Recreational Spaces Research Articles

Hybrid Models in Natural Engineering Structure of the City

The article discusses the first hybrid urban planning model including different functional zones on the right bank of the Moskva River. Hybridization of indicators includes renovation of the Crimean embankment and Gorky Park into a single pedestrian zone. Integration of public, business and recreational spaces with park areas are integrated in a single route along the embankment between Gorky Park, Neskuchny Sad landscape park with the Vorobyovy Gory nature reserve. The other part of the hybrid model is formed from the Crimean embankment with Muzeon Park to the public and business space of the Red October, and in 2021, to the famous GES-2 after reconstruction. The total length of the route is currently about 10 km for walking and cycling with excellent views of water and natural areas. The article examines the properties of the first hybrid model, their impact on the sociocultural scenario of space as well as economic, aesthetic and environmental development of the central part of Moscow. However, not all properties of the new model are actively manifested and some have negative indicators, that reduces the integrated development of both the model and the objects in its structure. At the same time, at the present stage of urban development, special attention is paid to the management of urbanization and climate through technological solutions with the replacement of a sustainable natural component in the city. Design solutions of such sustainable projects can be successfully used in different climatic zones. In this context, the author raises the issue of preserving natural areas in the city and analyzes international experience in "hybridity" of properties in models. The proposed approach to climate changes and the sustainability of newly created hybrid models emphasizes objects in which green and blue technologies (for replenishing nature and using rainwater) develop and support both the object formation in the structure of hybrid models and stabilize the new natural engineering structure of the city

Urban recreational green spaces dynamics and implications in the Bonaberi Neighbourhood of Douala IV Municipality, Cameroon

Globally, urban recreational green spaces constitute a major environmental resource of urban landscapes. These greeneries are suffering from shrinkages and transformations due to pressures on more urban land needed for housing, commercial and industrial purposes and uncontrolled urbanization. This study was conducted to assess the spatiotemporal variations and extent of transformations within the urban green spaces and their associated implications in the Bonaberi neighbourhood of Douala IV Municipality. To achieve this, empirical data was collected through field visits, in-depth interviews with urban authorities and mapping of urban green spaces for 2003 and 2022. Two hundred inhabitants were purposively sampled while local council authorities and other stakeholders were interviewed in the Douala IV Municipality. This was complemented by secondary data obtained from the Douala Urban Council. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical techniques and results revealed that the rapid transformation and decrease of urban green spaces in terms of spatiotemporal nature is a function of expansion and uncontrolled urban settlements. The shrinkage in urban green spaces in the Douala IV municipality has resulted in loss of biodiversity, increase in urban heat islands, atmospheric pollution, unattractiveness of the environment, crimes, mental and physical health issues. This was x-rayed by the poorly arranged green spaces, littered with wastes and having multiple paths used by motorists, pedestrians and vendor activities. This study concludes that greeneries remain a vital environmental resource, thus, recommending effective application of planning policies to restrict their encroachment. Additionally, greeneries should be treated among the top priorities of the development agenda of urban planning authorities as enshrined in the Sustainable Development Goal 11.

Asymmetrical portrayal of gender within professional, recreational, and domestic spaces in locally developed Pakistani English Language Textbooks: A multimodal analysis

Language textbooks often include visual elements such as images that contribute significantly to the construction of gender ideologies which play a crucial role in shaping the worldview of language learners towards gender. While prior critically oriented studies on gender have contributed to our understanding of discourses that reproduce gender bias in the textual content of English language textbooks (ELT), there has been limited attention to multimodal features in the depiction of gender. Adopting van Leeuwen's socio-semantic inventory, the current study aims to contribute to this niche area by conducting a multimodal examination of gender portrayal in secondary-level English textbooks used across four provinces of Pakistan. Our findings indicate that both text and images contribute to the asymmetrical portrayal of gender within professional, recreational, and domestic spaces. These results underscore the need for a critical review of the textbooks by Pakistani ELT educational authorities in promoting a more balanced and equitable representation of gender in classroom materials.

