Professor
BA (Rhodes)
MA (Witw)
PhD (Leeds)
PGDipTP, PGDipEnvMan (C England)
Richardson Building, room 4C21
Office Hours: email to make an appointment
Tel +64 3 479 8785
Email claire.freeman@otago.ac.nz
Inaugural Professorial Lecture
Claire's Inaugural Professorial Lecture is available as a podcast:
Planning biodiverse cities for all ages
Teaching
is mainly in the Master of Planning programme with teaching involvement in the following papers:
- HUMS 301 Internship Practicum
- HUMS 401 Internship Practicum
- PLAN 411 Planning Theory
- PLAN 412 Spatial Planning and Development
Claire also contributes to:
- ENVI 111 Environment and Society
- GEOG 216 Resource Evaluation and Planning
- GEOG 397 Environmental Management
Research interests
These are in the general field of urban geography and environmental planning and development, notably:
- Planning and development of the natural environment; biodiversity and conservation planning, open space planning.
- Planning with children; children and young people's participation in planning and the environment and environmental education and
- Sustainable settlements; focusing on community planning and planning for the natural urban environment
Research Projects:
- Negotiating Childhood around the Pacific-Rim: A multi-generational analysis
- How has urban change, as experienced over three generations, impacted children’s lives across different cultural, societal and economic contexts?
- What are the drivers of these changes and how can gains in childhood experiences and wellbeing be protected and losses addressed, in culturally appropriate ways?
- What are the universals of childhood valued irrespective of time and space, and which are locationally and culturally distinct?
- What should the priorities be to shape positive places for children to live?
- How can we best inform social policy and urban planning that will support children’s wellbeing?
- Pre-schoolers as Competent Evaluators of their City
- People Cities and Nature
- Natural neighbourhoods for City Children
- Planning and urban biodiversity for all ages
- Pacific children and urban change
Our aim is to investigate the environmental and socio-economic changes in urban childhoods over three generations across the Pacific Rim to better identify the key elements that support or hinder children’s wellbeing. Our aim will be met via five research questions:
Authored Book - Research
- Freeman, C. and Cook, A. 2019. Children and Planning, Concise Guides to Planning Series. Lund Humphries, UK
Chapter in Book - Research
- Freeman, C. 2020. Children and sustainable transport, In Curtis, C. (ed) Handbook of Sustainable Transport, Edward Elgar, UK
- Freeman, C. and van Heezik, Y. 2018. Nature in Children’s Environments: A Mixed Methods Study, in C. Davidson and M.Tolich, Social Science Research in New Zealand, Auckland University Press
PhD supervision available
My current research projects and areas where I would be keen to supervise PhD students are as follows:
- Urban nature connection
- Urban greening strategies
- Nature connection across the ages
- Biodiversity planning and development
- Children young people and planning
- Young children’s conceptions of cities and city form
- Planning urban areas with children and young people
- Children’s environments
- Pacific children’s changing lives
- Community development/planning for better urban areas
If you are interested in any of the above or in a related field of urban planning and development, biodiversity planning or community planning and development please email me at cf@geography.otago.ac.nz.
I am happy to supervise students who wish to do research in New Zealand, the Pacific or in the student’s home country or country of interest. The University of Otago has generous PhD scholarships available to students with very good academic records.
Current postgraduate supervision
- Lizz Carrington: Determining the utility of play based exercise programmes in green and blue spaces for children with disabilities
- Soran Mansournia: Attitudes, Challenges, and Opportunities concerning Informal Green Spaces (IGS) – Children interactions. Can IGS improve cities for kids?
