Green space is important for childhood development, particularly in developing countries. The city of Malang, Indonesia has experienced steady economic and population growth in recent years, but green space area in the urban environment has been declining. In this study, we elucidated the status of green space accessible to children in Malang, and discussed ways of improving green space use. We identified green spaces around 291 elementary schools using satellite remote sensing. A RapidEye satellite image, which covered the study area with a 5-m ground sample distance, was acquired on May 20, 2015. From this image, the area of green spaces within 1 km radius circles of elementary schools were calculated. The total area of green space in the city was 45.439 km 2 , 41.3% of the total city area. Smaller green spaces were located near the city center, whereas larger green spaces were located in the southeastern part of the city. The green space ratio within 1 km of 96 schools was less than 15%, and it was 15-30% around 104 schools. Overall, there were few green spaces within walking distance of schools in Malang. The green space ratio in the city center was also low. Green spaces in the city should be maintained, and additional opportunities should be provided for children to access green spaces.

Green spaces in developing countries are often destroyed and degraded for other land uses. As increases in urbanization and population continue in Indonesia, it will be increasingly important to discuss green spaces around children. In this study, the actual use of urban green spaces by children was investigated through questionnaires for children and their parents, and the strategy for increasing opportunity to use urban green spaces was discussed in Malang, a region of progressing urbanization in Indonesia. A total of 147 questionnaires were received from the children and 145 from their parents. While there were few green spaces around schools in Malang, especially in the center of the city, fortunately, children liked to play in the outside more than other studies. However, children preferred to spend their time in well-maintained or level areas, such as parks and open fields. It might be important to provide parks with enough vegetation and attractive program within their living area in order to make them use green spaces. The cooperation with companies as corporate social responsibility program for developing environmental education programs might be effective.