DEPOK — The limited availability of adequate play spaces for children in urban areas has become a serious issue affecting children’s physical and mental development. The lack of child-friendly public spaces has the potential to encourage sedentary lifestyles, increase dependence on digital devices, and trigger various health risks at an early age.
These conditions formed the backdrop for the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Indonesia (FMIPA UI), through the Community Service Team of the Department of Geography in collaboration with the Research Course on Housing and Policy (RECEH-POL) team, to implement a program mapping children’s play spaces in Kampung Lio, Depok Subdistrict. The program, entitled “Together We Map, Together We Play” which took place during the July–November 2025 period.
The Head of the Community Service Program, Alif Raya Zulkarnaen, explained that children in Kampung Lio have limited access to safe and adequate play spaces. In fact, play activities play an important role in supporting optimal child growth and development.
“This program aims to map potential children’s play spaces as a basis for future spatial planning and management interventions. We hope that the results will provide a sustainable impact for the Kampung Lio community,” said Alif.
The mapping was carried out participatively on 11 October 2025, involving children from Kampung Lio as the main subjects. With assistance from university students, the children identified the play locations they commonly use as well as the types of activities carried out at each site. This approach was considered effective in exploring children’s spatial knowledge while also strengthening their sense of ownership of spaces within their neighborhood.
Alongside the mapping activities, parents took part in an awareness session on the dangers of gadget addiction (gadget-holic) and the importance of play for children. The outreach was delivered by Lintang Shafa Mazaya, UI's SDGs Ambassador and Outstanding Student of the Faculty of Administrative Sciences, University of Indonesia, Class of 2022.
The mapping results were subsequently processed by the FMIPA UI Community Service Team in collaboration with the RECEH-POL team. The FMIPA UI team was responsible for spatial data processing and identifying locations that are safe as well as potentially hazardous for children’s play activities. These findings were then formulated into policy recommendations. Meanwhile, the RECEH-POL team developed architectural design proposals based on the spatial and anthropological conditions of the identified locations.
One of the locations identified as a children’s play hotspot was the parking area of the musholla in RW 13. The area is relatively spacious and frequently used by children, but it poses safety risks due to vehicle traffic. The team recommended reorganizing the parking layout, using safer materials, and adding play facilities in the form of an Islamic-themed funbox that integrates play functions with religious education.
As part of the program’s follow-up, the mapping results and policy recommendation studies were submitted to the Depok Subdistrict Office on Wednesday (28 January 2026) at the Depok Subdistrict Office. The handover of the maps and policy brief documents was conducted by the FMIPA UI and RECEH-POL teams to the Head of Depok Subdistrict, Herman, S.E., and was witnessed by the Head of RW 13 and representatives of the Family Welfare Empowerment (PKK).
The Head of Depok Subdistrict, Herman, S.E., described the activity as an example of how academics can contribute to addressing real issues in the community. “This is an example of how knowledge gained on campus can return and be directly beneficial to residents,” he said.
A representative of the Depok Subdistrict PKK, Umi Lili Sholihat, expressed hope that the mapping results would be followed up at the city government level. “Hopefully, this map can be submitted to the Depok City Government and receive approval for the development of proper playground facilities for children in Kampung Lio,” she said.
Through this program, the FMIPA UI and RECEH-POL teams hope to encourage more human-centered spatial planning, particularly for children, while also contributing to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 3, 8, and 11. Collaboration among academics, local communities, and regional governments is considered key to delivering sustainable solutions to public space challenges in urban areas.
