Leisure Areas Research Articles

Dry Sand Quality: The Case Study of a Touristic Beach from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Coastal contamination became a growing public health concern. Enteric illness outbreaks, and the occurrence of dermatitis and mycoses during the summer season in leisure areas, were usually related to seawater pollution. Pathogenic microorganisms can reach coastal areas through sewage discharges, compromising marine water, and beach quality. Although sand transmission of enteric illness is still unclear, there is an expressed concern that sand may act as reservoirs or vectors for humans infection. In this context, the main hypotheses of this study were: (i) fecal coliforms density changes within beach compartments; (ii) dry sand is the most contaminated beach compartment; (ii) fecal coliforms densities are within international standard limits for sand. Therefore, this case study quantified and compared within three months total fecal bacteria (TC) and thermotolerant coliforms (TEC) densities in seawater, wet, and dry sand of a chosen touristic beach from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Furthermore, to contribute to coastal beach management, sand contamination data surveyed were compared with the standard limits ruling worldwide until April 2018 to check suitableness. Vermelha beach should be considered as a reference beach for sand monitoring in Brazil. Despite being a buffer zone from the MONA Pão Açucar conservation unit, it is subjected to intense touristic pressure. Even though, fecal bacteria densities quantified in Vermelha beach were within the standards of “excellent” quality sand and water according to current legislation/guidelines. However, dry sand was the most contaminated compartment, followed by seawater and wet sand. The bacterial density in dry sand was up to 4,600 times higher than wet sand. Except for Rio de Janeiro city, recreational guidelines for beach quality is exclusive for seawater contamination. There are no established parameters for recreational beach sand classification, only recommendations, including Portugal. Monitoring recreational beach dry sand is critical to reducing the risk of beachgoer exposure to pathogens.

Wind Effect on Microclimate and Thermal Comfort Index in Open-air Public Spaces in the Brazilian Rainforest Cities

Amazon cities and rural villages came to fragment its green spaces, implying changes in the quality of life of its population. Despite clear warning signs, this picture of environmental degradation processes has affected flora and fauna with severe consequences throughout the forest, from points that tend to widen over time. Supported on a literature review of microclimate research in environments, which is based on the dew point temperature, another suitability has been formulated considering the importance of wind speed. By using computational records, when this variable is contained in the characterization of a person's sense of well-being in a given outdoor environment, a thermal comfort index can be established to assist in planning the construction of appropriate leisure areas, as well as identifying unhealthy environments. The results were obtained in different places, during drier summer months in the Amazon rainforest, around the city of Belém, located in the extreme north of Brazil. The best responses were registered in an environment characterized by arboreal architecture planning, followed by an environment with an intact vegetation forest.

CANTEIRO CENTRAL DA AVENIDA BRASIL. ESPAÇO DE PRESERVAÇÃO DA IDENTIDADE DE PASSO FUNDO, RS

Passo Fundo possui identidade física, cultural, ambiental e urbana vinculada aos canteiros da Avenida Brasil; foi como“Caminho das tropas”, rota comercial utilizada para o abastecimento regional e exportação de mercadorias; deu origem à avenida com canteiros centrais, com morfologia e usos distintos: próximo à área central encontram-se espaços ricos em vegetação, equipamentos urbanos e mobiliário utilizados como praças e áreas de contemplação e lazer; em oposição a outros trechos, onde o canteiro se estreita, com pouca vegetação. Este artigo é parte de estudo que busca enfocar a identidade e importância dos canteiros da avenida Brasil como espaço de vivência, lazer e de espaço vegetado significativo para a urbanização da cidade visando a sua conservação e possibilidades de preservação como patrimônio.A metodologia adotada incluiu revisão bibliográfica, pesquisa de opinião e analise dos resultados junto à população que usufruicotidianamente dos equipamentos e mobiliário urbano. A importância da configuração física própria gerada na cidade pelo caminho das tropas já se constitui em fator de identidade física, cultural e com benefícios ambientais reconhecidos possibilitando a indicação destes espaços para a conservação e preservação, os habitantes da cidade têm o canteiro central como ponto de encontro, de contemplação e identificaçãolocal.

