An Empirical Study on Waterscape Design in Child-Friendly Residential Areas: Based on Behavioral Observation and Preference Analysis

Han Xili; Sun Zhimei

doi:doi:10.11648/j.sd.20251305.11

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An Empirical Study on Waterscape Design in Child-Friendly Residential Areas: Based on Behavioral Observation and Preference Analysis

Han Xili, Sun Zhimei^*

Published in Science Discovery (Volume 13, Issue 5)

Received: 16 July 2025 Accepted: 25 August 2025 Published: 5 September 2025

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Abstract

Waterscape, as one of the most attractive landscape elements in children's outdoor activities, play a crucial role in promoting children's participation in outdoor activities and healthy physical behavior. With the popularization of artificial waterscape in urban residential areas, the influence mechanism of their design patterns on children's activities and their usage preferences urgently need in-depth research. This study selected the Century City residential Area in Haidian District, Beijing as an empirical case, focusing on five typical waterscapes including artificial lakes, strip streams, water pools (including fountains), artificial rockery waterfalls, and dry fountains in squares. It comprehensively utilized spatial behavior observation methods (scanning observation and tracking observation) (N=224), structured interviews, and questionnaire surveys (N=104). Systematically analyze children's preferences for water feature usage and their physical activity support efficacy. The research findings are as follows: (1) The type of water feature significantly affects the frequency of children's use. Among them, pools and ribbon-shaped streams have the highest child-friendliness, while the appeal of artificial rockeries, waterfalls and dry fountains in squares is relatively limited. (2) Children significantly tend to choose water body forms with ecological features (including animals and plants), small-scale and dynamic changes. Natural design is superior to stylized landscapes. (3) Preferences for waterside facilities show differentiation. Traditional facilities such as Bridges, waterside platforms and pavilions are more favored, while the popular stepping stones and wooden walkways in water in current designs show a lower willingness to be used. This study provides empirical evidence and optimization paths for the design of child-friendly water features in residential areas.

Published in	Science Discovery (Volume 13, Issue 5)
DOI	10.11648/j.sd.20251305.11
Page(s)	78-85
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2025. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Child-friendly, Water Scenery in the Residential Area, Usage Preference, Behavioral Observation, Design Strategy

References

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APA Style

Xili, H., Zhimei, S. (2025). An Empirical Study on Waterscape Design in Child-Friendly Residential Areas: Based on Behavioral Observation and Preference Analysis. Science Discovery, 13(5), 78-85. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sd.20251305.11

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ACS Style

Xili, H.; Zhimei, S. An Empirical Study on Waterscape Design in Child-Friendly Residential Areas: Based on Behavioral Observation and Preference Analysis. Sci. Discov. 2025, 13(5), 78-85. doi: 10.11648/j.sd.20251305.11

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AMA Style

Xili H, Zhimei S. An Empirical Study on Waterscape Design in Child-Friendly Residential Areas: Based on Behavioral Observation and Preference Analysis. Sci Discov. 2025;13(5):78-85. doi: 10.11648/j.sd.20251305.11

