Dreaming and Designing a Child-friendly Neighbourhood for Brooks Reach, Dapto

The Dapto dreaming project was implemented from April to July of 2011. Funded by Stockland developers it was a child friendly research activity to support the new Brooks Reach urban development located in the West Dapto Urban release area. The aim of the project was to provide an opportunity for children, through research, to have authentic input into the design of the new development in order that it will incorporate the visions and dreams of children growing up in the area. The project was implemented through a series of child friendly community childrenʼs research workshop with residents and children from the local Dapto community. In particular, the focus was to connect with and scaffold the involvement of children and staff from Dapto Public School through participatory workshops so they could have authentic input into the design of the development, in particular the playground and streetscape. On completion of a series of workshop and data collection opportunities with 150 school children in Kindergarten and Grade 5, the task of a small invited reference group of children was to work with the adult research team to collate and analyse the childrenʼs data and from this construct a list of child friendly indicators. These indicators and the data were then used to construct a childrenʼs report that was circulated to all the children at Dapto Public School and the community. The reference group then devised a series of design recommendations for Stockland for a play space at the new development and an adventure pathway that would connect the old and new neighbourhoods. Play consultant and artist, Ric McConaghy, local indigenous advisors, Stockland staff and the Stockland landscape architect worked alongside the children. The project will culminate in a celebration of the children's designs and the opportunity for children and local community members to discuss their visions with Stockland and city council staff.