Page 133 - JCAU-7-3

Journal of Chinese
Architecture and Urbanism Culture & play in Xi’an’s parks: 7Cs evaluation

academic research and practical implementation (Guan, To address these issues and systematically evaluate the
2021; He, 2020; Wu, 2021). design performance of children’s play spaces in heritage
China’s rapid urbanization and increasing policy parks, this study adopts the 7Cs framework as the core
support have led to a proliferation of children’s play evaluation tool (Table 1). Developed by Susan Herrington
and her research team, the 7Cs framework is grounded in
spaces, drawing greater attention to their design quality environmental psychology, child development theories,
(Fang, 2020; Wang, 2022; Yang & Dong, 2021). Notably, and landscape design principles. It emphasizes how spatial
the Chinese government’s Guidelines on Promoting design can support children’s physical, cognitive, and
the Construction of Child-Friendly Cities (2021) set a social development (Herrington & Lesmeister, 2006). As
goal of establishing 100 child-friendly city pilot projects a multidimensional evaluation system, the 7Cs framework
nationwide by 2025, underscoring the significance of play has been widely applied in child-friendly environment
spaces in public space design. research and practice (Herrington & Brussoni, 2015).

As a fundamental aspect of modern urban spaces (Chen, Compared to other evaluation frameworks, such as
2022), children’s play spaces are widely recognized for the Play Value Framework (Hyder, 2004) and Affordance
their role in fostering physical, cognitive, emotional, and Theory (Heft, 1988), which primarily focus on play
social development (Lee et al., 2023; Gemmell et al., 2023). activities and user perception, the 7Cs framework offers
Well-designed play environments encourage creativity, a systematic and flexible approach that integrates cultural,
enhance social interactions, and contribute to both mental environmental, and functional aspects. One of its key
and physical well-being (Gray et al., 2015; He, 2020; Shu advantages is its comprehensiveness and adaptability – it
et al., 2022). However, in many rapidly urbanizing areas, assesses not only the physical attributes of spatial design
play space design continues to struggle with functional but also incorporates cultural context and user needs,
monotony and a lack of cultural integration (Chen, 2022; enabling a holistic evaluation of functionality, cultural
Slingerland et al., 2020; UNICEF, 2018; Wang, 2021). This significance, and interactivity in play spaces.
issue is particularly evident in culturally rich cities, where
balancing contemporary needs with traditional elements Table 1. Implications of the 7Cs dimensions
remains a pressing challenge.
Dimension (C) Implication
Heritage parks serve as public open spaces shaped by Character Emphasizes the overall characteristics and design
historical and cultural contexts, aiming to balance cultural intent of the play space, supporting children’s
preservation with modern functional demands (UNESCO, memory and cognitive development through its
2016). These parks not only showcase and transmit cultural uniqueness.
heritage but also function as recreational, entertainment, Context Examines the connection between the play space
and social interaction spaces for urban residents (Chiesura, and its surrounding environment as well as its
position within the broader ecosystem, ensuring the
2004; Fan & Chen, 2024; Jiang, 2024). Consequently, the design adapts to microclimates and surrounding
design of heritage parks must strike a balance between conditions.
cultural authenticity and modern usability, ensuring Connectivity Focuses on physical and visual connections within
accessibility, interactivity, and playability while maintaining the play space and its surrounding areas, enhancing
cultural transmission (Chiesura, 2004). children’s spatial awareness and exploratory
behaviors.
Existing research indicates that traditional heritage parks Change Provides dynamic materials and environments,
often emphasize static cultural displays, such as historical allowing children to experience the passage of time
sculptures, interpretive plaques, and reconstructed and seasonal changes, supporting creativity and
architecture, while lacking dynamic and interactive self-exploration.
experiences—making it difficult for users to engage deeply Chance Offers open and flexible environments, enabling
with these spaces (Jiang, 2024). Conversely, modern children to create unique play experiences based on
urban parks prioritize multifunctionality and accessibility, their imagination and needs.
sometimes at the expense of cultural atmosphere and Clarity Ensures that the physical structure and
authenticity (Wang, 2022). The central challenge in visual information of the space are clear and
comprehensible, facilitating children’s recognition
designing children’s play spaces within heritage parks, and navigation while enhancing their sense of safety
therefore, lies in integrating cultural preservation with and autonomy.
contemporary recreational needs, creating environments Challenge Provides appropriate physical and cognitive
where children can actively engage with history through challenges, fostering children’s adventurous spirit and
immersive and exploratory play experiences. problem-solving abilities.

Volume 7 Issue 3 (2025) 2 https://doi.org/10.36922/jcau.8296