Vertical living kids

By Candy Lashkari

A University of Melbourne Associate Professor Carolyn Whitzman has recently concluded a study called “Vertical living kids” which proves that children living in high rises are not as independent as those living in the suburbs. They are far more dependent on parental supervision when planning outings and excursions.

“There has been a dramatic decrease over the past 30 years in what we call ‘Children’s Independent Mobility’, the ability of children aged 8-12 to explore public spaces without adults.” said Carolyn Whitzman.

The number of apartments buildings built in the Australian capital has been on the rise since the public housing estates began building them in the 1960s and 1970s. These were primarily means for residents who were thought to be DINKS or dual income no kids. It is not considered healthy for kids to be raised in high rises.

However a number of children do live in these downtown apartments. The effect of living in such high rise apartment buildings on their mobility without parents in the neighborhood is profound. This is what the study “Vertical Living Kids” has tried to establish.

A total of 40 children between the ages of 8 to 12 took part in the study. These children were asked to fill in details of the trips that they took over a period of four days. They were to note down these details in a travel diary and they were even given disposable cameras to take photos of places that they liked or did not like around the neighbourhood.

According to Carolyn Whitzman, “There have been a number of studies in recent years that look at children living in more traditional suburban homes in Melbourne. All of these studies have found that there has been a precipitous decline in children's independent journeys to school, shops, friends' houses and other destinations. If suburbs were intended to provide safe places for children to explore and travel on their own, they are failing in that regard.”

Of the 290 trips monitored over the 4 day period, 18 children in public housing and 22 in privately owned properties participated in the project. Whitzman asserted, “Being able to go to school, friends’ houses, parks and shops on their own is vital to kids’ physical and emotional development, their sense of citizenship – of being a valued part of a community and being physically active in day to day activities.”

Children who participated in the study were found to get bored with the small play grounds in the areas which they felt were more suited to smaller children. They did enjoy living in high rises which were more centrally located and offered a chance to get out on trips to malls close by.

There are guidelines being offered for schools and playgrounds to be planned in new high rise private developments. The more active children are in this age, the more active they are likely to be in the future when they grow up into adults. And the more active an adult is the less likely if he to get obese or related cardiac disorders.