Strategies for inclusive playgrounds: a case study from Japan

In recent years, with the support of the Japanese government, playgrounds in Japan are gradually moving towards a more inclusive direction. This study focuses on the specific question of how Momochi Central Park in Fukuoka City can be transformed from a conventional playground to an inclusive one th...

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Main Authors: Jia Wang, Yasuyuki Hirai, Yunkyu Lee
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2025-02-01
Series:Journal of Asian Architecture and Building Engineering
Subjects:
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13467581.2025.2458805
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author Jia Wang
Yasuyuki Hirai
Yunkyu Lee
author_facet Jia Wang
Yasuyuki Hirai
Yunkyu Lee
author_sort Jia Wang
collection DOAJ
description In recent years, with the support of the Japanese government, playgrounds in Japan are gradually moving towards a more inclusive direction. This study focuses on the specific question of how Momochi Central Park in Fukuoka City can be transformed from a conventional playground to an inclusive one that meets the needs of children with disabilities. The renewal strategy involved a series of public-centric workshops, citizen working sessions, and on-site investigations using journey maps to actively engage stakeholders. A user-centric approach was maintained throughout six activities, from initial sketches to iterative design improvements, leading to a comprehensive transformation plan. At first, this study identified 12 key inclusivity points across 7 park types from 17 advanced cases, which were used to evaluate Momochi Central Park before and after its renewal. Additionally, based on the journey map’s statistical results, the updated plan was also assessed to determine whether it meets participants’ preferences across four key areas: physical play, mental play, social play, and access. Results show that the renewal strategy effectively meets the 12 inclusivity points and largely aligns with the preferences identified in the journey map analysis. Key findings highlight the advantages and disadvantages of the renewal process, offering valuable practical insights for transforming other conventional playgrounds into inclusive ones.
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spelling doaj-art-983e076dfe004ec7be674efd9621cd202025-02-11T15:10:10ZengTaylor & Francis GroupJournal of Asian Architecture and Building Engineering1347-28522025-02-010011710.1080/13467581.2025.24588052458805Strategies for inclusive playgrounds: a case study from JapanJia Wang0Yasuyuki Hirai1Yunkyu Lee2Kyushu UniversityKyushu UniversityKyushu UniversityIn recent years, with the support of the Japanese government, playgrounds in Japan are gradually moving towards a more inclusive direction. This study focuses on the specific question of how Momochi Central Park in Fukuoka City can be transformed from a conventional playground to an inclusive one that meets the needs of children with disabilities. The renewal strategy involved a series of public-centric workshops, citizen working sessions, and on-site investigations using journey maps to actively engage stakeholders. A user-centric approach was maintained throughout six activities, from initial sketches to iterative design improvements, leading to a comprehensive transformation plan. At first, this study identified 12 key inclusivity points across 7 park types from 17 advanced cases, which were used to evaluate Momochi Central Park before and after its renewal. Additionally, based on the journey map’s statistical results, the updated plan was also assessed to determine whether it meets participants’ preferences across four key areas: physical play, mental play, social play, and access. Results show that the renewal strategy effectively meets the 12 inclusivity points and largely aligns with the preferences identified in the journey map analysis. Key findings highlight the advantages and disadvantages of the renewal process, offering valuable practical insights for transforming other conventional playgrounds into inclusive ones.http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13467581.2025.2458805inclusive playgroundjourney mapworkshopcitizen workingplayground equipment
spellingShingle Jia Wang
Yasuyuki Hirai
Yunkyu Lee
Strategies for inclusive playgrounds: a case study from Japan
Journal of Asian Architecture and Building Engineering
inclusive playground
journey map
workshop
citizen working
playground equipment
title Strategies for inclusive playgrounds: a case study from Japan
title_full Strategies for inclusive playgrounds: a case study from Japan
title_fullStr Strategies for inclusive playgrounds: a case study from Japan
title_full_unstemmed Strategies for inclusive playgrounds: a case study from Japan
title_short Strategies for inclusive playgrounds: a case study from Japan
title_sort strategies for inclusive playgrounds a case study from japan
topic inclusive playground
journey map
workshop
citizen working
playground equipment
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13467581.2025.2458805
work_keys_str_mv AT jiawang strategiesforinclusiveplaygroundsacasestudyfromjapan
AT yasuyukihirai strategiesforinclusiveplaygroundsacasestudyfromjapan
AT yunkyulee strategiesforinclusiveplaygroundsacasestudyfromjapan