- Bruno Marques: Therapeutic landscapes and Indigenous knowledge: The role of culture, health and landscape
- Sophie Fern: What is the effect of non-human charisma on conservation in New Zealand? (PhD co-supervisor)
- Audrey Heyzer: Engaging people in biodiversity management: exploring the convergence of culture and nature (PhD co-supervisor)
- Andreas Samus: Promoting Connection to Nature and Biodiversity in Urban Gardens ( PhD co-spupervisor)
Recent postgraduate supervision
- Alice Falloon: Young adults and biodiversity (MPlan supervisor)
- Dorothy Foliaki: Strategic environmental assessment in the Pacific (MA)
- Evans, 2020. MPlan. Medium density housing developments
- Olivia Neame: Happy cities (MPlan)
- Chris Pearse Smith: Urban public spaces (MPlan)
- Matt Simpson: Green Building (MPlan)
- Ekrina Iose: Religion and planning in Samoa (MPlan)
- A. Ward: Adolescent mobility heath (PhD: co-supervisor)
- Taimaz Lariman: Safety and belonging in Urban Development (PhD primary supervisor)
- Nadia Tenouri: Gender and conservation (PhD co-supervisor)
- Sarah White: Disability access on campus (MPlan)
- Mayce Ballantyne: Green space provision in rest homes (MPlan)
- Thejas Jagganth: Interactive art in public space (MPlan)
- Olivia Steven: Green corridors in Dunedin (MPlan)
- Sarah White: Disability access on campus (MPlan)
- Mayce Ballantyne: Green space provision in rest homes (MPlan)
- Thejas Jagganath: Interactive Art in public space (MPlan)
- Olivia Steven: Green corridors in Dunedin (MPlan)
- G. Mardones: Protected areas and local communities in temperate rainforests of Chile (PhD 2016: primary supervisor)
- Gillian Elliot: Web based 'virtually mediated', interactive, 'user generated' experiences of nature for young people (PhD 2016: primary supervisor)
- A. Palliser: Tourism destination management and information exchange (PhD 2015: co-supervisor [examined and minor amendments in process]
- Katie James: Sustainable Urban Settlements: Governance Challenges (PhD 2014: co-supervisor)
- Roanne Quashie Harry: Child poverty in the Caribbean (PhD 2008: co-supervisor)
- A. Palliser: 2006: Tourism destination management and information exchange (PhD 2006: co-supervisor)
- Mandy Tocher: Biodiversity Maintenance and Protection under RMA Section 6 (c) (MPlan 2016: primary supervisor)
- Alice Murphy: Planning for the night sky in urban New Zealand (MPlan 2016: primary supervisor)
- Bronte Linkhorn: Small scale green spaces (MPlan 2014: primary supervisor)
- Bridget Spence: Public transport in rebuilding post-quake Christchurch (MPlan 2014: primary supervisor)
- Ethan Archer: Shared streets: the Adelaide experience (MPlan 2014: primary supervisor)
- Thomas Faherty: Transportation and the Auckland spatial plan (MPlan 2013)
- Kathryn Wasley: Pre-disaster planning in Japan (MPlan 2013)
- Katrina Gray: Outdoor space in medium density housing (MPlan 2013)
- Mai Tamimi: Planning and development in Palestine (PhD 2013: primary supervisor)
- Jaydine Keenan: Freedom camping (MPlan 2012)
- H. Farthing: Urban growth management in Tauranga (MPlan 2012)
Publications
van Heezik, Y., Barratt, B. I. P., Burns, B. R., Clarkson, B. D., Cutting, B. T., Ewans, R., Freeman, C., … Seddon, P. J. (2023). A rapid assessment technique for evaluating biodiversity to support accreditation of residential properties. Landscape & Urban Planning, 232, 104682. doi: 10.1016/j.landurbplan.2023.104682
Freeman, C., Latai Niusulu, A., Schaaf, M., Taua'a, T. S., Tanielu, H., Ergler, C., & Kivalu, M. (2022). Kinship and belonging: Pacific children’s perspectives on the diaspora. Childhood, 29(4), 612-627. doi: 10.1177/09075682221121681
Samus, A., Freeman, C., Van Heezik, Y., Krumme, K., & Dickinson, K. J. M. (2022). How do urban green spaces increase well-being? The role of perceived wildness and nature connectedness. Journal of Environmental Psychology. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1016/j.jenvp.2022.101850
Samus, A., Freeman, C., Dickinson, K. J. M., & van Heezik, Y. (2022). Relationships between nature connectedness, biodiversity of private gardens, and mental well-being during the Covid-19 lockdown. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, 127519. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1016/j.ufug.2022.127519
Freeman, C., Latai Niusulu, A., Schaaf, M., Taua'a, T. S., Tanielu, H., Ergler, C., & Kivalu, M. (2022). Identity, belonging and place attachment amongst Pacific Island children: A photographic analysis. Children's Geographies. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1080/14733285.2022.2039900
Freeman, C., & Cook, A. (2019). Children and planning: Concise guide to planning. London, UK: Lund Humphries, 176p.
Authored Book - Research
Freeman, C., & van Heezik, Y. (2018). Children, nature and cities: Rethinking the connections. Abingdon, UK: Routledge, 318p.
