Park Users Research Articles

Visitors’ experience of using smart facilities in urban parks: A study in Shenzhen

The popularity of urban parks with smart facilities is increasing, driven by technological advancements. However, existing research focuses on passive perceptions and lacks comprehensive insights into the dynamic relationships between smart park services and user interaction. To address this gap, this study aims to discuss classification standards for smart service facilities in urban parks, develop a research model to analyze visitor usage patterns, identify factors influencing their continued engagement with smart parks, and rank visitors' recognition of smart service facilities within parks. Using Lianhuashan Park, Shenzhen, as a case study, structural equation modeling was employed to validate visitors' intentions to continue using the smart park. The findings revealed that expectation–confirmation indirectly affects visitors’ intentions by mediating variables such as satisfaction, perceived usefulness, ease of use, and privacy. Perceived ease of use emerged as the strongest influence. Among the five categories of smart park service facilities, landscape interactive facilities had the highest correlation with the overall smart technology experience in parks. This study proposes a new theoretical research model, identifies directions for optimizing service quality in smart parks, and addresses the limitations of previous studies that focused on technology while neglecting user experience. Management implicationsThe management of smart parks involve a variety of disciplines including IoT, big data statistics, ergonomics, remote sensing science, etc. It requires the cooperation of multidisciplinary personnel, which greatly increases the difficulty of facilities management in the smart parks. Moreover, the smart park system is not perfected enough, lacks certain theoretical support, and there are few excellent cases. This research applied the ECM-ISC extended model to the field of smart park research, which will help promote the user-friendly and sustainable development of smart parks and provide visitors with a more comfortable environment and better services. This study suggests that park managers and decision makers should promote the continuance intention of smart parks by increasing visitor satisfaction and increasing investment in landscape interactive facilities.

Model of Kalitidu Traditional Market's Off-Street Parking Requirements

Model of Kalitidu Traditional Market's Off-Street Parking Requirements

Measuring spatial inequality of urban park accessibility and utilisation: A case study of public housing developments in Auckland, New Zealand

Poor spatial accessibility of urban green spaces affects disadvantaged populations, who are at greater risk of socioeconomic related health inequalities. We analyse mobile phone locational data from the Auckland Region of New Zealand to connect a user's 'home' location to nearby urban parks, specifically focusing on public housing tenants - a highly vulnerable group at greater risk of health inequalities.We use a number of traditional accessibility measures and four new park utilisation analyses to explore the relationship between accessibility to urban parks, neighbourhood area deprivation, and user's patterns of actual park usage. We develop four new metrics to assist in understanding the actual utilisation of green spaces available to residents: distance between closest park available and visited (DAT), used park opportunities (UPO), locality of park visits (LPV), and nearest park visitation rate (NPVR).We found that neighbourhoods with the most public housing tend to have a lower number of parks accessible, and those that are accessible are smaller in size. Additionally, people living in these areas tend to travel farther to access urban parks compared to areas with no public housing. More deprived neighbourhoods were revealed to have lower accessibility to urban greens in Auckland, highlighting the urgency to address the emerging divisions in accessibility and opportunities for these neighbourhoods. Our findings have important implications for policy-makers and urban planners. Furthermore, the use of mobile phone locational data can reveal insights into the mobility behaviour of users and can be applied to other locations and population groups.

The ENJOY Seniors Exercise Park IMP-ACT project: IMProving older people’s health through physical ACTivity: a hybrid II implementation design study protocol

