 10 of Isfahan Municipality. The research seeks to design urban spaces that are socially and culturally diverse and inclusive, thereby contributing to the reduction of segregation.To achieve this goal, the concepts of a Child-Friendly City and segregation were first examined, and the key indicators related to them were identified. These indicators were then analyzed within a theoretical framework to determine their interconnections and interactions. The research method combines both quantitative and qualitative approaches. In this context, Z-score, Moran’s I, and Hotspot Analysis were employed to analyze and assess three variables: education, health, and unemployment at the regional and neighborhood levels.This study demonstrates that applying Child-Friendly City indicators in the design of urban neighborhoods can effectively reduce segregation and enhance social cohesion. This approach not only improves the quality of life for children but also benefits the entire urban community

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