A Study on the Use of Parks in the Green Matrix System of Kohoku New Town, Japan

Abstract

This study focuses on the use of parks planned for the open space network system, called the "the Green Matrix System" in Kohoku New Town. The main purpose of the Green Matrix System is to connect parks, communal facilities, and apartment houses with pedestrian and bicycle roads. We investigated the actual condition of park use, with special focus on the combination of parks, and pedestrian and bicycle roads, and in particular their use by pre-school children. We determined the status of use through observational investigation and questionnaire surveys for two areas.The results were, first, that active use was observed by different users for each time period, and that "the extended-pass-type activities" and compound use were observed as a feature of the combination of parks, and pedestrian roads. Second, we conclude that a combination of parks and pedestrian roads strengthens the function of intercommunication and recreation in pass-type activities, and encourages a variety of active uses. On the other hand, it raises safety aspects because of the large amount of bicycles and the strangers passing through the parks, and also because of the numerous blind spots arising because of the plentiful greenery in greenways. There is a possibility that these safety problems could diminish use of the GMS by young children.