University Population and Wildfire Risk: An Analysis of Perception-Based Variables and Geospatial Differences

This research presents a novel perspective on university students, staff, and faculty and their perception of risk concerning wildfires in the fire-prone US State of Idaho. Past studies have conducted resident surveys in high-risk communities to investigate what factors make homeowners more likely to engage in mitigation activities, increasing communities’ resiliency. Research on a population without property ownership and using the wildland-urban interface (WUI) as activity and recreation spaces is limited. The main hypothesis is that a university population will have different perception and awareness levels in perception-based variables when comparing students to staff/faculty in a traditional survey and geospatial analysis. This study investigates Boise State University’s population’s risk perception using an online survey and interactive spatial assessment to examine differences between associated and geographically allocated risk spaces. Findings from perception mapping, binomial regression, and geostatistical analysis contrast current literature with traditional residents’ surveys. The explorative geostatistical analysis reveals distinct allocation patterns of perceived risk not captured in survey questions. Overall, findings promote a better understanding of where risk and awareness are apparent and suggest that wildfire communication efforts should reach out to all users of the WUI.

LANDSCAPE ATTRACTIVENESS AND PLACE IDENTITY: CONSIDERING THE ROLE OF URBAN PARKS

Urban parks, vital public spaces for community health and well-being, also face challenges related to safety and security. Balancing the need for recreational spaces with ensuring safety is paramount for urban stability. However, existing research on the nexus between landscape attractiveness and perceived safety often overlooks the influence of factors such as park usage patterns, place identity, and park typologies. To address this research gap, we conducted a survey among 411 urban park users and employed SmartPLS and SPSS for data analysis. Our findings reveal a robust correlation between landscape attractiveness and perceived safety. Furthermore, we uncover that the combined influence of place identity and time spent in the park can serve as positive mediators in this relationship. Surprisingly, our analysis indicates that time spent in the park alone does not exert a significant mediating effect. Notably, our results highlight nuanced variations: the association between landscape attractiveness and place identity is particularly pronounced in parks with lower landscape attractiveness, while the mediating role of place identity on the relationship between park usage time and perceived safety is more pronounced in parks with higher landscape attractiveness. These findings contribute to our understanding of how urban park landscapes relate to perceived safety and provide new insights for improving the safety of urban parks, offering valuable insights for urban planners and public health policymakers in designing healthier urban environments.

Investigating Resident–Tourist Sharing of Urban Public Recreation Space and Its Influencing Factors

Urban public recreation space (UPRS) is an integral part of the urban public space system. With the rise of urban tourism, these areas have evolved into important spaces for leisure and entertainment, serving both residents and tourists. However, the extent to which these spaces are shared by the two groups remains unclear. This study quantified the level of UPRS equally shared by residents and tourists in Wuhan, China, using geotagged check-in data from 74 UPRS. We evaluated and compared the resident–tourist sharing degree across various types of UPRS and explored its influencing factors using multiple linear regression (MLR). The results indicated the following: (1) The sharing degree was at a moderate level and it varied significantly across different types of UPRS. (2) Characteristic streets had the highest sharing degree, followed by cultural spaces, urban parks, and tourist scenic spots. (3) The number of nearby tourist attractions, road density, and number of transport stops positively affected sharing degree. These findings suggest that the combination layout of UPRS with other tourist attractions and enhanced accessibility can effectively improve the shared usage of UPRS.

