Page 104 |
Save page Remove page | Previous | 104 of 188 | Next |
|
small (250x250 max)
medium (500x500 max)
Large (1000x1000 max)
Extra Large
large ( > 500x500)
Full Resolution
All (PDF)
|
This page
All
|
94
as variations across the five schools as shown in Table 6.1. The richness of
information was most reflected on the maps drawn by children from the Norwood
( X =20.2, SD=18.0) and the Foshay ( X =20.7, SD=14.4), which showed much higher
mean numbers of elements than the overall mean ( X =15.8, SD=12.8). A strong
representation of land use elements was consistently shown across the
neighborhoods. Within various land use elements residential use was by far the most
dominant in all maps as expected (Figure 6.1). In addition, a strong influence of
commercial facilities (26.4%) was also noted throughout, more frequently depicted
than public facilities (19.5%) including commonly believed to be important child
destinations such as playgrounds and parks. It may be explained by a sheer
dominance of commercial presence compared to the number of public facilities in
the areas. However, it may as well highlight the relevance of such commercial spaces
as strong anchors that transcend the traditional child-adult boundary in terms of
spatial designations.24
24 Sibley (1995) suggests that the urban landscape of childhood is an outcome of ‘purification’ process
that is adults’ attempt to dominate or control over the process of growing up through the construction
of socio-spatial boundaries. As a result, children are confined or ‘insulated’ to a few ‘islands’ where
their daily activities are commenced under the gaze of adults (Zeiher, 2003). In this respect, public
spaces, including pseudo ones (i.e., shopping mall or plaza) have become contested terrains between
‘out-of-place’ children and adults (see e.g., Mattews, Taylor, Percy-Smith, & Limb, 2000).
Object Description
| Title | Walkability as 'freedom': the ecology of school journey in inner city Los Angeles neighborhoods |
| Author | Uhm, Jung A |
| Author email | uhm@usc.edu; j_uhm@hotmail.com |
| Degree | Doctor of Philosophy |
| Document type | Dissertation |
| Degree program | planning |
| School | School of Policy, Planning, and Development |
| Date defended/completed | 2008-06-05 |
| Date submitted | 2008 |
| Restricted until | Unrestricted |
| Date published | 2008-10-17 |
| Advisor (committee chair) | Banerjee, Tridib |
| Advisor (committee member) |
Irazabal, Clara Stoner, Madeleine |
| Abstract | Over the past two decades, rising concerns over childhood obesity and its health effects have brought the issue of "walkability" to the forefront in creating a child friendly environment. Particularly, the idea of promoting children walking to and from school has gained widespread support among policy makers, public health officials, civic organizations, and planners as a way to increase physical activity among children to prevent obesity. Recent policies and programs however are based on an assumption about the direct influence of the built environment on school travel mode, of which parents' values and perceptions are considered prominent in determining environmental attributes related to children walking to school.; This research proposes a conceptual framework in understanding the relationship between the environment and children's travel by adding a crucial link generally missing in current walkability research - children. By proposing the notion of walkability as freedom, this study attempts to draw attentions to children's choices and real opportunities and factors that either facilitate or prohibit children in or from actualizing what they value (walking to school as one of many). With this goal, this research explored the elements of a walkable environment through the eyes of ethnic minority children attending five elementary schools in inner city Los Angeles.; Through the triangulation of capability approach, child-centered participatory methods, and ecological perspectives, the findings demonstrate children's capacity not only to observe and understand the environment, but also to evaluate and reflect on making their neighborhood environment safer and walkable on their own terms.; This research suggests a shift in policy focus from the provision and improvement of environmental resources to the enhancement of individual freedom by increasing children's participatory capability. The results of this study advance the discussion on the relationship between active school travel and the environment by bringing children into the foreground within the spheres of ecological transaction. |
| Keyword | capability; children; inner-city neighborhood; perception; school travel; walkability |
| Geographic subject | educational facilities: Foshay Learning Center; educational facilities: Norwood Street Elementary School; educational facilities: St. Agnes Parish School; educational facilities: Vermont Avenue Elementary School; educational facilities: Lenicia B. Weemes Elementary School |
| Geographic subject (city or populated place) | Los Angeles |
| Geographic subject (state) | California |
| Coverage date | circa 2008 |
| Language | English |
| Part of collection | University of Southern California dissertations and theses |
| Publisher (of the original version) | University of Southern California |
| Place of publication (of the original version) | Los Angeles, California |
| Publisher (of the digital version) | University of Southern California. Libraries |
| Provenance | Electronically uploaded by the author |
| Type | texts |
| Legacy record ID | usctheses-m1671 |
| Contributing entity | University of Southern California |
| Rights | Uhm, Jung A |
| Repository name | Libraries, University of Southern California |
| Repository address | Los Angeles, California |
| Repository email | cisadmin@lib.usc.edu |
| Filename | etd-Uhm-2224 |
| Archival file | uscthesesreloadpub_Volume29/etd-Uhm-2224.pdf |
Description
| Title | Page 104 |
| Contributing entity | University of Southern California |
| Repository email | cisadmin@lib.usc.edu |
| Full text | 94 as variations across the five schools as shown in Table 6.1. The richness of information was most reflected on the maps drawn by children from the Norwood ( X =20.2, SD=18.0) and the Foshay ( X =20.7, SD=14.4), which showed much higher mean numbers of elements than the overall mean ( X =15.8, SD=12.8). A strong representation of land use elements was consistently shown across the neighborhoods. Within various land use elements residential use was by far the most dominant in all maps as expected (Figure 6.1). In addition, a strong influence of commercial facilities (26.4%) was also noted throughout, more frequently depicted than public facilities (19.5%) including commonly believed to be important child destinations such as playgrounds and parks. It may be explained by a sheer dominance of commercial presence compared to the number of public facilities in the areas. However, it may as well highlight the relevance of such commercial spaces as strong anchors that transcend the traditional child-adult boundary in terms of spatial designations.24 24 Sibley (1995) suggests that the urban landscape of childhood is an outcome of ‘purification’ process that is adults’ attempt to dominate or control over the process of growing up through the construction of socio-spatial boundaries. As a result, children are confined or ‘insulated’ to a few ‘islands’ where their daily activities are commenced under the gaze of adults (Zeiher, 2003). In this respect, public spaces, including pseudo ones (i.e., shopping mall or plaza) have become contested terrains between ‘out-of-place’ children and adults (see e.g., Mattews, Taylor, Percy-Smith, & Limb, 2000). |
