 Vertical living kids
 Dana Mizrachi, a researcher with the University of
Melbourne, Faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning. is
the project manager for a research project entitled 'Vertical
Living Kids'.
Funded by a VicHealth Discovery Grant and with the support
of the Cities of Melbourne and Port Phillip, Vertical Living
Kids explores the physical and social factors influencing the
independent mobility and physical activity of children aged
8-13 living in apartment housing.
theye are investigating how children living in high-rise
housing use their local surroundings, what they like and
dislike about these areas and use of their local neighborhood
contributes to their levels of physical activity.
The focus is on children aged 8 to 13 years living in high-
rise housing (buildings of 4 storeys or more) in the Cities of
Melbourne and Port Phillip. The project consists of several
fun activities with children including a photography activity
(where children are given cameras for a week to take photos
of places they like and dislike in their neighbourhood), a
‘travel activity diary’ and accelerometer and global
positioning system readings) and a short take-home survey
for parents.
Participation in the project involves three visits (not
exceeding an hour each) to be completed over a three week
period. Finally, the research team will also be conducting
neighbourhood audits of the neighbourhoods that the
participants reside to review the environmental qualities of
the area such as traffic volume, safety and the number and
quality of local destinations for children.
The project also endeavors to uncover international best
practice/policy in promoting physical activity and
independent mobility of children living in high rise housing.
From their research findings, they will provide policy
recommendations to the Cities of Melbourne and Port Phillip
to inform their child friendly city policies and help them
create better spaces for children. The findings of the project
will also feed into a variety of Department of Human Services
public housing redevelopment projects.
Dana is seeking assistance.
"We are currently locating and recruiting children and
families to participate in this study and we are trying to
engage an even mix of children living in public and private
housing so that the project reflects a range of children’s
perspectives, cultural and socio-economic backgrounds,"
she said.
"Although a small number of families residing in Southbank
are currently participating in the project, we have found it
incredibly difficult to locate and recruit children from this
area. Our initial recruitment strategy was focused on
schools, and although this has been extremely helpful to
recruit children residing in public housing, it appears that
there is no one school serving a critical mass of children
living in private high rise housing. Rather, children living in
private high rise housing are attending a variety of schools
which are geographically dispersed across multiple
municipalities. As a result we are contacting numerous
community organisations in Docklands and Southbank to see
if they could assist us to locate and recruit families living in
these areas," she added.
Dana would appreciate any assistance such as distributing
their flyer etc..
Contact dana: 8344 5473.
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