Identifying, Validating, and Prioritizing Environmental Factors Influencing Children’s Creativity: A Delphi–AHP Framework

Abstract

In urban and residential environments across Iran, spaces designated for children often lack the essential physical qualities needed to stimulate curiosity, imagination, and creativity. This deficiency stems from a prevalent focus on didactic approaches, the expansion of apartment living, and a diminishing connection with nature. This research was conducted with the objective of identifying, validating, and prioritizing environmental factors influencing children’s creativity, and subsequently developing a practical framework for designing child-centered spaces. The study employed a mixed-methods (qualitative-quantitative) survey approach. In the initial phase, a systematic literature review of 25 articles identified 68 preliminary factors, which were then categorized into five main criteria and 15 sub-criteria. Subsequently, factor validation was performed using a two-round Delphi method, followed by the calculation of weights through the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) based on the insights of 30 experts in architecture, urban planning, and educational psychology. The research instruments, after undergoing validation for face validity, demonstrated favorable reliability and internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha ranging from 0.706 to 0.802). The AHP findings, with a highly acceptable aggregate inconsistency ratio (“CR”=0.004), revealed the main criteria in order of priority as: Stimulation (weight 0.282), Naturalism (weight 0.254), Sociability and Interaction (weight 0.186), Flexibility (weight 0.145), and Calmness and Security (weight 0.132). Notably, the top two criteria accounted for over 53.6% of the total weight. Furthermore, the five highest-ranked sub-criteria—namely “Enchantment, Adventure, and Discovery,” “Play with Natural Elements,” “Spatial Functionality in Facilitating Social Interaction,” “Spatial Diversity,” and “Outdoor Natural Activities”—constituted 56.7% of the total aggregated weights. The Delphi results, indicated by a high Kendall’s W coefficient (W=0.746, p<0.001), signified strong expert consensus. Stability tests, including bootstrap analysis (1000 iterations), sensitivity analysis, and single-expert removal tests, confirmed the robustness of the decision-making structure and the convergence of the methodologies. The analytical conclusion of this research elucidates that the flourishing of children’s creativity is more dependent on fostering active engagement, lived experiences with nature, and the provision of multi-faceted, flexible, and secure environments, rather than mere physical presence. The developed framework can serve as an operational guide for designers and planners of children’s growth and learning spaces.