Southern African cities still bear the scars of colonial development, where the colonists' housing was separated from that of the indigenous population. In South Africa, these areas (colloquially known as'suburbs') were well-serviced with tarred roads, piped water, and sewers. The 'townships' where the indigenous population (colloquially 'kazi') received minimal services. This applies to parks and play areas for children.
In some suburbs, beautiful parks with spacious play areas were developed; in others, a few swings, a slide, and a basic jungle gym have been plonked on a park site. I have never seen children playing on such sites.
While land has been set aside for parks in townships, few have been developed, and if they have, they have received little maintenance. They are mostly viewed as dangerous spaces rather than amenities.
The questions we are considering are (1) what type of spaces are required for the cognitive and physical development of children from about 4 to 12 years old and (2) how to provide such spaces in the context of South African cities.
The impact of play spaces on child development in Africa has not been widely researched, especially compared to other regions. However, recent studies highlight the importance of having well-designed play areas to enhance children's physical and cognitive development in African settings.
A study conducted in early childhood education centers in Johannesburg compared outdoor play spaces across institutions with different socioeconomic backgrounds. The findings indicated that in disadvantaged areas, play spaces were limited and lacked proper infrastructure, restricting free play opportunities and negatively affecting children's overall development. This underscores the urgent need to improve these spaces in underprivileged communities to promote equitable child development.
Regarding the creation of play spaces in the South African urban context, research has focused on designing safe and functional recreational areas within communities. One proposed approach is the application of participatory planning principles or "placemaking," which prioritize safety, accessibility, and community involvement in the design of these spaces. An example is the WIN (Water Innovation Network) project in Vaalharts, which aims to develop a sustainable water park adapted to local conditions and designed for children's enjoyment. Such initiatives demonstrate that it is possible to create play environments that foster inclusive and sustainable child development in South African contexts.
Although research on the benefits of playgrounds in Africa remains limited, existing studies reinforce the importance of well-designed play areas that cater to local needs. In South Africa, it is crucial to implement strategies that not only facilitate the construction of these spaces but also ensure their maintenance and community integration to create safe and stimulating environments for children.
- Cilliers, E. J., & Cornelius, S. (2016). An approach towards the planning of green child-friendly spaces in South Africa. Community Development Journal, 18. https://doi.org/10.1093/cdj/bsw040
- Van Zyl, B., Cilliers, J., & Lategan, L. (2022). Spatial planning guidelines for child-friendly spaces: an African perspective. Rural Society, 31(3), 179-195. https://doi.org/10.1080/10371656.2022.2151137
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