Immigrants’ habitus transference and recreational expectations in urban parks cultural landscape settings

Abstract

ABSTRACT This paper draws attention to the importance of immigrants’ efforts to maintain their cultural identities, which are often manifested through the way they use the built environment for recreational activities. It investigates the way recent first-generation Iranian immigrants use the Australian cultural landscape, specifically urban parks, for recreational activities. The process of habitus transference and the role of park settings and design characters in immigrants’ use of these spaces are examined by applying Q methodology with photographs, along with observation and semi- structured in-depth individual interviews. This study suggests that in the process of habitus transference recent immigrants tend to undertake recreational activities in the settings that support their understanding of landscape as mediated by their cultural background. It highlights the recent immigrants’ expectations of these spaces and the importance of a ‘fit’ between habitus and the park settings in generating a ‘sense of belonging’. However, the settings that are not aligned with the immigrants’ expectations and understanding of park spaces may alter their patterns of use after migration. The results of this study support urban park settings that offer a broad range of experiences: from naturalness to developed settings suitable for social activities.