Upgrading the outdoor space of primary schools in Tripoli, Libya

Abstract

This research is a response to a recent programme adopted by the Libyan Education Authority (LEA) to initiate and develop pupils' skills and to improve playground provision, and outdoor spaces in Libyan primary schools. The researcher's decision was made in response to the significance of outdoor space in nurturing children's physical, intellectual and emotional development through activities, physical exercise, imaginative games and play with other children.

The research method used was derived from participative design techniques (Personal Construct Psychology and Eco- analysis) and was developed to explore children's needs in relation to their experience of place. It consists of the following steps:

1. Setting the scene of, and background to, outdoor space in Libyan primary schools considering the impact of Libyan history and culture on education.

2. Conducting an in -depth review and analysis of the relevant literature on theories of child education as well as the provision of outdoor space and children's playgrounds. See reverse side for notes

3. Undertaking empirical work and field studies. This included the production and analysis of specific questionnaires for pupils and adults (parents, teachers, engineers and authorities). The empirical work also included asking pupils to produce cognitive drawings out of which a number of important concepts and themes emerged. These were addressed in relation to the relevant literature.

4. Including a number of case -study examples of outdoor space design from different countries.

5. Finally, making recommendations which address design and other organisational issues would be useful to all key stakeholders in Libyan education. The researcher then lets them have the freedom to translate and organize these themes into their own way without restricting them by specific design, in order to meet Libyan pupils' needs through developing appropriate approaches to the design of outdoor space in primary schools.