Мифологизирующая сила повседневности

The article presents the social mythology as a phenomenon that is implemented on two levels – the “archaic” and “conjunctural”: the first level reflects the ideas that go back to the archaic, unconscious everyday practices; the second one – the embodiment in the myth of the results of targeted development. It has been revealed the functions of social mythology (ontological, gnoseological, axiologi­cal, praxeological), the conductors of which are myths and rituals. The authors believe that the specifics of contemporary social mythology can be seen com­pletely, by examining how its functions are implemented in the main spheres of everyday life (mode of life, labor and leisure), thereby forming a space of mythology of everyday life. It is noted that the area of leisure contains a great potential for the manifestation of mythological components. Mythology of ev­eryday life appears in the role of an important component of social mythology, adapting the individual and society to a more familiar and understandable per­ception of social transformation. It is concluded that everyday life is a dynamic attribute of social being, largely due to its ability to accumulate contemporary myths, which open up new ideas and meanings for human life and social activity.

Social Mapping of Megalopolis Space: Micro-Districts as Places of Residence, Places of Labor and Places of Leisure Activities

The article presents the results of studying the functions of urban micro-districts according to their residents’ assessments. We did a mapping of urban space based on a population survey conducted in Yekaterinburg (n = 3570) and developed a composite ratings method. The rating of micro-districts as places of residence included the residents’ satisfaction with different aspects of life; emotional attitude towards micro-districts; choosing the best residential micro-district in the city. The rating of microdistricts as places of labor included such indicators as popularity of the micro-district as a place of labor among the working respondents; the number of facilities in close proximity to the workplace that are used by working citizens; stability when it comes to choosing the micro-district as a workplace. The rating of micro-districts as places of leisure activities was based on the ratings of shopping centers (SC) and leisure areas (LA). We analyzed that portion of respondents who marked SC/LA as frequently visited; the number of micro-districts where visitors come to SC/LA from; the proportion of citizens coming to SC/LA from other micro-districts. The results of the study suggest that there are both multifunctional and mono-functional districts. The central micro-district is considered by residents to be the most attractive in regards to all functions. We identified the controversial tendencies for developing and perceiving urban space, which arise in the aftermath of planned industrial development. We came to the conclusion that modern processes of citizens’ and enterprises’ self-organization have given rise to the compensatory ‘redefinition’ of urban space, which manifests itself in the increasing functional and symbolic value of the city center and a growing number of new (non-industrial) second-tier centers.

«Топофилия» и «топофобия»:к феноменологии пространственного опыта

The research is dedicated to the critical comparison of two phenomenological strategies that elaborate the issue of space (G. Bachelard’s and D. Trigg’s), and link the placement in space with the emotional and bodily experience and the ca­pacity of human to extend beyond. Phenomenological descriptions of the spacial experience indicate the deeply emotional colouring of human attitude towards place, that implies searching for one’s “own place in the world”, or a home. The article develops the idea that the relationship between the human and the space (or the way the body perceives the space) can be conceptualized through the concepts of topophilia and topophobia. This explanation has existential ground, and it has to deal with poetic imagination, hope and anxiety. The con­cepts of the friendly/unfriendly landscape or environment cannot be reduced to the personal or subjective judgement on its ergonomics, but it also cannot be limited to the constructive characteristics and pecularities of some place per­ceived as a “workspace”, “leisure area” etc. The friendliness of the space as such can be comprehended through the phenomenological description of bodily expe­rience and the corresponding research of topophilia and topophobia, which should be treated not as psychological diagnosis or concrete attitudes of con­sciousness, but as phenomena, which are revealing itself in the world. Phe­nomenology of bodily presence in space can be seen as a prolific method, that could provide the descriptions of experience, which are necessary for implemen­tation of “the right of the city” (H. Lefebvre).

Structural relationships among occupational dysfunction, stress coping, and occupational participation for healthcare workers.