Authored Book - Research
Freeman, C., & Tranter, P. (2011). Children and their urban environment: Changing worlds. London: Earthscan, 265p.
Authored Book - Research
Freeman, C., Cheyne, C., Ding, P., Ellery, N., & Williams, J. (2005). The impact of rising property prices on coastal settlement communities. Dunedin, New Zealand: Department of Geography, University of Otago, 74p.
Authored Book - Research
Freeman, C., Henderson, P., & Kettle, J. (1999). Planning with Children for Better Communities: The Challenge to Professionals. Bristol UK: Policy Press, 164p.
Authored Book - Research
Freeman, C., Tranter, P., & Skelton, T. (Eds.). (2017). Risk, protection, provision and policy. Singapore: Springer Science+Business Media, 441p. doi: 10.1007/978-981-287-035-3
Edited Book - Research
Higgins, N., & Freeman, C. (Eds.). (2013). Childhoods: Growing up in Aotearoa New Zealand. Dunedin, New Zealand: Otago University Press, 325p.
Edited Book - Research
Thompson-Fawcett, M., & Freeman, C. (Eds.). (2006). Living together: Towards inclusive communities. Dunedin, New Zealand: Otago University Press, 272p.
Edited Book - Research
Freeman, C., & Thompson-Fawcett, M. M. (Eds.). (2003). Living space: Towards sustainable settlements in New Zealand. Dunedin: University of Otago Press, 240p.
Edited Book - Research
Ergler, C. R., & Freeman, C. (2020). Children, maps, and mapping. In A. Kobayashi (Ed.), International encyclopedia of human geography. (2nd ed.) (pp. 155-165). Oxford, UK: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-08-102295-5.10522-0
Chapter in Book - Research
Freeman, C., & van Heezik, Y. (2018). Nature in children's environments: A mixed methods study. In M. Tolich & C. Davidson (Eds.), Social science research in New Zealand: An introduction. (pp. 339-352). Auckland, New Zealand: Auckland University Press.
Chapter in Book - Research
Freeman, C. (2017). Cities that encourage happiness. In C. R. Ergler, R. Kearns & K. Witten (Eds.), Children's health and wellbeing in urban environments. (pp. 84-97). Abingdon, UK: Routledge.
Chapter in Book - Research
Freeman, C., Gollop, M., & Nairn, K. (2016). Disasters, displacement, and disruption: Children and young people's experience of spatial change following disasters. In N. Ansell, N. Klocker & T. Skelton (Eds.), Geographies of global issues: Change and threat. (Online ed.) (pp. 1-25). Singapore: Springer. doi: 10.1007/978-981-4585-95-8_11-1
Chapter in Book - Research
Freeman, C., & Tranter, P. (2015). Children's geographies. In J. D. Wright (Ed.), International encyclopedia of the social & behavioral sciences. (2nd ed.) (pp. 491-497). Oxford, UK: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-08-097086-8.72019-8
Chapter in Book - Research
Freeman, C. (2013). The changing environmental worlds of Aotearoa New Zealand children. In N. Higgins & C. Freeman (Eds.), Childhoods: Growing up in Aotearoa New Zealand. (pp. 59-76). Dunedin, New Zealand: Otago University Press.
Chapter in Book - Research
Freeman, C., & Higgins, N. (2013). Introduction: Children in Aotearoa New Zealand: An overview. In N. Higgins & C. Freeman (Eds.), Childhoods: Growing up in Aotearoa New Zealand. (pp. 13-28). Dunedin, New Zealand: Otago University Press.
Chapter in Book - Research
Higgins, N., & Freeman, C. (2013). Conclusion: Where are we going? In N. Higgins & C. Freeman (Eds.), Childhoods: Growing up in Aotearoa New Zealand. (pp. 274-280). Dunedin, New Zealand: Otago University Press.
Chapter in Book - Research
Freeman, C. (2011). The biogeography of built environments. In A. C. Millington, M. A. Blumer & U. Schickhoff (Eds.), The SAGE handbook of biogeography. (pp. 357-372). London: SAGE.
Chapter in Book - Research
Freeman, C. (2006). Colliding worlds: Planning with children and young people for better cities. In B. Gleeson & N. Sipe (Eds.), Creating child friendly cities: Reinstating kids in the city. (pp. 69-85). Oxon, UK: Routledge.
Chapter in Book - Research
Freeman, C. (2006). Creating welcoming communities for children and young people. In M. Thompson-Fawcett & C. Freeman (Eds.), Living together: Towards inclusive communities in New Zealand. (pp. 93-108). Dunedin, New Zealand: Otago University Press.