Qualitative Evidence to Inform Municipal Government Actions to Increase Recreation Space Usage and Promote Equitable Participation in Leisure-Time Physical Activity

Qualitative Evidence to Inform Municipal Government Actions to Increase Recreation Space Usage and Promote Equitable Participation in Leisure-Time Physical Activity

Planning and designing livable recreational open spaces in developing countries. Insights from Souk Ahras City, Algeria

Planning and designing livable recreational open spaces in developing countries. Insights from Souk Ahras City, Algeria

Understanding spatial inequalities and stratification in transportation accessibility to social infrastructures in South Korea: multi-dimensional planning insights

This research investigated spatial inequalities in transportation accessibility to social infrastructures (SIs) in South Korea, using a multi-dimensional methodological approach, including descriptive/bivariate analysis, explanatory factor analysis (EFA), K-Mean cluster analysis, and multinomial logit model (MNL). Our study confirmed pronounced spatial disparities in transportation accessibility to SIs, highlighting significantly lower access in rural and remote regions compared to urban centers and densely populated areas, consistent with existing literature. Building on prior findings, several additional findings were identified. First, we uncovered significant positive correlations among accessibility to different types of SIs in four critical categories: green and recreation spaces, health and aged care facilities, educational institutions, and justice and emergency services, revealing prevalent spatial inequality patterns. Second, we identified three distinct accessibility clusters (High, Middle, and Low) across the critical SI categories. Specifically, residents within the High cluster benefited from the closest average network distances to all SIs, while those in the Low cluster faced significant accessibility burdens (e.g., 22.9 km for welfare facilities, 20.1 km for hospitals, and 19.2 km for elderly care facilities). Third, MNL identified factors such as population density and housing prices as pivotal in spatial stratification of accessibility. Specifically, areas with lower SI accessibility tended to have a higher proportion of elderly residents. Also, decreased accessibility correlated with diminished traffic volumes across all transportation modes, particularly public transportation. This research contributes to enhancing our understanding of spatial inequalities in transportation accessibility to SIs and offers insights crucial for transportation and urban planning.

The moderating effect of access to food facilities and recreational activity space on mHealth multiple health behavior change intervention.

To evaluate whether the neighborhood social and built environment moderates response to a mobile health multiple health behavior change intervention targeting fruit/vegetable intake, sedentary behavior, and physical activity. Participants were 156 Chicago-residing adults with unhealthy lifestyle behaviors. Using linear mixed models, we evaluated whether access to food facilities (fast food restaurants and grocery stores) and recreational activity spaces (gyms and parks) moderated the difference in behavior change between the active intervention condition relative to control. Using spatial data analysis (cross K functions), we also assessed whether participants who achieved goal levels of behaviors ("responders") were more or less likely than those who did not achieve intervention goals ("non-responders") to reside near fast food restaurants, grocery stores, gyms, or parks. According to linear mixed models, none of the neighborhood social and built environment factors moderated the difference in behavior change between the active intervention condition and the control condition (Likelihood Ratio (χ²[1] = 0.02-2.33, P-values > 0.05). Cross K functions showed that diet behavior change responders were more likely than non-responders to reside near fast food restaurants, but not grocery stores. The results for activity behavior change were more variable. Sedentary screen time responders were more likely to reside around recreational activity spaces than non-responders. Moderate-vigorous physical activity responders had greater and lesser clustering than non-responders around parks, dependent upon distance from the park to participant residence. A complex relationship was observed between residential proximity to Chicago facilities and response to multiple health behavior change intervention. Replication across diverse geographic settings and samples is necessary.

How do BPoC design professionals pursue environmental justice considerations when planning and designing recreational spaces?

ABSTRACT Recreational spaces like parks and playgrounds play a vital role in community development. They serve as avenues for important experiences like physical activity, social interaction, and shared cultural expressions. However, BPoC (Black Person, and Person of Color) communities face disparate unjust environmental barriers to utilizing such spaces. Yet not much is known about how BPoC professionals in dedicated professional associations, could address such barriers through the pursuit of environmental justice when planning and designing recreational spaces. This study aims to address this lacuna in research. Findings from in-depth interviews demonstrate that in the design and planning of spaces for recreation, BPoC design professionals drew on their lived experiences from community history and personal encounters to: (1) foster opportunities for participation in design and planning processes (procedural justice), (2) address location-related concerns pertaining to systemic strains in resource allocation (distributive justice), and (3) integrate features that support socio-cultural relationships (interactional justice).

