抄録
Experiencing nature through outdoor activities is essential for children's physical and mental development. However, the number of childcare facilities without their own gardens or playgrounds is increasing due to deregulations related to establishing childcare facilities in Japan. This study assesses the sufficiency of urban parks and other green spaces within walking distance of childcare facilities in Tokyo through an accessibility analysis using geographic information systems. The findings reveal significant differences in park and green space accessibility based on the type and year of establishment of childcare facilities. In particular, childcare facilities established after the deregulations, as well as new-type childcare facilities, had poorer access to parks. However, when considering other urban green spaces, such as schoolyards, temple and shrine grounds, and urban farmlands, the sufficiency rate significantly improved, increasing from an average of 53% to 85%. These results highlight the need for government intervention to enhance children's access to outdoor activities. Potential measures include acting as an intermediary between childcare facilities and landowners or managers of urban green spaces or issuing collaborative guidelines to promote the opening of these spaces to childcare facilities.
