From Paths to Places: The “Hansel and Gretel” Phenomenon and the Role of Urban Morphology in Children’s Safety—A Case Study of El-Oukhoua Bourni District, Chelghoum Laïd.

Dr ahraou wafa

doi:10.29284/myejfc19

Authors

Dr ahraou wafa lecturer, Department of Architecture, Institute of Urban Techniques Management, University of M’sila, Algeria.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.29284/myejfc19

Keywords:

Urban Morphology, Spatial Configuration, Children’s Safety, El-Oukhoua Bourni District, Street Networks, Physical Permeability, Chelghoum Laid

Abstract

This research provides a rigorous analytical investigation into the structural relationship between urban morphological configurations and the physical safety of children within the built environment. Utilizing the "Hansel and Gretel" Phenomenon as a spatial metaphor for navigational risk and physical vulnerability, the study transitions from theoretical abstraction to empirical spatial analysis. The primary objective is to evaluate how street network geometry, block permeability, and spatial connectivity dictate the safety levels of children’s movement patterns.

The methodology employs a descriptive-analytical approach applied to the El-Oukhoua Bourni district in Chelghoum Laïd, Algeria. The analysis focuses on technical spatial parameters, including path continuity, junction density, and the segregation of pedestrian-vehicular flows. By examining the physical layout of this district, the research identifies "spatial traps"—areas characterized by fragmented connectivity and dead-end configurations—that mirror the navigational hazards described in the metaphorical framework.

The findings demonstrate that children's safety is directly compromised by discontinuous urban fabrics and the lack of integrated pedestrian infrastructures. The study concludes by proposing a set of technical urban design interventions based on increasing spatial legibility through physical configuration rather than visual aesthetics. These recommendations aim to optimize navigational efficiency and minimize physical hazards, providing a scalable model for enhancing safety in Algerian urban housing districts.

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