CONTENTS Abstract . 1 Acknowledgements 3 CONTENTS 5 List of figures . 7 1. Overview . 9 1.1. Introduction 9 1.2. Aim 9 1.3. Objectives 9 1.4. Methodology 10 1.5. Scope 10 1.6. Limitations . 11 1.7. Expected Outcome . 11 2. Children in the Outdoors . 13 2.1. Interaction of Children with the Outdoors . 13 2.2. Child Health Benefits of the Use of Outdoors . 14 2.3. Outdoor Play and its Relationship with Nature . 15 3. Formulation of a Theoretical Framework . 17 3.1. Framework of the Study 17 3.2. Understanding Child Perception 17 3.3. Understanding the Relationship Between Man and Environment . 19 3.4. Synthesis and Theoretical Framework of the Study 20 3.4.1. Linkage to the Physical Environment . 20 3.4.2. Process Model of Imaginative Play 21 3.4.3. Mechanism of Experience 23 4. Field Investigation: Site Study 25 4.1. Site Selection Criteria 25 4.2. Site Context and Introduction 26 4.2.1. Physical Configuration . 26 4.2.2. Site Demographics 27 4.2.3. Socio-Economic and Cultural Contexts . 28 4.2.4. A Child’s Daily Routine 29 4.2.5. Specificity of Locational Details . 30 4.3. Analytical Framework . 30 4.4. Observational Studies and Behavioural Mapping: A Qualitative Understanding 33 4.4.1. Locational Settings. 33 4.4.2. Behavioural Settings 39 5. Qualitative Understanding of Data . 61 5.1. Identification of Stimuli Influencing Imaginative Play 61 5.2. Qualitative Understanding of Correlation between Variables 62 5.3. Qualitative Understanding of Impact of Variables . 64 6. Quantitative Analysis of Data. 67 6.1. The Need for Quantitative Analysis 67 6.2. Regression Analysis 67 6.3. Limitations posed by the Regression Model . 69 7. Outcomes and Interpretation 73 8. References 77 Appendices . 81 A1. Pilot Study: Survey Questionnaire 81 A2. Qualitative Analysis Appendix . 85 A3. Quantitative Analysis Appendix . 86