Designing for learning Studying Outdoor Environment of Primary Schools in Egypt

Abstract

Primary education is a key factor in developing children’s character and fulfil their special needs during schooling life. Subsequently, governments and educational organizations pay significant attention to this educational phase. Furthermore, the quality of the educational environment impacts educational performance. In most cases, The Egyptian schools underestimate the importance of the design quality of the schools’ outdoor environment unlike educationally developed countries especially those interested in outdoor education. Thus, it is essential to highlight the role of the natural environment and the welfare of the educational outdoors environment for children in schools among urban planners, designers, and governmental authorities. Unfortunately, the national Egyptian guidelines for schools' outdoor environment set by GAEB (General Authority for Educational Buildings) lack the design principles of schools' outdoor environment. These schools’ outdoor areas considered a complimentary area for the school building only. The study adopts that the design language of outdoor spaces is ONE of the means of educational tools. Hence, this study aims to build design principles for an educational outdoor environment for primary schools. These principles study the relationship between the educational settings children’s development dimensions and the characteristics of the children’s outdoor environment. The thesis classified these environment’s characteristics into three categories: the motivations factors, the usability factors, and the legibility factors to create an active environment for children.