Occupational dysfunction is frequent among healthcare workers, but little is known about factors related to occupational participation and stress coping behavior among healthcare workers. This cross-sectional study aimed to analyze structural relationships among occupational dysfunction, stress coping, and occupational participation in healthcare workers. Participants were 601 healthcare workers in 13 facilities. Data were collected with participant profile, Classification and Assessment of Occupational Dysfunction (CAOD), Coping Scale (CS), and Self-completed Occupational Performance Index (SOPI). Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, item response theory (IRT), confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), correlation analysis, and path analysis. CFAs of CAOD, CS, and SOPI indicated good fit to the predicted models. In IRT, CAOD and SOPI showed conformity, but two items of CS showed nonconformity. The correlation between CAOD-SOPI was high to moderate (-0.486 to -0.246; p < 0.001), whereas that between CAOD and emotion-focused coping was weakly negative. SOPI and CS were negatively associated with occupational dysfunction (p < 0.000). This model demonstrated that SOPI and CS had a negative structural relationship with occupational dysfunction. Therefore, it seems important to encourage occupational participation (in the areas of self-care, productivity, and leisure) to reduce occupational dysfunction in healthcare workers.

Влияние повседневности на частоту самоубийств

&lt;p&gt;В статье представлен авторский подход к изучению влияния повседневности на частоту самоубийств. Повседневность рассматривается в качестве фактора самоубийства, комплексно отражающего социально-экономические условия. Анализируется соотношение основных видов повседневной деятельности (труда, быта и досуга) с позиций концепций суицидального поведения.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Показано, что для повседневной жизни работающих по найму свойственен типический конфликт работы и остальной (личной, семейной и общественной) жизни, или рабочего и внерабочего времени. Этот конфликт — решающий фактор суицидальных проявлений. Увеличение продолжительности рабочего времени, с одной стороны, структурирует жизнь, предупреждая скуку и тревогу, с другой — препятствует удовлетворению обыденных потребностей. В свою очередь, продолжительность видов деятельности во внерабочее время отражает тесноту связи с другими людьми (фактор снижения риска самоубийства), а также социальную изоляцию и одиночество (факторы повышения риска самоубийства). Анализируется схема функциональной организации целенаправленного поведения в повседневной жизни: «работа — остальная жизнь».&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Выдвигается основная гипотеза исследования: использование времени в сферах труда, быта и досуга работающими по найму оказывает значимое влияние на частоту самоубийств при данных общих социально-экономических условиях. Также формулируются гипотезы-следствия, которые позволяют развить исследование.&lt;/p&gt;

Occupational Therapy Interventions Supporting Leisure and Social Participation for Older Adults With Low Vision: A Systematic Review.

Evidence supports interventions for social participation for older adults with low vision. This systematic review examined the evidence for interventions within the scope of occupational therapy practice to maintain, restore, and improve performance and quality of life in leisure and social participation for older adults with low vision. MEDLINE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, OTseeker, and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews were searched for articles published from January 2010 to March 2017 that described interventions within the scope of occupational therapy practice for older adults with low vision (mean age 55+). Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols (PRISMA-P) guidelines were followed and applied for this review. Exclusion criteria included publications outside of the period of the study, participants with mean age <55 yr, and interventions outside the occupational therapy scope of practice. The search yielded 455 articles, of which 3 Level III studies met the inclusion criteria. Low evidence with high risk of bias was found for interventions supporting social participation. Group therapy, more hours of direct service over a shorter duration, and fitting with low vision devices resulted in improvements in social participation and other outcomes. Little evidence exists to support occupational therapy interventions in the areas of leisure and social participation. More research is needed in these areas. There continues to be a need for research studies in the areas of leisure and social participation.