Chapter in Book - Research
Freeman, C. (2006). Introduction: Developing inclusive communities. In M. Thompson-Fawcett & C. Freeman (Eds.), Living together: Towards inclusive communities in New Zealand. (pp. 15-26). Dunedin, New Zealand: Otago University Press.
Chapter in Book - Research
Thompson-Fawcett, M. M., & Freeman, C. (2003). Achieving sustainable settlements for everyone. In C. Freeman & M. Thompson-Fawcett (Eds.), Living space: Towards sustainable settlements in New Zealand. (pp. 221-226). Dunedin, New Zealand: University of Otago Press.
Chapter in Book - Research
Freeman, C. (1999). Children's participation in environmental decision making. In S. Buckingham-Hatfield & S. Percy (Eds.), Constructing Local Environmental Agendas: People Places and Participation. (pp. 68-80). London: Routledge.
Chapter in Book - Research
Millard, A., & Freeman, C. (1998). The development of a simple geographic information system for use in urban landscape analysis and decision making. In J. Breuste, H. Feldmann & O. Uhlmann (Eds.), Urban Ecology. (pp. 683-688). Berlin: Springer Verlag.
Chapter in Book - Research
Freeman, C., & Tranter, P. (2017). Volume 12: Editorial: Risk, protection, provision and policy in geographies of children and young people. In C. Freeman, P. Tranter & T. Skelton (Eds.), Risk, protection, provision and policy. (pp. ix-xvii). Singapore: Springer Science+Business Media.
Chapter in Book - Other
van Heezik, Y., Barratt, B. I. P., Burns, B. R., Clarkson, B. D., Cutting, B. T., Ewans, R., Freeman, C., … Seddon, P. J. (2023). A rapid assessment technique for evaluating biodiversity to support accreditation of residential properties. Landscape & Urban Planning, 232, 104682. doi: 10.1016/j.landurbplan.2023.104682
Journal - Research Article
Ergler, C. R., Freeman, C., & Guiney, T. (2022). Pre-schoolers' vision for liveable cities: Creating 'care-full' urban environments. Tijdschrift voor Economische en Sociale Geografie, 113(2), 131-150. doi: 10.1111/tesg.12461
Journal - Research Article
Freeman, C., Buttery, Y., & van Heezik, Y. (2022). Nature exposure and use of open spaces in three generation families: Implications for planning. Journal of Environmental Planning & Management, 65(4), 562-582. doi: 10.1080/09640568.2021.1891870
Journal - Research Article
Freeman, C., Ergler, C., Kearns, R., & Smith, M. (2022). Covid-19 in New Zealand and the Pacific: Implications for children and families. Children's Geographies, 20(4), 459-468. doi: 10.1080/14733285.2021.1907312
Journal - Research Article
Freeman, C., Latai Niusulu, A., Schaaf, M., Taua'a, T. S., Tanielu, H., Ergler, C., & Kivalu, M. (2022). Kinship and belonging: Pacific children’s perspectives on the diaspora. Childhood, 29(4), 612-627. doi: 10.1177/09075682221121681
Journal - Research Article
Freeman, C., Latai Niusulu, A., Schaaf, M., Taua'a, T. S., Tanielu, H., Ergler, C., & Kivalu, M. (2022). Identity, belonging and place attachment amongst Pacific Island children: A photographic analysis. Children's Geographies. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1080/14733285.2022.2039900
Journal - Research Article
Marques, B., Freeman, C., & Carter, L. (2022). Adapting traditional healing values and beliefs into therapeutic cultural environments for health and well-being. International Journal of Environmental Research & Public Health, 19, 426. doi: 10.3390/ijerph19010426
Journal - Research Article
Samus, A., Freeman, C., Dickinson, K. J. M., & van Heezik, Y. (2022). Relationships between nature connectedness, biodiversity of private gardens, and mental well-being during the Covid-19 lockdown. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, 127519. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1016/j.ufug.2022.127519
Journal - Research Article
Samus, A., Freeman, C., Van Heezik, Y., Krumme, K., & Dickinson, K. J. M. (2022). How do urban green spaces increase well-being? The role of perceived wildness and nature connectedness. Journal of Environmental Psychology. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1016/j.jenvp.2022.101850
Journal - Research Article
