Unveiling the Impact of Green Infrastructure on Children's play in Primary School Open Spaces An empirical pilot case study from Leipzig, Germany

Dagmar Haase^*

• Humboldt University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany

Abstract. In an era of increasing urbanisation and sealing, green and open spaces are being displaced at an accelerated rate. However, it is precisely these spaces that contribute to the liveability of a city for its inhabitants, including a significant number of schoolchildren. Concurrently, urban green infrastructure is strategically integrated into the city's structures with a view to providing ecosystem services that support human health and well-being. The prevailing assumption is that green infrastructure exerts a significant influence on the play behaviour of children in school yards, with certain green elements being hypothesised to foster increased creativity. The present pilot study, which was conducted in the city of Leipzig, Germany, examined the importance of green infrastructure on children's schoolyard activities at five elementary schools which were selected at random. Of particular interest was the importance of specific elements of UGI that foster creative play. The study employed a non-participant observation approach, wherein the children's activities were meticulously documented, and a comprehensive mapping of the elementary school schoolyards was conducted to ascertain the proportions of green and grey areas, as well as their arrangement. The research findings are noteworthy in demonstrating that mid-height green infrastructure exerts a positive influence on creative the play behaviour of primary school children, with a particular emphasis on the promotion of creative play, which in turn contributes to the cognitive development of younger children.