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@article{10.11648/j.sd.20251305.11,
  author = {Han Xili and Sun Zhimei},
  title = {An Empirical Study on Waterscape Design in Child-Friendly Residential Areas: Based on Behavioral Observation and Preference Analysis
},
  journal = {Science Discovery},
  volume = {13},
  number = {5},
  pages = {78-85},
  doi = {10.11648/j.sd.20251305.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sd.20251305.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.sd.20251305.11},
  abstract = {Waterscape, as one of the most attractive landscape elements in children's outdoor activities, play a crucial role in promoting children's participation in outdoor activities and healthy physical behavior. With the popularization of artificial waterscape in urban residential areas, the influence mechanism of their design patterns on children's activities and their usage preferences urgently need in-depth research. This study selected the Century City residential Area in Haidian District, Beijing as an empirical case, focusing on five typical waterscapes including artificial lakes, strip streams, water pools (including fountains), artificial rockery waterfalls, and dry fountains in squares. It comprehensively utilized spatial behavior observation methods (scanning observation and tracking observation) (N=224), structured interviews, and questionnaire surveys (N=104). Systematically analyze children's preferences for water feature usage and their physical activity support efficacy. The research findings are as follows: (1) The type of water feature significantly affects the frequency of children's use. Among them, pools and ribbon-shaped streams have the highest child-friendliness, while the appeal of artificial rockeries, waterfalls and dry fountains in squares is relatively limited. (2) Children significantly tend to choose water body forms with ecological features (including animals and plants), small-scale and dynamic changes. Natural design is superior to stylized landscapes. (3) Preferences for waterside facilities show differentiation. Traditional facilities such as Bridges, waterside platforms and pavilions are more favored, while the popular stepping stones and wooden walkways in water in current designs show a lower willingness to be used. This study provides empirical evidence and optimization paths for the design of child-friendly water features in residential areas.
},
 year = {2025}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - An Empirical Study on Waterscape Design in Child-Friendly Residential Areas: Based on Behavioral Observation and Preference Analysis

AU  - Han Xili
AU  - Sun Zhimei
Y1  - 2025/09/05
PY  - 2025
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sd.20251305.11
DO  - 10.11648/j.sd.20251305.11
T2  - Science Discovery
JF  - Science Discovery
JO  - Science Discovery
SP  - 78
EP  - 85
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2331-0650
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sd.20251305.11
AB  - Waterscape, as one of the most attractive landscape elements in children's outdoor activities, play a crucial role in promoting children's participation in outdoor activities and healthy physical behavior. With the popularization of artificial waterscape in urban residential areas, the influence mechanism of their design patterns on children's activities and their usage preferences urgently need in-depth research. This study selected the Century City residential Area in Haidian District, Beijing as an empirical case, focusing on five typical waterscapes including artificial lakes, strip streams, water pools (including fountains), artificial rockery waterfalls, and dry fountains in squares. It comprehensively utilized spatial behavior observation methods (scanning observation and tracking observation) (N=224), structured interviews, and questionnaire surveys (N=104). Systematically analyze children's preferences for water feature usage and their physical activity support efficacy. The research findings are as follows: (1) The type of water feature significantly affects the frequency of children's use. Among them, pools and ribbon-shaped streams have the highest child-friendliness, while the appeal of artificial rockeries, waterfalls and dry fountains in squares is relatively limited. (2) Children significantly tend to choose water body forms with ecological features (including animals and plants), small-scale and dynamic changes. Natural design is superior to stylized landscapes. (3) Preferences for waterside facilities show differentiation. Traditional facilities such as Bridges, waterside platforms and pavilions are more favored, while the popular stepping stones and wooden walkways in water in current designs show a lower willingness to be used. This study provides empirical evidence and optimization paths for the design of child-friendly water features in residential areas.

VL  - 13
IS  - 5
ER  -

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Author Information

Han Xili

School of Urban Planning and Design, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, C318, PKU Campus, Shenzhen, China; College of Architecture and Landscape Architecture, Peking University, Beijing, China

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Sun Zhimei

College of Architecture and Landscape Architecture, Peking University, Beijing, China; Xinhua Water Resources Holding Group Corporation LTD., Beijing, China

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APA Style

Xili, H., Zhimei, S. (2025). An Empirical Study on Waterscape Design in Child-Friendly Residential Areas: Based on Behavioral Observation and Preference Analysis. Science Discovery, 13(5), 78-85. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sd.20251305.11

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ACS Style

Xili, H.; Zhimei, S. An Empirical Study on Waterscape Design in Child-Friendly Residential Areas: Based on Behavioral Observation and Preference Analysis. Sci. Discov. 2025, 13(5), 78-85. doi: 10.11648/j.sd.20251305.11

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AMA Style

Xili H, Zhimei S. An Empirical Study on Waterscape Design in Child-Friendly Residential Areas: Based on Behavioral Observation and Preference Analysis. Sci Discov. 2025;13(5):78-85. doi: 10.11648/j.sd.20251305.11

