• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.101-108
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• 2017

In Korea, playgrounds have been developed quantitatively and qualitatively. However, there is a lack of interest in the play needs of children with disabilities. With this in mind, this study is concerned about the planning and design process of the inclusive playground constructed in 2016 at Seoul Children's Grand Park. The case study covered the Kkumtle Kkumtle playground in Seoul Children's Grand Park and was completed in December 2015. This playground is the first case of an inclusive playground ever built in Korea. The concept of the inclusive playground established in this study is: (1) a playground where not only children with disabilities but both children with disabilities and children without disabilities can play together; (2) a playground for both children with disabilities accompanied by their families and children without disabilities accompanied by family members with disabilities; (3) a playground that ensures universal accessibility to the entire space including play facilities; and (4) a playground where the most essential functions of a playground-fun, curiosity, and adventure-are centered on various activities. In conclusion, we presented limitations and opinions for improvements to design and policy proposals for social expansion of inclusive playgrounds. There are three ways to overcome limitations in design. First, there is a need for an in-depth study of play characteristics by type of disabilities of children. Second, it is necessary to develop facilities suitable for the actual situation of Korea through various social experiments. Third, if the inclusive playground centered on facilities is presented in this study, then several types of integrated playgrounds should be implemented in the future.

• Journal of the Architectural Institute of Korea Planning & Design
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• v.33 no.12
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• pp.41-52
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• 2017

This study investigates the waiting and resting behaviors of children within a restorative healthcare facility design. In particular, the aim is to compare children with and without disabilities and reveal similarities and differences in terms of their behavioral characteristics and uses of design facilities, related to positive distraction, for restoration in the hospital. Three major common spaces for outpatients in S children's hospital in Seoul were examined including the main lobby and two waiting and resting spaces in the pediatric and rehabilitation medicine departments, respectively. A total of 155 children under the age of 12-67 with physical disabilities and 88 without-were observed while they waited and rested at the three spaces before or after doctors' examination. Basic demographic information and waiting and resting behavioral characteristics were compared between the two groups. The results indicated that the disabled children were more restricted in terms of space, facilities used, and social behaviors. However, regardless of disabilities, the children showed more positive distractions related to cognitive and social behaviors in areas where restorative design elements such as an aquarium, garden, or visual images were available. Based on the results, design implications were discussed to strengthen positive distraction behaviors in children with and without disabilities and to foster the restorative quality of the spaces for waiting and resting in the children's hospital.