Exploring color planning strategies for children’s outdoor playgrounds in communities: An analysis of children’s diverse preferences in Shanghai, China

Abstract

Children's understanding of the world is largely shaped by their visual perception of their surroundings, with color playing an integral role. Color not only creates a visual impact but also has a profound influence on children's emotions, cognition, and behavior. Moreover, children's perceptions and preferences of colors are not static; they evolve and change as children grow and mature. This dynamic nature of color perception underscores the importance of appropriate color planning in creating environments for children. If carefully chosen, colors can contribute to a harmonious and healthy environment that is conducive to children's growth and development. Conversely, inappropriate color choices may inadvertently cause stress, potentially inhibiting healthy growth and development in children. The community, being the fundamental unit of the city, holds a significant place in children's daily life. It is not only the space closest to children's daily activities but also serves as an important entry point for the construction of a child-friendly city. In particular, children's outdoor playgrounds are exclusive spaces for children, and their planning and design are crucial in building child-friendly communities. However, the current research on color planning in this field is relatively limited, lacking in quantitative, evidence-based research and systematic planning methods that take into account the children's color preferences.

To address this gap, our research explored color planning strategies for children’s outdoor playgrounds in communities, specifically focusing on children’s color preferences. We collected data through a questionnaire survey conducted in Shanghai, China, and employed the chi-square test to analyze individual attributes of color preference, including sex, age, and community type, which we hypothesized could influence the diversity of children’s color preferences. Our study found significant differences in the color preferences of children with different ages and community types. For instance, as children age, their preference for colorful, vibrant colors decreases, and their preference for warmer colors increases. Moreover, we found that primary school students aged 7-12 preferred cool colors more than children of other ages. When we looked at community types, children living in lane communities showed a greater preference for colorful, vibrant colors compared to other types, while children in public housing communities were more likely to choose warm colors.

Based on these findings, we propose several strategies for color planning in children's outdoor playgrounds in the community. For example, playgrounds should add color-zoned based on age and facility function zoning. Additionally, the colors of children's playgrounds in different communities should be differentiated according to the color preferences of local children. Through these strategies, we aim to enhance the scientificity and universality of color planning. Overall, this research contributes to the field by providing evidence-based recommendations for color planning in children's outdoor playgrounds, ultimately contributing to the creation of more inclusive and vibrant child-friendly communities.