Who Benefits? A Mixed Methods Study Assessing Community Use of a Major Metropolitan Park During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

By providing spaces for recreation, physical activity, social gatherings, and time in nature, urban parks offer physical, mental, and social benefits to users. However, many urban residents face barriers to park use. The COVID-19 pandemic introduced new potential barriers to urban park access and use, including changes to daily life and employment, closure of park amenities and restrictions to public movement, and risk from the coronavirus itself. The mixed-methods PARCS study measured use and perceptions of a large urban park in St. Louis, Missouri before, during, and after local COVID-19 contingency measures and restrictions. We examine data from 1,157 direct observation assessments of park usership, an online survey of park users (n=561), interviews with key stakeholders (n=27), four focus groups (n=30), and a community-based participatory research sub-study (n=66) to comprehensively characterize the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on park use. Park users who felt unsafe from the coronavirus experienced 2.65 higher odds of reducing park use. However, estimated park visits during COVID-19 contingency measures (n=5,023,759) were twice as high as post-contingency (n=2,277,496). Participants reported using the park for physical activity, recreation, time in nature, and socializing during the contingency period. Black, Hispanic/Latino, and young people were less likely to visit the park than others, suggesting an additional, disproportionate impact of the pandemic on minoritized and socioeconomically disadvantaged communities. This study highlights the role of public spaces like parks as resources for health and sites where urban health inequities can be alleviated in times of public crisis.

HOUSING PRICES AS PAYMENT FOR ECOSYSTEM SERVICES OF URBAN GREEN SPACES: CASE STUDY IN KYIV

The purpose of the study is to analyze the impact of the availability of urban green spaces (UGS) and air quality on the cost of residential real estate in Kyiv. Additionally, it seeks to identify the level of awareness among city residents regarding the advantages of living close to UGSs in areas with relatively clean air and their willingness to pay a higher price for such housing. The QGIS software was employed to assess the pedestrian and time accessibility levels of recreational green spaces, and the results are depicted on the corresponding map. The least accessible for everyday recreation is the UGS in the central districts of the city, which traditionally have the highest population density and the most expensive residential real estate. The article analyzes the priority criteria for determining the housing cost, depending on the spatial localization relative to the city center and the comfort class of real estate. The distribution of housing across different tiers and the price range for the apartments in new constructions in Kyiv during 2015–2021 were also examined. To identify the correlation between the cost of residential real estate in the capital’s new buildings and the availability of green spaces nearby, we investigated the spatial distribution of prices in the largest residential complexes in the city. The results of spatial visualization obtained through Voronoi diagrams or Delaunay triangulation indicate significant disparities in the cost of housing located in the center of Kyiv or on the periphery. Logically, residential complexes with the highest apartment prices are located in the central districts of Kyiv and near the metro stations. However, most of these locations lack accessible green areas suitable for everyday recreation. Therefore, there is no positive correlation between housing prices and the presence of UGSs nearby. To achieve the research goal, we also conducted a sociological survey among Kyiv residents in various districts of the city. The survey results indicate that most Kyiv residents do not have the desire or are not currently willing to pay a higher price for the opportunity to live near a park or forest and breathe clean air, i.e., to enjoy the ecosystem services provided by UGSs fully. The scientific novelty of the research lies in determining the pedestrian and time accessibility of recreational green spaces in Kyiv, identifying trends in spatial clustering of the most expensive residential real estate in central city areas, and demonstrating the lack of a positive impact of the availability of green areas on the per square meter cost of housing in new developments. Additionally, the study reveals a remarkably low willingness of the city residents to pay a higher price for the opportunity to receive ecosystem services from available UGSs.