IntroductionThe health benefits of physical activity are well established; however, most older people are not sufficiently physically active. Despite the availability of various physical activity interventions and programs, implementation of effective prevention strategies to reduce older people’s physical inactivity are lacking. The ENJOY IMP-ACT project is an implementation research project, based on a previous evidence-based physical and social activity program utilising specialised outdoor exercise equipment (the Seniors Exercise Park) for older people. The ENJOY IMP-ACT aims to increase participation in physical activity to improve health outcomes for older people in Victoria, Australia.MethodThe ENJOY IMP-ACT is a hybrid II implementation-effectiveness pre-post mixed method study design. Five local governments (6 public sites/parks) will undergo a 3-month control period followed by 9-months implementation intervention (TERM framework intervention: Training, Engagement, Resources development, Marketing and promotion), and a maintenance phase (3 months). Various methodologies will be employed throughout the project at each site and will include direct observations of park users, intercept surveys with park users, online access monitor platform (using an online app), interviews with stakeholders and exercise program leaders, a process evaluation of physical activity programs, a social return-on-investment analysis, and other related activities.DiscussionThrough the implementation framework design, the ENJOY IMP-ACT is uniquely placed to translate an evidenced-based physical and social activity program into real world settings and increase physical activity among older people. If successful, this program will inform scale up across Australia with the goal of improving the health and wellbeing of older people.Trial registrationThis registration trial is prospectively registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry. Trial number ACTRN12622001256763. Date registered 20/09/2022.

Finding your way: exploring urban park users’ engagement with a wayfinding intervention through intercept go-along interviews

ABSTRACT This study explores urban park users’ engagement with a wayfinding intervention from a natural experimental study- The Delapré Walk Project. A qualitative approach was taken, with 16 intercept go-along interviews conducted with 28 local park users while they engaged with the greenspace. Barriers to greenspace access included a lack of seating and unfamiliarity with distances and footpath terrains. The inclusion of a walking route distance on wayfinding signage was valued by visitors, enabling them to make capability decisions about distances to be walked. The greenspace offered an escape from the urban environment, with some respondents explicitly stating that they did not want to see urban infrastructure within the park. This carries an important implication for wayfinding design to ensure the materials used are in-keeping with the surrounding environment. Frequent park users positively received the wayfinding intervention and whilst the main values were seen for infrequent visitors, those familiar with the park also reported increased engagement with the greenspace due to the intervention. Our research shows the value of low-cost and effective community-informed wayfinding interventions, which are essential for increasing recreational walking activity and community health within urban greenspaces. Importantly, our findings highlight wide-reaching benefits, particularly for infrequent greenspace users, older adults and those with mobility impairments, demonstrating how such interventions can help ensure equitable access to greenspace for everyone.

Making Space: A New Way for Community Engagement in the Urban Planning Process

The current research shifts from the tradition of researcher-generated and directed community study and explores a new model for data collection based on citizen-directed participation and restorative economies. This is important because the scholarship of urban planning is often separated from the practice, in which scholars undertake the bulk of the academic research and professional planners work in the field, engaging with the community and creating and implementing plans around local issues and opportunities. While urban planning trends support diverse, equitable, and inclusive engagement in visioning and shaping local development, few operationalized examples exist for citizen-led scholarship with local community application. The work outlined herein explicitly partners with local residents to collect data on both community and academic interests, and it also promotes a citizen sense of agency. Community leaders worked with the local public university to design and implement a study to solicit park use ideas and visions among three groups: youth; adults; and returning citizens. Results identify an overall theme of a lack of engagement with the community, relative to other local parks, and they also highlight four common areas of thought between the three populations—concerns about safety among park users, functional use of park space, demand for widespread park access, and desire for natural environment conservation. This work represents a viable local engagement approach including demonstrated investment in a local community and resultant increased trust; also, this work contributes valuable new knowledge about local history and the use of a community resource to inform land use planning and policy around community sustainability.

Zihinsel Rahatlamada Doğanın ve Fiziksel Çevrenin Rolü: Konya Kyoto Parkı

Parks, as one of the most important environments, are in many cases discussed only in terms of functional quality. The effects of the physical features, the characteristics of the natural elements, and the aspects of visual perception have been less studied in terms of the users’ mental relaxation. This study aims to evaluate the effects of environmental and mental relaxation components in architecture and the use of natural elements in Konya Kyoto Park. The main concern of the study is to gain a deeper insight into the experience of park users compared to the existing literature dealing with park experiences. What underscores the need for this research is the current disconnect among humans, nature, and the physical environment. The method used is descriptive and analytical, by means of a survey. The survey questions were divided into 3 components: physical, cognitive, and behavioral impacts. The users of Konya Kyoto Park were selected as the research population. Additionally, semi-structured interviews were conducted. The results showed that the different areas of the park lead to restful experiences and provide mental and affective relaxation to visitors by offering views, perspectives, and various functions that allow them to spend leisure time and be in nature.

