Park Characteristics Research Articles

THE FORMIG OF INDUSTRIAL AND NATIONAL NATURAL PARKS NETWORKS IN UKRAINE BASED ON THE PRINCIPLES FOR RESPONSIBLE INVESTMENT

The necessity of the forming and development of industrial and national natural parks networks in Ukraine in accordance with the leading world initiative for responsible investment PRI is proved in article. Both types of parks are among the most effective options for organizational solutions to the problem of attracting «green» and socially responsible investments into the country’s economy. The activity of national nature parks in Ukraine on the example of the Halytsky National Park and the Skole Beskids is investigated. At the same time, if national parks are created in order to promote ecologically balanced development; the main purpose of industrial parks is connected first of all with increase of economic efficiency of attracting investment in various directions of business activity. Considering the common features of parks as organizational forms of territorial integration of economy, environment and society, as well as instruments of attraction of investments, the directions of strengthening of their role in achieving the Sustainable development goals till 2030 in Ukraine are offered. Along with the problem of the development of the industrial parks network and the formation of the national natural parks network, the idea of a «functional intersection» of these networks is justified in order to search for the new opportunities for socially and environmentally responsible investment. General practical recommendations on improvement of functions for strategic planning, stimulation and monitoring of social and ecological activity in the territory of industrial and national parks according to the Principles for Responsible Investment are worked out. Namely settlement of issues of property on natural resources and recreational facilities; owners interest and initiative on attraction of «green» investment; ensuring an integrated approach — when monitoring measures on social and environmental activities in the park networks; development of an unified information resource where data on any activities of business entities and all stakeholders in the framework of the functioning and development of the park networks is collected and analyzed etc.

Natural versus human drivers of plant diversity in urban parks and the anthropogenic species-area hypotheses

Natural and human drivers both drive novel assemblages of native and non-native plants in urban vegetation, but they are often studied separately. We studied both planted and spontaneously-established plants in urban parks to understand how natural and human drivers co-determine urban plant assemblages. Vascular plants in 78 Taipei City parks covering 336.6 ha were surveyed through a complete sweep of all vegetation. Park typologies were defined using nonmetric multidimensional scaling of 1149 species and park characteristics. NMS1 was defined by planted species and was most related to park-size: Small community-parks had a low diversity of shade-trees and small shrubs/ornamental-plants; Large multifunctional parks had the highest plant diversity. NMS2 was defined by spontaneously-established species and determined by vertical structure: Natural forest remnants were structurally the most complex, hosted many spontaneously-established native shrub- and epiphyte-layer species, and had the highest native diversity; City beautification parks had the simplest structure and low planted diversity, but hosted a high richness of spontaneously-established herbaceous plants, many of them non-natives. Alternative “anthropogenic versions” of various species-area hypotheses were proposed. Although landscape designers are the dominant drivers of plant composition in urban parks, the variety of artificially-created habitat structures provided the settings upon which natural ecological processes of spontaneous establishment could unfold. Landscape architects could enhance native species persistence by providing a diversity of habitat structures, using natural elements and a higher abundance of native herbaceous species, and ensuring potential habitats for native herbaceous and epiphyte species in urban greenspaces are effectively connected to their natural populations.

Contributions of human and environmental factors to concerns of personal safety and crime in urban parks

Human and environmental fear-evoking factors discourage park visitation and degrade recreational experience and enjoyment. Planners and managers have often ignored these critical issues. We conducted a questionnaire survey of 872 park users in eight urban parks in Hong Kong, representing different design, size, and socio-demographic and physical characteristics of the neighborhoods. Perception of personal safety and related park traits were examined. Landscape design and management were the most influential factors in inducing fearful feelings. Visitor-related concerns were more important than inherent park characteristics. The identified causative factors could contribute to crime prevention through environmental design to inventory safe and unsafe features in parks and develop targeted alternatives and solutions.

The contribution of national parks to human health and well-being: Visitors' perceived benefits of Wuyishan National Park

The impact of the park's natural landscape, ecological services, and available activities and facilities had a positive effect on participants' physical health, mental well-being, and social relationships. A questionnaire survey was conducted to evaluate how national parks affect visitor health and well-being in China's Wuyishan National Park. Six park features that significantly influenced participants' perceptions of their park visit, namely 1) refreshing aromatic notes of natural and floral scents (smell); 2) transcendent horizons yielding sunrises, sunsets, and starry skies (sight); 3) pleasing light patterns and sun-dappled areas (sight); 4) a comfortable cool and temperate climate (feel); 5) stimulating recreational facilities that promote physical activities (activity); and 6) convenient outdoor amenities that enhance moments of leisure (relaxation). Among the participants' responses, “convenient outdoor amenities that enhance moments of leisure” had the most significant impact on physical and mental health recovery. “Stimulating recreational facilities that promote physical activities” had the greatest impact on the improvement of participants' social relationships. Impact varied according to the age and occupation of the respondents. Groups of urban residents that had spent 2–3 days in the park also had positive responses to the park experience.