Estrategias de integración urbana en contextos de informalidad y avance de la inseguridad

The promotion of urban integration in sectors characterized by the encroachment of drug trafficking poses particular challenges including avoidance of its expansion and existing segregation. In accordance with hypotheses of social and tactical urbanism and in pursuit of the improvement and revaluation of public space, this paper investigates the synergic relationships between segregation, security, drug trafficking, public space and citizen engagement, based on the characterization and critical analysis of a comprehensive intervention model designed for sectors with these characteristics in the city of Cordoba (Argentina). From this approach, feasible design and management tools to be implemented in neighborhoods with similar situations are presented and offered as a possible intervention model. Its application articulated to integral processes realizes that, in the face of the loss of value of educational and productive spaces, sports and leisure areas are effective ways of advancing in viable processes of integration in our cities. This implies a valorization of cultural variables and the participation of citizens in solving problems, in order to enhance the development of better integrative urban policies.

BRIDGE – ORANGE HEADQUARTERS – EAST AND WEST BRIDGES

AbstractAt the top of Bridge building, the architect designed two crossings between opposing structural blocks, creating unique and privileged workspaces. They form the main structure of the various levels of roofs and give support to gardens, leisure areas and large glazed skylights. They are independent structural pieces supported by the building structure. This article addresses the solutions used as well as the cantilever construction method that has been implemented given the central and elevated location on site.

Contribution to the Knowledge of Temperature and Reservoir Depth of Sulphurous Groundwater Aquifer Systems in the Dão River Basin, Portugal

The sulphurous groundwater aquifer systems of the Dão River basin in Portugal have been the subject of studies by some authors, as there are several Medical Spas, where over time there has been a need to increase their flow rates to guarantee more available mineral water and better quality. It is known that those waters resurface with anomalous temperatures, and that they are associated with very deep aquifer systems where the reservoir temperature is relatively high. Thus, the present work aims to contribute to the knowledge of the reservoir temperature and its depth, in the sense of taking to the planning of construction of deep wells, so that their results to be favourable, allow energy utilization, that function of the temperatures to be obtained, can allow from the production of electricity, to heating of buildings, heating of domestic water, to aqua-ludic uses in medical spas and leisure areas. After presenting the generic aspects of geomorphology, geology, climatic elements, and global conceptualization from the numerical models of the Dão River basin, the results of physical-chemical analyses of groundwater are presented. It should be noted that the groundwaters with the greatest geothermal potential are associated with deep aquifer systems, semi-confined to confined, fissured type (very localized), with sulphurous water, with pH values higher than 8.0, conductivity above 350 μS/cm, and surface temperatures between 15.7 and 50.9°C. It is important noting the occurrence of five main sectors with geothermal potential, which from upstream to downstream of the river basin are: Cavaca, Sezures, Alcafache, Sangemil and Granjal. By applying geothermal thermometers, in the results of physical-chemical analyses of the groundwaters of those sectors, the reservoir temperatures were obtained between 92 and 116°C and also reservoir depths generally greater than 2200m.

The assessment of the suburbanisation degree of Warsaw Functional Area using changes of the land development structure

Abstract The paper presents the analysis of spatial suburbanization using a multi-indicator method. Based on features related to geodetic areas (according to the directions of their use) such as built-up areas, urbanised lands, arable lands, residential, recreation and leisure areas, road transport areas as well agricultural and forest areas transformed into local land development plans - six suburbanization indicators were developed. After the standardisation of such indicators, a summary index was obtained making it possible to determine the suburbanization degree. The validation of the proposed method was made by comparing individual municipalities with the unit type determined using the Webb method. The analysis made it clear that the only four units with spatial features of the city lying in the proximity of Warsaw, for which Polish capital could be enlarged are: Piastów, Pruszków, Marki, Józefów and possibly Sulejówek.

The Influence and Integrated Governance Planning of Coal Mining Subsidence Areas in Hegang City

In this paper, the impact of coal mining subsidence on geological ecology, road traffic, shantytown renovation and industrial park production and construction is analyzed. With the goal of promoting economic development, ensuring farmers’ income and improving the ecological environment, the three innovative concepts of economic engine, people’s livelihood security, and urban green lungs’ comprehensive management plan for coal mining subsidence area are put forward. On this basis, the zoning integrated governance planning strategy of “one corridor and four districts” is expounded, namely, ecological cycle industry corridor, sightseeing and tourism area, ecological agriculture area, modern industrial area and landscape leisure area. The implementation measures of integrated control programming are discussed from the aspects of state funds or policy support and corporate performance obligations, in order to provide reference for the integrated governance planning of coal mining subsidence in Hegang city.

