1- iran university of science & technology
2- iran university of science & technology ,ekhlassi@iust.ac.ir
2- iran university of science & technology ,
Abstract: (114 Views)
Children, as the future generation and one of the main groups entitled to citizenship rights, should game an active role in decision-making processes and in the design of their living environments. Such participation not only strengthens the development of children’s individual and social identities but also contributes to improving spatial quality. The importance of this process is doubled in architectural and urban design and planning, while errors in this regard entail greater risks. In future-oriented design processes, actions are inevitably accompanied by various conditions of uncertainty. The clearer and more transparent these conditions are, the more effective and accurate decision-making becomes. Therefore, alongside design and decision-making concepts, a wide range of tools and approaches have emerged to reduce, manage, or control uncertainty, each aiming to support more rational and informed decisions.
Within this context, the present research examines the role of children’s participation in decision-making related to future spaces, with particular emphasis on the application of game and simulation methods within the field of futures studies and on explaining the function of this approach in shaping child-friendly spaces. Futures studies, as an interdisciplinary field with its own specific exploratory and anticipatory tools, can game a significant role in improving the envisioning of future spatial scenarios and in testing adopted decisions prior to implementation, thereby contributing substantially to the reduction of uncertainty in architectural and urban design processes. In light of this capacity, game and simulation methods within futures studies are proposed as interactive tools capable of enhancing children’s participation and facilitating more inclusive and participatory design processes.
The research methodology is descriptive–analytical and is based on documentary studies and conceptual analysis of approaches to children’s participation, interactive design, and futures-oriented decision-making. Accordingly, the study focuses on examining active participation processes of children and the capacities of interactive design to create meaningful spatial experiences and support interactive and joint decision-making, with specific reference to game and simulation methods used in futures studies.
The findings indicate that integrating futures studies frameworks based on game and simulation with interactive design processes and child-friendly space principles can lead to the development of an interactive participatory model. Within this model, children game an effective role in meaning-making, spatial choices, and decision-making across multiple scales, ranging from interior architectural environments to the urban scale. Such an approach can contribute to enhancing future spatial quality while fostering inclusive and sustainable social development
Within this context, the present research examines the role of children’s participation in decision-making related to future spaces, with particular emphasis on the application of game and simulation methods within the field of futures studies and on explaining the function of this approach in shaping child-friendly spaces. Futures studies, as an interdisciplinary field with its own specific exploratory and anticipatory tools, can game a significant role in improving the envisioning of future spatial scenarios and in testing adopted decisions prior to implementation, thereby contributing substantially to the reduction of uncertainty in architectural and urban design processes. In light of this capacity, game and simulation methods within futures studies are proposed as interactive tools capable of enhancing children’s participation and facilitating more inclusive and participatory design processes.
The research methodology is descriptive–analytical and is based on documentary studies and conceptual analysis of approaches to children’s participation, interactive design, and futures-oriented decision-making. Accordingly, the study focuses on examining active participation processes of children and the capacities of interactive design to create meaningful spatial experiences and support interactive and joint decision-making, with specific reference to game and simulation methods used in futures studies.
The findings indicate that integrating futures studies frameworks based on game and simulation with interactive design processes and child-friendly space principles can lead to the development of an interactive participatory model. Within this model, children game an effective role in meaning-making, spatial choices, and decision-making across multiple scales, ranging from interior architectural environments to the urban scale. Such an approach can contribute to enhancing future spatial quality while fostering inclusive and sustainable social development
Keywords: Futures studies, interactive design process, children’s participation, game and simulation, child-friendly spaces.
Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
Architecture and Urbanism
Received: 2025/12/24 | Accepted: 2026/03/22
Received: 2025/12/24 | Accepted: 2026/03/22
Send email to the article author
| Rights and permissions | |
 |
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. |