Do green park characteristics influence human-wildlife distance in arboreal squirrels?

As an increasing number of wildlife are colonizing urban areas, how to control human-wildlife interactions has been a pivotal challenge in wildlife management and urban planning alike. Close human-wildlife proximity and associated behaviors such as flight initiation distance (FID; the distance at which animals initiate escape from approaching humans) is one of many important ecological elements underlying direct human-wildlife interaction. However, how habitat features in urban areas affect human-wildlife distance is still virtually unknown. Understanding the key factors of urban habitats that influence flight distance would provide important insights for improving both wildlife and park management. Using the Eurasian red squirrel, Sciurus vulgaris, we examined how urban green park characteristics influence variation of two flight distances: FID and vertical escape distance (VED; the height at which target animals stop climbing in the tree after escape) among parks. We found that park features such as the intensity of artificial feeding, the proportion of green space, tree density, and the density of recreational equipment influenced FID and VED. Particularly, high feeding intensity decreased FID and VED, while high green space, high tree density, and high density of recreational equipment increased FID and VED. Our results suggest that manipulating environmental characteristics is an effective method to control human-wildlife interactions, which could be implemented in park management.

Seasonal variations of park visitor volume and park service area in Tokyo: A mixed-method approach combining big data and field observations

Urban green and open space are important components of achieving the goal of planning sustainable cities, by offering health benefits to urban dwellers and providing socio-economic and environmental benefits to society. Recent literature studied the usage of urban parks, however, few has addressed seasonal fluctuations of park visitor volume, let alone seasonal variations of home-park travel distances and park service areas. This paper not only empirically shows the seasonal variations of park visits but also examines links between the park visit patterns and spatial characteristics of the case parks. Applying spatial analysis methods to location data of over 1 million anonymous mobile phone samples collected from January to December 2011, we analyzed the seasonal variations in six medium-sized urban parks, of which size falls under the category of ‘district parks,’ in central Tokyo. We also conducted content analysis of a Japanese place review website to understand visitor perceptions of the case parks. On the other hand, park spatial characteristics data were collected and summarized through various ways including field observation and satellite image analysis. The results show that (1) while notable seasonal variations of park visitor volume and park service area existed in all case parks, the degree of variation also differed from park to park; (2) spatial characteristics of parks were closely interlinked to seasonal cultural events, to visitor perceptions, and consequently to seasonal fluctuations of the park visit patterns. Lessons learned from the policy perspective include highly diverse user groups visit these medium-sized urban parks than what the typical guidelines assume, and seasonal patterns of their visits considerably vary from park to park, interacting with spatial characteristics of the parks. Hence, the urban park planning process should consider specific and detailed characteristics of parks and allocate resources to respond to dynamic park visit patterns beyond generic guidelines.

Analysis of The Characteristics And Potential of The Park's Energy Consumption Based On Typical Energy Usage Scenarios

This paper analyzes the main energy use scenarios of typical parks and studies the energy use characteristics of industrial parks, commercial complexes, and transportation hubs. By superimposing the energy consumption period and characteristics of large, medium and small users in the park, the overall energy consumption characteristics of the park and the typical load characteristics in summer and winter are studied, which helps to improve energy consumption behavior and increase energy ratio. In addition, in view of the superimposed energy consumption characteristics of the park, the article proposes two energy-saving methods to help the park use the peak-valley effect to reduce energy consumption.

Edutainment Centers as an Educational Phenomenon. The Case of KidZania

Edutainment centers, i. e. centers that both educate and entertain, have sprung up across the globe since the 1970s. At the end of the 20th century, a new type of such centers emerged: theme parks for children, KidZania being the first of its kind and the most global one. Through the example of KidZania, this study examines the characteristics of theme parks that have made them popular among children and their parents as well as the role of such parks in today’s urban learning ecosystems. The paper also explores how the relationship between entertainment and education and the one between the commercial and educational components of edutainment centers affect the current state and development prospects of the sector.