Brick masonry industrial chimneys: assessment, evaluation and intervention.

Masonry chimneys were key elements of post-industrial factory buildings. Built on a large scale in Portugal from the nineteenth century, factory buildings have been in use until the beginning of the twentieth century, afterwards being progressively abandoned, transformed or demolished. During this degradation process, the industrial chimneys are often separated from other structures and become isolated elements, i.e. sculptures to the memory of the site's past activity. Moreover, although most of these industries and chimneys were located outside ordinary living areas, they are actually surrounded by dwellings or placed inside leisure areas. This new framework demands safety evaluations of the chimneys, which involve preliminary on-site surveys. This work shows the analysis of the geometric and material data from on-site surveys and dynamic identification procedures carried out on 10 industrial brick masonry chimneys. In particular, it establishes correlations between the chimneys geometrical and mechanical characteristics and proposes simple procedures to help designers to assess the safety conditions of these chimneys and evaluate eventual reinforcement needs. This article is part of the theme issue 'Environmental loading of heritage structures'.

Understanding Belonging and Community Connection for Seniors Living in the Suburbs

While much has been explored about notions of both place and belonging in regard to community health of various populations, little is known of the phenomena specific to suburban dwelling seniors. More and more seniors are living in suburban neighborhoods, communities that do not tend well to the belonging needs of this population. This qualitative study sought the perspectives of suburban dwelling seniors about the role of belonging and community connection to their health and wellbeing. Informed by strengths-based approaches to community development and health, the study engaged people from three community groups of older adults in a Canadian suburb (a seniors’ recreational/social group, and two cultural groups) in group interviews concerning the topic. Discoveries included an understanding of belonging as both personal and social, and identification of facilitators and barriers to belonging at personal and systemic levels. Belonging was experienced through connection, contribution and cooperation. These findings are important to shape community engagement with seniors and to inform decision-making and program developments in areas of recreation, leisure, health services, community policing, city planning and other services.

TRANSFORMATION OF SPHERE OF ENTERTAINMENT IN CONDITIONS OF INFORMATION SOCIETY: SOCIAL-PEDAGOGICAL ASPECTS

Abstract. Сulture сhanges, taking place under the influence of the transition to the information society, cause a transformation of the economic, political, cultural and other areas. Establishing the culture of the informational epoch has affected the restructuring of the social relations system, which in the general cultural context affects the social formation of social actors, in particular in the field of leisure. Therefore, there is a necessity to research socio-pedagogical aspect of the leisure sphere transformation under the influence formation of the information society culture. To reach the research goals, it’s advisable to use the following methods: theoretical − analysis, generalisation and systematisation, which revealed the social and educational aspects field of leisure transformation under conditions of an information society. Analysis of current research makes it possible to determine the «leisure» as a historical and socio-cultural phenomenon, based on meeting the recreational needs of the relevant activities of social actors in their spare time in a specially created space-institutional environment. Today the leisure sector is being transformated under the influence of a culture information civilization and obtaines the special features (ability to meet the needs of leisure activities of social actors, the ability to provide a variety of individual preferences according to the age, sex, social status, social situation of others; regulation leisure areas; integration and cultural predilection). On the basis of features leisure areas and features of a culture of information society defined trend (expansion of entertainment with the renewal and transformation of the information environment, which is the focus of active leisure, the internet is a means of entertainment, there is virtualisation leisure; leisure needs of social subjects beyond ordinary social space and acquire characteristics of globalization; transformation of forms and kinds of leisure; new elements appear and the characteristics and leisure activities; the emergence of the leisure risks), which directly affect the implementation of leisure activities of social actors in information civilization.