Ergler, C. R., Freeman, C., & Guiney, T. (2021). Walking with preschool-aged children to explore their local wellbeing affordances. Geographical Research, 59, 118-135. doi: 10.1111/1745-5871.12402
Journal - Research Article
Falloon, A., Freeman, C., & van Heezik, Y. (2021). Awareness, attitudes and the environmental engagement of young adults in New Zealand. New Zealand Geographer, 77, 230-241. doi: 10.1111/nzg.12309
Journal - Research Article
Freeman, C., Buttery, Y., & van Heezik, Y. (2021). Complexity and flexibility: Interviews with three-generation families in their homes. Qualitative Research, 21(4), 531-549. doi: 10.1177/1468794120936125
Journal - Research Article
Freeman, C., Buttery, Y., Waters, D. L., & Van Heezik, Y. (2021). Older adults’ domestic green environments: The preference for flowers. Landscape Research, 46(7), 897-915. doi: 10.1080/01426397.2021.1921132
Journal - Research Article
Marques, B., Freeman, C., Carter, L., & Pedersen Zari, M. (2021). Conceptualising therapeutic environments through culture, indigenous knowledge and landscape for health and well-being. Sustainability, 13(16), 9125. doi: 10.3390/su13169125
Journal - Research Article
van Heezik, Y., Freeman, C., Falloon, A., Buttery, Y., & Heyzer, A. (2021). Relationships between childhood experience of nature and green/blue space use, landscape preferences, connection with nature and pro-environmental behavior. Landscape & Urban Planning, 213, 104135. doi: 10.1016/j.landurbplan.2021.104135
Journal - Research Article
Ergler, C. R., Freeman, C., & Guiney, T. (2020). Pre-schoolers' transport imaginaries: Moving towards sustainable futures? Journal of Transport Geography, 84, 102690. doi: 10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2020.102690
Journal - Research Article
Ergler, C. R., Freeman, C., & Latai, A. (2020). Samoan children's sense of place: Experiential landscapes in an urban village. Asia Pacific Viewpoint, 61(2), 391-398. doi: 10.1111/apv.12263
Journal - Research Article
Larimian, T., Freeman, C., Palaiologou, F., & Sadeghi, N. (2020). Urban social sustainability at the neighbourhood scale: Measurement and the impact of physical and personal factors. Local Environment, 25(10), 747-764. doi: 10.1080/13549839.2020.1829575
Journal - Research Article
van Heezik, Y., Freeman, C., Buttery, Y., & Waters, D. L. (2020). Factors affecting the extent and quality of nature engagement of older adults living in a range of home types. Environment & Behavior, 52(8), 799-829. doi: 10.1177/0013916518821148
Journal - Research Article
van Heezik, Y., Freeman, C., Davidson, K., & Lewis, B. (2020). Uptake and engagement of activities to promote native species in private gardens. Environmental Management, 66, 42-55. doi: 10.1007/s00267-020-01294-5
Journal - Research Article
Baldwin, C., Marshall, G., Ross, H., Cavaye, J., Stephenson, J., Carter, L., Freeman, C., … Syme, G. (2019). Hybrid neoliberalism: Implications for sustainable development. Society & Natural Resources, 32(5), 566-587. doi: 10.1080/08941920.2018.1556758
Journal - Research Article
Freeman, C., Waters, D. L., Buttery, Y., & van Heezik, Y. (2019). The impacts of ageing on connection to nature: The varied responses of older adults. Health & Place, 56, 24-33. doi: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2019.01.010
Journal - Research Article
Freeman, C., Stein, A., Hand, K., & van Heezik, Y. (2018). City children’s nature knowledge and contact: It is not just about biodiversity provision. Environment & Behavior, 50(10), 1145-1171. doi: 10.1177/0013916517732108
Journal - Research Article
Freeman, C., van Heezik, Y., Dickinson, K., Buttery, Y., Barratt, B., & Waters, D. (2018). Cities: Open space planning for the benefit of both people and native species: Understanding urban biodiversity and highlighting their relevance for planning and planners. Planning Quarterly, 211, 10-17.
Journal - Research Article
Hand, K. L., Freeman, C., Seddon, P. J., Recio, M. R., Stein, A., & van Heezik, Y. (2018). Restricted home ranges reduce children’s opportunities to connect to nature: Demographic, environmental and parental influences. Landscape & Urban Planning, 172, 69-77. doi: 10.1016/j.landurbplan.2017.12.004
Journal - Research Article