An Assessment of Facilities in Public Motor Parks in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Rivers State, Nigeria.

This research assesses facilities in public motor parks in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area (LGA), Rivers State, Nigeria. The population consisted of frequent users of public motor parks in Obio/Akpor LGA, and a sample size was determined using the Taro Yamane formula. Participants were selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected through pre-coded questionnaires and oral communication, combining quantitative and qualitative approaches. The assessment findings indicate an overall unsatisfactory state of facilities in public motor parks. These facilities received low ratings, with a substantial percentage of respondents expressing dissatisfaction. Toilet facilities particularly raised concerns regarding hygiene and maintenance, with many considering them to be in poor condition. The canteens and automobile workshops received mixed ratings, suggesting room for improvement in food quality, service, safety standards, and equipment provision. Similarly, the shop outlets and shelters received predominantly negative ratings, indicating the need for improvements in design, infrastructure, and functionality. The study also revealed a lack of awareness among park users regarding the policies governing facility usage. Therefore, it is recommended that proper dissemination and communication of these policies are crucial to ensure effective implementation. Based on the findings, collaboration among relevant authorities, park management, and stakeholders is recommended to address the identified issues. By prioritizing these improvements, public motor parks in Obio/Akpor LGA, Rivers State, can significantly enhance the overall experience and satisfaction of park users, contributing to a more efficient and enjoyable travel experience.

Urban park qualities driving visitors mental well-being and wildlife conservation in a Neotropical megacity

Green infrastructure has been widely recognized for the benefits to human health and biodiversity conservation. However, knowledge of the qualities and requirements of such spaces and structures for the effective delivery of the range of ecosystem services expected is still limited, as well as the identification of trade-offs between services. In this study, we apply the One Health approach in the context of green spaces to investigate how urban park characteristics affect human mental health and wildlife support outcomes and identify synergies and trade-offs between these dimensions. Here we show that perceived restorativeness of park users varies significantly across sites and is mainly affected by safety and naturalness perceptions. In turn, these perceptions are driven by objective indicators of quality, such as maintenance of facilities and vegetation structure, and subjective estimations of biodiversity levels. The presence of water bodies benefited both mental health and wildlife. However, high tree canopy coverage provided greater restoration potential whereas a certain level of habitat heterogeneity was important to support a wider range of bird species requirements. To reconcile human and wildlife needs in green spaces, cities should strategically implement a heterogeneous green infrastructure network that considers trade-offs and maximizes synergies between these dimensions.

Investigation of the influence mechanism of park usage intensity and flexibility based on multi-source data: a case study of pocket parks in Beijing

This study selected 24 highly popular pocket parks in Beijing and conducted field research to collect data on park use during weekdays and weekends. SPSS correlation analysis and the development of a decision tree model were used to rank the key factors that influence the flexibility and intensity of park use on weekdays and weekends. The findings indicated that the key factors impacting the flexibility and intensity of park use on weekdays, in order of importance, are seat density, recreation facilities density, land use entropy (LUE), distance to a public toilet, POI density, and 5-min accessibility. On the other hand, the main factors influencing the flexibility and intensity of park use on weekends are 5-min accessibility, seat density, POI density, fitness facilities density, distance to the bus stop, distance to a public toilet, and life service facilities density. These findings offer valuable insights for the study of pocket parks in other cities.

