Triangulation study of water play in urban open spaces in sheffield: Children’s experiences, parental and professional understanding and control

As a life source water is the reason why majority of world’s largest cities developed in the area where they are now and it is an aesthetic reason that influence many people and landscape architects. Although, how children experience many types of urban open spaces have been identified in the literature, evidence-based research knowledge was extremely limited about water experiences of children in urban open spaces. The purpose of this paper is to explore what makes water features in different urban open spaces attractive to children and what opportunities or constraints influence children’s ability to experience such environments. This research has adopted subject triangulation methodology and focuses on three research subjects; children, parents and professionals who designed and manages those spaces, which are three dimension of water play provision. Study suggest some striking results about children’s use of water features, parental controls and allowance, and professionals’ consideration.