Lazer, bairro e escola no depoimento de jovens protagonistas de violência

Este trabalho tem por objetivo compreender os modos de inserção social de jovens protagonistas de violência em espaços de estadas cotidianas, como o bairro, os locais de lazer e a escola. Foram realizadas entrevistas focais com dois grupos de jovens matriculados em duas escolas públicas localizadas em bairros da periferia urbana empobrecida de uma cidade do interior de São Paulo e, pelas próprias escolas, considerados como protagonistas de violência. As regularidades discursivas presentes nos depoimentos foram analisadas. Os depoimentos apontaram que os modos de inserção social dos jovens trazem marcas acentuadas que são decorrentes da moradia em um conjunto de bairros que concentra, de acordo com dados do Censo de 2010, 7% da população do município, e que tais marcas adentram todos os locais de estada cotidiana, inclusive a escola. Os jovens, contudo, parecem desconsiderar as determinações externas que configuram as características dos locais que frequentam e as estadas em comum, o que dificulta o estabelecimento de vínculos que favoreçam a sua agregação e resistência às situações que vivem.

Avaliação pós-ocupação aplicada ao espaço público: o caso do Campo Fredolino Chimango da cidade de Passo Fundo/RS

O processo de urbanização, consequente do aumento populacional nas cidades, incitou a necessidade de um maior planejamento ao que se refere à infraestrutura urbana. Neste sentido, o período higienista surgiu com o objetivo de inserir áreas livres arborizadas, que auxiliassem na melhoria da ambiência da cidade. Os espaços livres, importantes estruturadores da forma urbana, passaram a oportunizar vitalidade e apoio aos usuários que o usufruem, e auxiliar na qualificação do entorno. A partir deste contexto, o presente trabalho promoveu uma análise no Campo Fredolino Chimango da cidade de Passo Fundo/RS, espaço de lazer focado na prática esportiva. A pesquisa qualitativa aplicada a este estudo vinculou-se à problemática de pós-uso de um equipamento público, baseando-se em dados bibliográficos e observações obtidas in loco, para compreender a organização dos fluxos externos e internos ao local, dos equipamentos e mobiliários urbanos, bem como a qualidade vegetativa no espaço em questão. Levando em consideração esses aspectos, buscou-se promover análises morfológicas aliadas à percepção do usuário acerca do espaço por meio de uma Análise Pós-Ocupação. Como resultados, pôde-se observar a falta de atrativos qualificados no local, a falta de manutenção dos mobiliários do playground e aparelhos de ginástica. Por outro lado, a arborização do espaço é apontada como agradável aos usuários por fornecer sombreamento no perímetro do campo. Após estes diagnósticos, percebeu-se a predominância de uma faixa etária jovem que busca por um espaço de tranquilidade e, ao mesmo tempo, a prática de exercícios físicos. Assim, este estudo inicial voltado ao entendimento do pós-uso do Campo Fredolino Chimango, contribui com a discussão referente ao uso e apropriação de espaços públicos, bem como seu papel estruturador da forma urbana, capaz de promover manifestações dos usuários como participantes ativos da cidade.

Feature Comparison of Hotel Reviews by Hotel Type using Dependency Graph

When making a hotel reservation on a private or business trip, users use accommodation reservation websites and use hotel reviews posted on websites as supporting information. While there are a variety of review comments posted on hotel reservation websites, comments differ in content, depending on the difference of users’ purposes, such as a stay in a business area or that in a leisure area. Although there is a reported method that extracts feature representations from review comments in business areas, it is necessary to verify whether feature representations corresponding to each area characteristic can be extracted in accordance with the difference of areas. In the present study, we first graphed impression comments using co-occurrence restrictions and dependency structures employed by the previously reported method and then extracted feature representations by clustering the graph. By applying this method to each of the business area and the leisure area, we extracted the feature representations and the cluster distribution ratios, both of which differ between the two areas. This enabled us to present the order of importance of the decision-making factors for users when they select hotel accommodations in each area.