ГЕОЭКОЛОГИЧЕСКИЕ ФАКТОРЫ РАЗВИТИЯ ЭКОТУРИЗМА И РЕКРЕАЦИОННОГО ПОТЕНЦИАЛА НАЦИОНАЛЬНЫХ ПАРКОВ ТУРЦИИ

Geoecology refers to the interdisciplinary areas of tourism that cover the largest audience. Each subject has its own geoecological features, which make it possible to form various types of tourism. As a bridge between Europe and Asia, Turkey contains many geoecological factors that contribute to the development of tourism and has much to offer visitors. The country is rich in mountain ranges and valleys, lakes, rivers, waterfalls and caves, ideal for winter and summer tourism. In addition, Turkey has many hot springs, healing waters and mud baths, which are recommended as a remedy for many diseases. Due to this, Turkey is considered one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. The study of geoecological factors of the development of recreation in the territory of the national parks of Turkey makes it possible to reveal the tourist and recreational potential of the studied territory. In this regard, the purpose of the work is to analyze the geoecological features of the national parks of Turkey. The paper uses comparative and descriptive methods of analyzing the scientific literature on the problems of research, as well as the method of determining the main geoecological factors of tourism development within the study areas. In the course of the expedition trips, the material was collected to analyze the current recreational and tourist development of the territory. The use of cartographic methods of analysis, as well as the analysis of expedition materials, allowed us to describe in sufficient detail the main geoecological features of the territory, which allow us to develop various types of recreation and tourism. On the territory of the Turkish national parks, quite diverse and unique geoecological conditions have developed, which allow for the development of a wide range of types of tourism and recreation. Taking into account the already developed tourist infrastructure, more attention should be paid to the protection of the natural environment and the development of eco-friendly forms of tourism.

Park and Landscape Features Influence Urban Park Soundscapes

Park and Landscape Features Influence Urban Park Soundscapes

Factors Affecting Users’ Satisfaction with Urban Parks through Online Comments Data: Evidence from Shenzhen, China

It is essential to give full consideration to the potential barriers facing urban parks from their better functions and meeting residents’ needs in terms of collective perception and satisfaction. This paper presents the methods of using social media (Dianping) data to investigate the potential factors affecting people’s satisfaction with urban parks in Shenzhen, China. Textual analysis and sentiment analysis make it feasible to identify the factors influencing people’s experience in parks. By measuring emotions towards these factors, a multiple linear regression model helps to explore the relationships between the factors and people’s satisfaction, and among them, determines the key ones. The results present the nine key factors of urban parks that affect the users’ satisfaction, in addition to the common factors by previous studies including park size, vegetation, recreation facility, landscape visual effect, maintenance of facilities and plants, and environment cleanliness. A series of contextual factors also significantly influence people’s satisfaction, such as sign system, mosquito and air quality. Among these, sign system has the strongest influence. The results increase the understanding of the human-urban park relationship and identify the characteristics of urban parks that facilitate the degree of satisfaction promotion. Our findings may provide the managerial guidelines for planners and decision-makers to optimize people’s imperative qualities of urban life.

Children’s ratings of park features that encourage park visitation, physical activity and social interaction

Social interaction and physical activity are of paramount importance to children’s health and development and parks are one setting where children can be active and interact with others. However, the specific features of parks that promote or support physical activity and social interaction are not well-understood. The aim of this study was to examine the perceived importance of a selection of park features for encouraging park visitation, park-based physical activity and social interaction among children. Participants (n = 272, 9.6 ± 1.1 years, 51 % female) attending primary schools in Melbourne, Australia completed a survey during school time. They rated (from 1 to 10) digital images of 42 park features according to how much each feature would make them want to “visit the park”, “be active in the park” and “be with other people in the park”. Mean rating scores were calculated for the whole sample, and separately for males and females. For each condition (visit, active, social), each feature was then assigned a ranking from 1 to 42 (1 representing highest mean rating score). A large adventure playground was the highest rated image for all three outcomes. The next highest rated images were: a giant slide and interactive areas for park visitation; an obstacle course and giant slide for park-based physical activity; and interactive areas and an obstacle course for social interaction. Many differences in ratings were observed by gender, highlighting the importance of considering all demographic groups. This study reveals important perspectives from children about which park features should be prioritised in park design to encourage them to visit parks and to be active and social during their park visits. This evidence will inform planners and urban designers to create parks that better suit the needs of children, particularly in relation to social interaction and physical activity.

Detecting the Cool Island Effect of Urban Parks in Wuhan: A City on Rivers.