Contiguity of underutilized lands: Dynamic simulation taking their temporary uses into account

In Japan, shrinking densely built-up cities face the dual issue of lacking open spaces and increasing underutilized lands, such as vacant lots, lots with vacant houses, and parking lots. These unused land patches can be temporarily repurposed as open spaces for evacuation and recreation. However, identifying such clump is methodologically challenging. To address this issue, lot geometry is utilized. The study thus aims to investigate the frequency and size of contiguous underutilized lands, called the contiguity of underutilized lands, at a specific time point and under their temporary uses. A densely built-up area in Kobe city, Japan, was selected for the empirical case study. A comparison with simulation results shows that the observed static contiguity of underutilized lands tends to be more substantial than a uniformly random distribution. It shows a certain feasibility of a temporary use policy conducted in the case site. Specifically, when considering the temporary uses of underutilized lands, the maximum area of contiguous temporary open spaces is 583 m2, meeting the area requirement for a redevelopment project in Kobe. Utilizing parking lots can further extend the maximum area up to 945 m2. Nevertheless, policy makers need to promote the joint development of privately owned lots facing a wide roadway, as these are unlikely to become temporary open spaces. This study contributes not only to providing new methods for land use change simulation using lot geometry to analyse the contiguity of underutilized lands under their temporariness but also to demonstrating the feasibility and limitations of a temporary use policy.

Beyond discourse: The role of mundane sociomaterial practices in fluid organizing tension response

ABSTRACT Grounded in a paradox perspective, this article investigates the tensions of fluid informal organizing and, using a practice theory lens, explains how micro-level communicative practices deal with those tensions. Through interview and observational data, the study illustrates how tensions of integration/separation, inclusion/exclusion, and autonomy/control intersect with organizational efforts to maintain a public recreation space and are dealt with via social, material, and performative practices of worth signaling, consensus by validation, and social/material nudging. Findings add to theory on organizing tensions by moving beyond discursive and strategic responses to tension, which often focus on altering the meaning of tensions or rely upon conventional organizing elements, to emphasize how materiality and mundane practices are consequential for theory building on tension response.

Green Corridors and Social Connectivity with a Sustainable Approach in the City of Cuzco in Peru

The present research aims to propose the design of a green corridor with a systemic/sustainable approach to function as an ecological lung for the city of Cuzco. A lack of planning has resulted in uncontrolled urban development, with a shortage of green areas, negatively affecting the quality of life. Green corridors stand out as solutions that encourage social interaction and improve public health. This approach recognizes the need for balanced resource management and institutional, economic and social organization. In the specific case of Cusco, the lack of social interaction highlights the importance of addressing these challenges to improve the quality of life for both residents and visitors. The methods developed were an extensive literature review, urban analysis and climate analysis, applying sustainability strategies supported by digital tools (Google Earth, Climate Consultant 6.0, Autocad, SketchUp and 3d Sun Path). As a result, this proposal presents green areas covering 69.96% of the total area, aimed at providing recreational spaces and connecting residents and visitors with nature. Additionally, biolakes were designed, accounting for 3.18% of the area, serving as ornamental elements and contributing to the environmental quality of the urban environment. The botanical zone, encompassing 18.14% of the project, was designed to accommodate a diverse range of plant species, providing an educational and aesthetic environment. The convention area, representing 9.7% of the total area, was designed to host events and community activities, promoting social and cultural interaction. Finally, 0.98% of the space was allocated to the cultural zone, where artistic exhibitions, cultural events, and related activities can be planned, enriching the cultural and social life of the community. These percentages reflect careful consideration of the needs and aspirations of the population, as well as a comprehensive approach to sustainable urban design and the creation of multifunctional spaces. In conclusion, through a green corridor, the aim is to counteract uncontrolled urban expansion and environmental degradation by generating a green lung in the city of Cuzco, naturally regulating the climate and contributing to air and water purification. The absence of green corridors and sustainable approaches to social connectivity in Cusco could reduce the quality of life of residents, affecting their physical and mental health. The lack of green and recreational spaces could increase segregation and alienation in the community, weakening social cohesion. Without green corridors, the city would also face environmental and biodiversity challenges, as well as a reduced ability to respond to extreme weather events. The lack of implementation of these strategies could compromise comprehensive development and quality of life in Cuzco.

