Research on Spontaneous Play and Environmental Characteristics Related to Children’s Interaction With Plants in Community Parks of Tianjin

With the advance of inclusive city and child-friendly construction, children’s opportunities to access nature have gained increasing concern. This study explored play preference children aged between 3 12 years old when they interact with plants, as well corresponding environmental characteristics, four community parks in Tianjin examples. It collected data on behaviors, factors surroundings concerning plants via multiple methods including behavioral observation, mapping, questionnaire, semi-structured interview, which were examined under theories related cognitive development, play, affordance. Employing such quantitative analysis cross tabulation analysis, further obtained frequency various types affordance provided by different varied environments, specific behaviors these environments. The findings show that due biophilic nature, are able actively make use existing green spaces utilize perceived affordance, used shaped games high-density urban environment. Children’s interaction/play increases their direct connection can basically meet daily needs for natural experience; where there diverse species characteristics stimulate more plant affordances. Future landscape design should pay attention how facilitate spontaneous creating places needs, introducing rich distinctive developing supporting functions other elements, encouraging challenging adventurous strengthening safety education.