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@article{10.11648/j.sd.20251305.11,
  author = {Han Xili and Sun Zhimei},
  title = {An Empirical Study on Waterscape Design in Child-Friendly Residential Areas: Based on Behavioral Observation and Preference Analysis
},
  journal = {Science Discovery},
  volume = {13},
  number = {5},
  pages = {78-85},
  doi = {10.11648/j.sd.20251305.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sd.20251305.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.sd.20251305.11},
  abstract = {Waterscape, as one of the most attractive landscape elements in children's outdoor activities, play a crucial role in promoting children's participation in outdoor activities and healthy physical behavior. With the popularization of artificial waterscape in urban residential areas, the influence mechanism of their design patterns on children's activities and their usage preferences urgently need in-depth research. This study selected the Century City residential Area in Haidian District, Beijing as an empirical case, focusing on five typical waterscapes including artificial lakes, strip streams, water pools (including fountains), artificial rockery waterfalls, and dry fountains in squares. It comprehensively utilized spatial behavior observation methods (scanning observation and tracking observation) (N=224), structured interviews, and questionnaire surveys (N=104). Systematically analyze children's preferences for water feature usage and their physical activity support efficacy. The research findings are as follows: (1) The type of water feature significantly affects the frequency of children's use. Among them, pools and ribbon-shaped streams have the highest child-friendliness, while the appeal of artificial rockeries, waterfalls and dry fountains in squares is relatively limited. (2) Children significantly tend to choose water body forms with ecological features (including animals and plants), small-scale and dynamic changes. Natural design is superior to stylized landscapes. (3) Preferences for waterside facilities show differentiation. Traditional facilities such as Bridges, waterside platforms and pavilions are more favored, while the popular stepping stones and wooden walkways in water in current designs show a lower willingness to be used. This study provides empirical evidence and optimization paths for the design of child-friendly water features in residential areas.
},
 year = {2025}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - An Empirical Study on Waterscape Design in Child-Friendly Residential Areas: Based on Behavioral Observation and Preference Analysis

AU  - Han Xili
AU  - Sun Zhimei
Y1  - 2025/09/05
PY  - 2025
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sd.20251305.11
DO  - 10.11648/j.sd.20251305.11
T2  - Science Discovery
JF  - Science Discovery
JO  - Science Discovery
SP  - 78
EP  - 85
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2331-0650
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sd.20251305.11
AB  - Waterscape, as one of the most attractive landscape elements in children's outdoor activities, play a crucial role in promoting children's participation in outdoor activities and healthy physical behavior. With the popularization of artificial waterscape in urban residential areas, the influence mechanism of their design patterns on children's activities and their usage preferences urgently need in-depth research. This study selected the Century City residential Area in Haidian District, Beijing as an empirical case, focusing on five typical waterscapes including artificial lakes, strip streams, water pools (including fountains), artificial rockery waterfalls, and dry fountains in squares. It comprehensively utilized spatial behavior observation methods (scanning observation and tracking observation) (N=224), structured interviews, and questionnaire surveys (N=104). Systematically analyze children's preferences for water feature usage and their physical activity support efficacy. The research findings are as follows: (1) The type of water feature significantly affects the frequency of children's use. Among them, pools and ribbon-shaped streams have the highest child-friendliness, while the appeal of artificial rockeries, waterfalls and dry fountains in squares is relatively limited. (2) Children significantly tend to choose water body forms with ecological features (including animals and plants), small-scale and dynamic changes. Natural design is superior to stylized landscapes. (3) Preferences for waterside facilities show differentiation. Traditional facilities such as Bridges, waterside platforms and pavilions are more favored, while the popular stepping stones and wooden walkways in water in current designs show a lower willingness to be used. This study provides empirical evidence and optimization paths for the design of child-friendly water features in residential areas.

VL  - 13
IS  - 5
ER  -

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