Süezer smac. Gardens as a refuge for leisure in literature of the Middle Ages

The depictions of gardens in literary texts from the Middle Ages are not aimed at mimetic referentialization, but represent mental concepts, i.e. conceptions, ideas or imaginations that are shaped by very different literary intentions and contexts. Intertextual references, i.e. the connection to the tradition of the literary field, as well as functions within diegesis play an important role in their interpretation as places of action. Therefore, the tradition of depicting gardens (ancient literature, the Bible) and the inner-literary functions of the garden as a setting (place of relaxation/leisure, sexual seduction, harmonious/disharmonious interaction with nature, etc.) and its symbolisations are taken into account in the article. The investigation focuses on the dichotomous evaluation of the garden as a place of auspiciousness and at the same time of sensual seduction. Right from the start, the vernacular literature of the Middle Ages was not only an affirmative medium of aristocratic representation and community building, in which gardens were portrayed in their positive functionality as recreational spaces, but also one of the most important media of aristocratic self-criticism based on Christian values. These Christian values condemn the pleasures of the worldly man as manifestations of an Epicurean way of life.

Factor Analysis of Housing Choice in Flood Prone Areas: Focusing on The Effect of Place Attachment on Risk Perception

Coastal regions are particularly susceptible to the effects of climate change because of their geographical proximity to the sea. Despite this vulnerability, these areas continue to be perceived and utilized primarily as recreational spaces where individuals can own and enjoy scenic landscapes rather than as zones at risk from climatic threats. The paradoxical demand for coastal amenities in spite of the risk of flooding is investigated in this study by applying place attachment factors from a sociopsychological angle. We employed the theories of vulnerability, risk perception, and place attachment to build a conceptual framework and formulate hypotheses regarding their relationships. Our analysis, based on a structural equation model, showed that people accept these risks for the benefits of living near the coast because their perception of risk is increased by disaster exposure but lessened by place attachment. These findings highlight the urgent need for urban planning strategies that mitigate the risks associated with climate change.

Thermal Comfort In Recreational Facilities: Examining the Effect of Misting Systems

This paper delves into the significance of misting systems in enhancing thermal comfort in indoor and outdoor environments, particularly in recreational facilities. It explores how misting systems regulate temperature and humidity to create optimal thermal conditions for users. The evolution of misting-cooling systems as integrated design solutions for outdoor spaces is also discussed, highlighting their benefits in achieving and maintaining thermal comfort. Thermal comfort plays a crucial role in the overall experience of individuals in recreational facilities. Misting systems have emerged as effective tools for regulating temperature and humidity levels, thereby enhancing the comfort of users. These systems have evolved over time to become integral components of indoor and outdoor design, offering a range of benefits in creating ideal thermal conditions. Misting systems operate by releasing fine water droplets into the air, which evaporate quickly, absorbing heat and lowering the surrounding temperature. This process helps to cool the environment and maintain optimal humidity levels, contributing to a more comfortable experience for individuals in recreational spaces. The use of misting systems in recreational facilities offers several advantages, including improved thermal comfort, energy efficiency, and enhanced user experience. By creating a pleasant microclimate, these systems contribute to increased satisfaction among visitors and can help attract more patrons to the facility. Misting-cooling systems have undergone significant advancements in recent years, with a focus on integrating them seamlessly into outdoor spaces. By considering factors such as site topography, vegetation, and daily shade patterns, designers can optimize the effectiveness of misting systems in controlling microclimatic conditions. Keywords: Thermal Comfort, Recreational Facilities, Misting Systems, Droplets, Vegetation

How IoT improves pool safety and management in the hotel sector

Pool monitoring is emerging as an integral component in the management of aquatic facilities, such as hotels, resorts and recreational centres, where pools play a central role in the guest experience. This advanced technology provides a proactive platform for maintaining the safety, hygiene and optimal operation of these recreational and relaxation spaces.