Çocuk Dostu Havalimanı: Kavramsal Çerçeve ve İstanbul Havalimanı Örneği

Abstract

In the present study, we aimed to determine the perceptual/metaphorical/conceptual variables on the subject of “Child-Friendly Airport” and to examine the current child friendly services and facilities of Istanbul Airport in terms of child-friendly airport criteria by creating a conceptual model. The perceived child-friendly airport concept and criterias were evaluated from the perspectives of families with children, experts and children of different age groups. In this context, suggestions were made for social policies and airport strategies and practices using the results to be obtained. A picture drawing and metaphor technique was applied to children aged 7-12, independent word association test was applied to children aged 13-18, in-depth interview techniques were applied to mothers of children aged 0-6 and focus group interview was applied to field experts. The research data were analyzed using the four themes of the Public Spaces Project (PPS) model (“Access and Linkages”, “Comfort and Image”, “Uses and Activities” and “Sociability”). With the findings obtained in our research, the conceptual structure was revealed and the most important criterias for a Child-Friendly Airport were tried to be revealed. This study shows that the criteria grouped under 4 themes and sub-themes should be prioritized when creating a child-friendly airport. When Istanbul Airport is evaluated according to these criteria, it has the characteristics of a Child-Friendly Airport with the services and facilities it offers.