Planning Campus Parking Facilities and Infrastructure: Towards Sustainable Mobility Approaches

The availability and adequacy of parking facilities are essential components of campus infrastructure, influencing the mobility and convenience of students, faculty, and visitors. This article examines the current status of parking facilities at State Polytechnic Manado, identifying challenges and proposing solutions for enhancing parking management. Through surveys and interviews, data on parking demand, utilization patterns, and user preferences are gathered to inform recommendations for improving parking infrastructure. Additionally, the study explores the integration of technology-driven solutions such as smart parking systems and sustainable design principles to optimize space utilization and minimize environmental impact. The findings emphasize the importance of strategic planning and investment in parking facilities to support the diverse needs of campus stakeholders while promoting sustainability and efficient use of resources. Overall, this research contributes to the advancement of parking management practices in educational institutions, with implications for enhancing campus accessibility, safety, and overall user experience.

Adaptation of the Recreovía During COVID-19 Lockdowns: Making Physical Activity Accessible to Older Adults in Bogotá, Colombia.

The community restrictions during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic adversely impacted older adults' physical activity levels. This convergent mixed-method study assessed the adaptation of the Recreovía, a community-based physical activity program in Bogotá, and characterized physical activity levels among older adult participants. Our results showed how the Recreovía adapted during the pandemic to continue promoting physical activity, through indoor and outdoor strategies, including virtual physical activity sessions and safety protocols. During this time, 72%-79% of the older adults attending the adapted program were physically active. A greater proportion of park users (84.2%) and more people involved in vigorous physical activity were observed during Recreovía days. Older adults had positive experiences and perceptions of the Recreovía program related to their health and social well-being. Even though the older adults prefer being outdoors, the adapted program allowed participants to continue with their physical activity routines as much as possible during the pandemic.

Disparities in Urban Park Visitation Patterns among Socioeconomically Vulnerable Communities during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Urban parks played an important role during the COVID-19 pandemic among urban dwellers. Numerous studies have shown that park visitations increased or decreased during the pandemic depending on the parks’ contexts, locations, and populations. However, a lack of research has been conducted regarding the impact of COVID-19 on vulnerable and non-vulnerable communities. Therefore, this study seeks to identify the differences between socioeconomic levels in responses to COVID-19′s impact on urban park visits. To observe park users’ movements in real-world scenarios, mobile signaling data were used to capture their movements. Then, using Repeated Measures ANOVA (RM ANOVA), the effectiveness of park visit patterns was statistically verified by considering two variables: “time” and “vulnerability”. The results showed that park visits increased during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic regardless of the vulnerability. As COVID-19 spread, underserved communities experienced decreased park visits, demonstrating park inequality after the pandemic. The comparisons in this study provide recommendations for park managers and policymakers in terms of reducing park inequality.

Assessing urban park equity in Chaoyang District, Beijing using online review data

Urban parks are essential components of urban ecosystems, providing vital ecological resources for city residents. However, the rapid expansion of high-density urban areas has led to an unequal distribution of park resources, raising growing concerns about spatial equity. To address these challenges, we employed an improved Gaussian two-step floating catchment area (2SFCA) method, considering park quality variations and integrating sentiment scores from park reviews to calculate a comprehensive park accessibility index, accounting for both supply and demand dynamics among park users. The results demonstrate the significance of park management, as users prioritise convenience and cleanliness of public facilities. Recreational quality significantly influences park distribution equity, with areas near Beijing’s initial greenbelt zone showing improved accessibility (IA). Nonetheless, our analysis exposes disparities in urban park resource allocation within the Chaoyang District, indicating relative inequity. Spatial supply and demand mismatches, especially in the northwest and southeast, are evident. To enhance park layout equity, we recommend strategies like identifying and repurposing underused spaces, establishing pocket parks and micro-green areas, and improving recreational facilities. It is crucial to address the needs of vulnerable groups such as older residents and children. These insights stress the importance of ensuring fair urban park access to enhance the well-being of all city residents.

