Roaming the city
Children's independent mobility across urban neighborhoods in Taiwan
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 22994641 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Chuan-Ming Tung (0000-0002-5190-5673, Ming Chuan University), Tzuhui Angie Tseng (0000-0003-3683-830X, National Tsing Hua University, corresponding author), Shao-Yin Wang (Ming Chuan University), Wang Shao-yin (Ming Chuan University) |
| Year | 2026 |
| Pages | 1-16 |
| Publication date | 2026-06-30 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Children s Geographies (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1473-3277 • E-ISSN: 1473-3285 |
| Publisher | Informa UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1080/14733285.2026.2694350 |
| OpenAlex | W7166745611 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 32 |
This study investigates the factors influencing Children's Independent Mobility (CIM) in urban Taiwan, focusing on two contrasting neighborhoods in Taoyuan City: the Central Business District (CBD) and the Rear Station Residential District (RRD). A questionnaire survey was administered to 412 parent–child pairs (children aged 8–13), assessing CIM through six daily activities. Objective environmental data, including pedestrian sidewalk ratio, road junction density, and land use characteristics, were mapped using GIS within a 600-meter buffer around each respondent’s residence. Factor analysis was employed to extract eight facets of parental perception of the neighborhood environment. Regression analysis revealed that children's school, grade level, proximity to main roads, weekend school activities, parental satisfaction with school, and perceived walking safety significantly predicted CIM in the full sample. In the CBD, children's age and indoor activity preference were key predictors, while in the RRD, school affiliation and perceptions of safety and harassment were most influential. Results show CIM is lower in the CBD due to environmental complexity and lower parental trust, despite better infrastructure. This study highlights that a simplified neighborhood environment and improved perceived safety are essential for enhancing CIM in high-density Asian urban contexts.
Megacity · Roaming · Urban planning · Urbanization · Children's Rights and Participation · Urban Design and Spatial Analysis · Urban Transport and Accessibility
Children's active travel and independent mobility in four countries
Perceptions about the local neighborhood and walking and cycling among children
Neighborhood, Route, and School Environments and Children's Active Commuting
Children's active free play in local neighborhoods
Realising the Sustainable Development Goal 11.7 in the post-pandemic era – A case study of Taiwan
Associations between children’s independent mobility and physical activity
Kids in the city study
Playing it safe
Association between the built environment and children's independent mobility
Children’s independence and affordances experienced in the context of public open spaces
Does the walkability of neighbourhoods affect children's independent mobility, independent of parental, socio-cultural and individual factors
The influence of psychosocial and environmental factors on children's independent mobility and relationship to peer frequentation
Children’s independent mobility to school, friends and leisure activities
Built Environment Effects on Children’s School Travel in Taipai
Route-Based Analysis to Capture the Environmental Influences on a Child's Mode of Travel between Home and School
| Citation velocity | historical |
|---|---|
| Highly cited | No |