As a nature-based solution, development of urban blue-green spaces is widely accepted for mitigating the urban heat island (UHI) effect. It is of great significance to determine the main driving factors of the park cool island (PCI) effect for optimizing park layout and achieving a maximum cooling benefit of urban parks. However, there have been obviously controversial conclusions in previous studies due to varied case contexts. This study was conducted in Wuhan, a city with high water coverage, which has significant differences in context with the previous case cities. The PCI intensity and its correlation with park characteristics were investigated based on remote sensing data. The results indicated that 36 out of 40 urban parks expressed a PCI effect, with a PCI intensity of 0.08~7.29 °C. As expected, larger parks with enough width had stronger PCI intensity. An increased density of hardened elements in a park could significantly weaken PCI effect. Noticeably, in this study, water bodies in a park contributed the most to the PCI effect of urban parks, while the vegetated areas showed a negative impact on the PCI intensity. It implied that in a context with higher water coverage, the cooling effect of vegetation was weakened or even masked by water bodies, due to the interaction effect of different variables on PCI intensity.

Gender Differences in Physical Activity Associated with Urban Neighborhood Parks: Findings from the National Study of Neighborhood Parks.

Urban neighborhood parks are designed to provide easy access to recreation and physical activity. We analyzed data from the first National Study of Neighborhood Parks, which assessed the characteristics and use of a representative sample of U.S. urban neighborhood parks. This article compares factors associated with active commuting (e.g., walking) to parks among men and women and park characteristics associated with observed moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) within neighborhood parks. We used systematic direct observation to quantify parks visitors of all ages in 162 U.S. neighborhood parks in 25 cities in 2016 and surveyed a sample of adult visitors (877 women and 793 men). We used descriptive statistics to identify park facilities, amenities, and park management practices associated with park use. We also conducted multivariate regressions to identify factors most closely associated with observed park-based MVPA among all age groups and with self-reported levels of active commuting to parks among adults. Reasons to visit parks varied by gender, with women more likely than men to bring children (59% vs 42% for men; p<.001), and men more likely than women to go to parks to relax (38% vs 29%; p=.01). Bringing children to parks was associated with more motorized transport among women, but not among men. Active commuting to parks was associated with living closer to parks (β=-0.92; p<.0001), a greater frequency of park use (β=0.99; p<.0001), and the park having a working drinking fountain (β=0.62; p=.01), with no significant differences between men and women. Men and boys used park facilities very differently than women and girls. Men and boys engaged in the most MVPA in soccer fields, gyms, and skate parks, whereas for women and girls the top three sites were pools, playgrounds, and walking paths. Significant gender differences in why men and women visit parks and how parks are used likely reflect cultural determinants of gender roles. Our findings suggest that park management practices should be adjusted to mitigate the lower use of parks and lower levels of park-based MVPA among women and girls compared with men and boys.

Parental preference for park attributes related to children’s use of parks in low-income, racial/ethnic diverse neighborhoods

Public parks offer free and easy to access spaces for outdoor recreation, which is essential for children’s outdoor play and physical activity in low-income communities. Because parks and playgrounds contribute to children’s physical, social, and emotional development, it is critical to understand what makes them attractive and welcoming for families with young children. Parents can be a key determinant to children visiting parks, with their preferences influencing whether or not families visit parks in their neighborhoods. Past studies have posited there are significant differences across racial/ethnic populations in preferred park characteristics, but few have investigated specific park attributes parents from different racial and ethnic groups desire for their children. This study examined attributes associated with parental preferences for parks in low-income diverse communities in New York City, New York and Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina, USA.&#x0D; Parents’ responses were grouped into 10 categories using content analysis, with four key preference themes identified: physical attributes, experiences, social environment, and amenities. Physical attributes (i.e., playgrounds, sports fields, green spaces) were most desired among all groups. A significant difference across race/ethnic groups was found in New York but not in Raleigh-Durham. In New York, Latino parents had a strong preference for experience attributes (i.e. safety, safe facilities, cleanliness) which differed from other groups. Examining Latino parents in both cities we found no significant difference between cities. Although there is no one-size-fits-all approach to encourage park use, our finding suggests facilities and park safety are modifiable ways local government agencies could design and maintain parks that would be preferred by parents for their children. Future research should examine how neighborhood context may influence parent preferences related to parks.&#x0D; Parents’ responses were grouped into 10 categories using content analysis, with four key preference themes identified. A significant difference across race/ethnic groups was found in New York but not in Raleigh-Durham. Examining Latino parents in both cities we found no significant difference between cities. Physical attributes (i.e., playgrounds, sports fields, green spaces) were most desired among all groups. In New York, Latino parents had a strong preference for Experience attributes (i.e. safety, safe facilities, cleanliness) which differed from other groups. Future research should examine how neighborhood context may influence parent preferences related to parks and children’s physical activity.