Research on shared parking allocation considering the heterogeneity of parking slot providers’ temporary parking demand

ABSTRACT Studies on the allocation of parking demand during the sharing period primarily focus on public parking users, ignoring parking slot providers’ temporary parking demand with heterogeneity. Therefore, this paper takes the allocation of parking slot providers’ temporary parking demand as the research object and establishes a differentiated parking allocation (DPA) model to maximize the platform’s net profit. The model is solved using the ant colony optimization (ACO) algorithm and compared with the First-Come-First-Served (FCFS) algorithm. Then, the platform adopts differentiated or undifferentiated charge measures when charging for the parking slot providers’ temporary parking demand. The numerical analysis is performed to select three indicators for evaluation: 1) the utilization rate, 2) the net profit, and 3) the degree of time fragmentation. Results show that the ACO algorithm has an excellent optimization effect in allocating, and the differentiated allocation-undifferentiated charges for the parking slot providers’ temporary parking demand is feasible.

Coyote scat in cities increases risk of human exposure to an emerging zoonotic disease in North America

IntroductionZoonoses associated with urban wildlife are increasingly concerning for human health and include the recent emergence of alveolar echinococcosis (AE) in North America. AE develops following infection with the tapeworm Echinococcus multilocularis. In Alberta, up to 65% of urban coyotes (Canis latrans) are infected with E. multilocularis, and infected scats contain eggs that can be accidentally ingested by people. Our goal was to determine the predictors of infection prevalence and intensity in coyote scats in Edmonton, Canada, and to identify the predictors of coyote scat deposition and content, especially as related to anthropogenic food sources and infrastructure.MethodsTo study infection prevalence and intensity, volunteers collected 269 scats, which were tested for E. multilocularis using polymerase chain reaction. We compared infection prevalence and shedding intensity by habitat and scat content. To determine predictors of scat presence and content, we used snow tracking to identify 1263 scats. We compared landscape characteristics at scats and available points, and among scats with different contents. We used negative binomial regression to predict scat abundance in city-delineated green spaces.Results26.0% of tested scats were positive for E. multilocularis (n = 70), and infection was twice as common as expected near compost and 1.3x more common than expected when scats contained anthropogenic food. Scats were more common than expected near other scats (80% within 1 m of scats, 27% at 11.5 m), buildings (19% at buildings, 16% at 80 m), and the camps of people experiencing homelessness (24% at camps, 20% at 60 m). Scats frequently contained fruit (52.9%), anthropogenic material (36.7%), and birdseed (16.0%), and scats containing anthropogenic material often occurred near human infrastructure, supporting a relationship between anthropogenic attractants and scat accumulation.DiscussionThese results suggest that abundant food sources and anthropogenic food increase coyote aggregation, increasing both scat abundance and infection rates, which in turn increases risk of exposure to zoonotic parasites for humans. Risk to humans might be reduced by preventing coyote access to anthropogenic and aggregated food sources and educating people who are likely to encounter infected soil or vegetation, including gardeners, park users, and people experiencing homelessness.

Biodiversity and quality of urban green landscape affect mental restorativeness of residents in Multan, Pakistan

IntroductionThe influence of urban green spaces on public health is receiving unprecedented attention. Managing urban greenspaces sustainably requires an understanding of the mechanisms behind the positive effects of urban biodiversity on the wellbeing of residents. Urban parks could improve mental restoration of park users. The restoration potential may be influenced by the biophysical characteristics of the park.MethodsThis study aimed to understand two aspects of urban parks in Multan, Pakistan: (a) How does the perception of biodiversity and the quality of urban parks relate to mental restorativeness of park visitors? (b) What are the determinants of respondents' willingness to pay for the conservation and management of park biodiversity and quality in urban parks? Data were collected from October 2021 to December 2021 through a cross-sectional survey in which 550 park visitors were interviewed from six randomly selected urban parks in Multan. Multiple linear regression analysis, a binary logistic model, and a chi-square test were applied to analyze the data.Results and discussionThe study empirically highlights the positive contribution of park visits to mental restorativeness. Biodiversity and quality were positively correlated with the mental restorativeness of park visitors. Sixty-two percent (62%) of the visitors were reluctant to pay, whereas 38% were ready to pay between Rs. 850/3.7$ and Rs. 1,700/7.4$ each year. Education, occupation, and monthly income significantly positively affected the respondent's WTP attitudes. The study highlights the importance of using urban parks as tools to promote mental restorativeness, combat social stress, and increase urban vegetation cover.

Perceptions of Flood Risks among Users of Hells Gate National Park, Nakuru County, Kenya for Enhanced Disaster Preparedness and Management

Flooding is a significant natural hazard, particularly in regions like Hell’s Gate National Park in Nakuru County, Kenya, where the park’s steep gorges and proximity to water bodies heighten flood risks during rainy seasons. This study investigates the perceptions of flood risk among park users, emphasizing the importance of awareness and preparedness in flood management strategies. Utilizing a descriptive research design, data were collected from 125 respondents, including 112 park users and key informants from relevant institutions. The results indicate that while 98.2% of park users are aware of flooding, only 20.5% have directly experienced a flood event within the park. The study reveals significant preparedness gaps, with only 36.6% of respondents aware of evacuation routes and 59.8% knowledgeable about designated safe areas. Furthermore, 74.1% of participants expressed concerns about the reliability of current warning systems. The study emphasizes the importance of targeted educational campaigns to address these gaps, focusing on the severe consequences of flooding, such as potential loss of life and environmental damage, to enhance risk perception and motivate proactive behaviour. The findings suggest that improving communication systems, increasing awareness of evacuation procedures, and fostering community engagement are crucial steps toward bolstering flood preparedness and resilience among park users. The research contributes valuable insights into the broader understanding of disaster management in recreational areas, with implications for similar settings globally.

The Construction of Place Meaning of Historic Parks – A Case Study of People’s Park in Guangzhou, China

Historical parks carry the memories and emotions of local people, and have a historical status and research value that cannot be ignored. This paper introduces the concept of place significance, and based on systematically sorting out related literature, selects Guangzhou People’s Park as the case study, and empirically explores the construction of place significance of it by using the Q method. It is found that the value perception of the place meaning of the People’s Park includes five dimensions: historical display, cultural identity, landscape recreation, physical and mental health, and leisure experience. The study on the perceived value of users of historical parks can provide a reference and some suggestions for historical parks to highlight the city’s image and historical culture as well as to meet the needs of urban leisure life in the context of urban construction.

Pedestrian connectivity: A focus on residential neighbourhood sidewalks to promote accessibility to public parks

Public parks play a pivotal role in improving community life in residential neighbourhoods, with many individuals integrating a daily walk to a park near their home as part of their routine. A crucial element of the pedestrian infrastructure that promotes walkability is the use of sidewalks. However, a decline in the usage of both public parks and sidewalks has been reported in residential areas of South Africa due to the challenges discussed in this paper. Studies suggest that ample pedestrian pathways leading to public parks may enhance park usage. This study aims to analyse the functionality of sidewalks in a suburb in Bloemfontein city in South Africa as non-motorised transportation routes and to propose design guidelines for improvement to promote access to public parks in the suburb. The study employs the Conjoint analysis technique to identify factors deterring pedestrians from using sidewalks, thus hindering access to public parks. The results emphasise that the physical layout, and the perceived and actual safety of pedestrians are the primary factors impacting sidewalk usage. For instance, pedestrians frequently opt for roadways over sidewalks despite potential risks, mainly due to insufficient pedestrian-friendly infrastructure. The findings suggest that infrastructure upgrades, connected sidewalks and parks, safety measures, inclusive design, community awareness programs, and periodic reviews of pedestrian needs can lead to cities that promote active lifestyles and become more inclusive, sustainable, and conducive to holistic well-being. Furthermore, this study demonstrates that the Conjoint analysis technique is a powerful tool in urban planning, providing valuable insights into pedestrian preferences and their implications for infrastructure improvement decisions.