Critical factors influencing adolescents’ active and social park use: A qualitative study using walk-along interviews

Parks are important public resources that offer opportunities to be physically active and connect socially. However, parks are not well attended by adolescents, and limited research exists to inform optimal park design to increase adolescents’ park visits and support active and social park use. This study aimed to gain in-depth insights into park characteristics that are important for influencing park visitation, park-based physical activity and social interaction among adolescents. Participants (n = 34, aged 13–18 years, 41.2 % female) were recruited from diverse neighbourhoods in Melbourne, Australia. Walk-along interviews were conducted in nine pre-selected parks, where researchers and participants walked together during the interview. The interviews were audio-taped, transcribed verbatim and analysed using content analysis. The most commonly mentioned characteristics for encouraging park visitation were: the presence of natural features; sports features (e.g., sports courts); playgrounds; aesthetics/condition; and location. The presence of sports features, fitness equipment, walking/cycling paths, playgrounds and green open space were the most frequently mentioned features for encouraging park-based physical activity. The most commonly mentioned features for encouraging socialising when at the park were: presence of barbecue/picnic areas; sports features; seating; organised events; and shade/shelter. Female adolescents more commonly mentioned safety and the presence of playgrounds, and males more commonly noted sports features, size and location as being important for park visitation. Adolescents also considered social factors, such as accompaniment and peer influence, as being critical for encouraging them to visit the park. Many park features were important for all behaviours. For example, sports features were most commonly mentioned as being important for encouraging adolescents’ park visitation and active and social park use. Stakeholders should consider these factors when (re)designing parks to ensure the parks appeal to this sub-population and encourage adolescents to visit and be active and social in this setting.

Research on the Spatial Composition and Features of Parks during the Period of Manchukuo

Research on the Spatial Composition and Features of Parks during the Period of Manchukuo

Heat Mitigation Effects of Urban Space based on the Characteristics of Parks and their Surrounding Environment

Heat Mitigation Effects of Urban Space based on the Characteristics of Parks and their Surrounding Environment

The influence of urban park characteristics on bird diversity in Nanjing, China

BackgroundHabitat loss, fragmentation and decrease of habitat quality caused by urbanization have led to a dramatic decline in biodiversity worldwide. For highly urbanized areas, parks have become “islands” or habitat fragments for wildlife. As an important indicator group of urban ecosystem health, the response of birds to urbanization has attracted the global attention of ecologists. Understanding the key factors affecting bird diversity in urbanized environment is crucial to the protection of biodiversity in urban ecosystems.MethodsWe used the line-transect method to survey birds in 37 urban parks in Nanjing, China. We also measured a number of park characteristics (area, isolation, shape index, environmental noise, distance to city center, and habitat diversity) that are commonly assumed to influence bird diversity. We then used the information-theoretic multi-model inference approach to determine which park characteristics had significant impacts on bird species richness.ResultsWe found that park area, habitat diversity and the distance to city center were the best positive predictors of bird species richness in Nanjing urban parks. By contrast, park isolation, park shape and environmental noise had little or no influence on bird diversity.ConclusionsOur study highlights the importance of park area, habitat diversity and the distance to city center in determining bird diversity in Nanjing city parks. Therefore, from a conservation viewpoint, we recommend that large parks with complex and diverse habitats far away from the city center should be retained or constructed to increase bird diversity in urban design and planning.

How Does Urban Park Affect People’s Health? An Empirical Study Based on Xiaoyaojin Park in Hefei

As one of the important forms of urban space, urban parks not only provide green space, but also support a variety of outdoor recreation activities. They play an important role in the life of urban residents’ sports, leisure and social interaction, and have great potential effect on promote people’s physical and mental health. This study used a questionnaire survey method, SF-12 health questionnaire was used to quantify the physical and mental health of park users. Satisfaction questionnaire was used to evaluate park users’ satisfaction with park characteristics. Multiple regression analysis was used to reveal the relationship between urban park and park users’ physical and mental health score. The results show that there is a positive correlation between the time of using the park, the satisfaction with the overall environment of the park and their scores of physical and mental health. Park users’ satisfaction with the activity facilities of the park is positively correlated with their physical health score, and their satisfaction with the plant landscape of the park is positively correlated with their mental health score. The conclusion shows that urban parks have a positive impact on people’s physical and mental health.