Lo Yuen Yee. / Thesis submitted in: December 2004. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 136-145). / Abstracts and questionnaires in English and Chinese. / ABSTRACT --- p.i / ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS --- p.v / TABLE OF CONTENTS --- p.vi / LIST OF TABLES --- p.ix / LIST OF FIGURES --- p.xi / Chapter CHAPTER 1 --- INTRODUCTION / Chapter 1.1 --- Background --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2 --- The Problem --- p.2 / Chapter 1.3 --- Objectives of the Study --- p.4 / Chapter 1.4 --- Definition of Terms --- p.5 / Chapter 1.5 --- Scope of the Study --- p.5 / Chapter 1.6 --- Organization of the Thesis --- p.6 / Chapter CHAPTER 2 --- "RECREATION, COUNTRYSIDE RECREATION AND THE COUNTRY PARKS PROGRAMME" / Chapter 2.1 --- Introduction --- p.8 / Chapter 2.2 --- Recreation and Countryside Recreation --- p.9 / Chapter 2.2.1 --- The Values of Outdoor Recreation and Wilderness Experience --- p.10 / Chapter 2.2.2 --- The Importance of Recreation --- p.11 / Chapter 2.2.3 --- Problems Associated with Recreation --- p.11 / Chapter 2.2.4 --- The Concept of Outdoor Recreation Management --- p.12 / Chapter 2.2.5 --- Recreational Impacts --- p.12 / Chapter 2.2.6 --- Recreation Carrying Capacity --- p.14 / Chapter 2.2.7 --- Limits of Acceptable Change --- p.15 / Chapter 2.2.8 --- Recreational Experience and Visitor Satisfaction --- p.16 / Chapter 2.3 --- Definitions --- p.17 / Chapter 2.3.1 --- Definitions of Recreation Choice and Preference --- p.17 / Chapter 2.3.2 --- Recreation Setting of Hong Kong --- p.17 / Chapter 2.3.3 --- Definition of Visitors' Recreational Experience and Satisfaction --- p.19 / Chapter 2.3.4 --- Concepts of Satisfaction in Outdoor Recreation --- p.20 / Chapter 2.3.5 --- "Definitions of Recreation Activities, Non-Recreation Activities, Active Recreation and Passive Recreation" --- p.21 / Chapter 2.4 --- Hong Kong's Country Parks Programme --- p.21 / Chapter 2.4.1 --- Background of the Country Parks Programme --- p.22 / Chapter 2.4.2 --- The Establishment of the Country Parks --- p.24 / Chapter 2.4.3 --- The Themes and Design of Country Parks --- p.27 / Chapter 2.4.4 --- Conservation in Country Parks --- p.28 / Chapter 2.4.5 --- Recreation in Country Parks --- p.28 / Chapter 2.4.6 --- Education in Country Parks --- p.29 / Chapter 2.4.7 --- Conflicts in the Country Parks Programme --- p.29 / Chapter 2.4.8 --- The Elements of Change --- p.30 / Chapter 2.4.8.1 --- Population --- p.30 / Chapter 2.4.8.2 --- Age Structure --- p.33 / Chapter 2.4.8.3 --- Income Level --- p.34 / Chapter 2.4.8.4 --- Mobility --- p.35 / Chapter 2.5 --- Summary --- p.37 / Chapter CHAPTER 3 --- METHODOLOGY / Chapter 3.1 --- Introduction --- p.39 / Chapter 3.2 --- Construction of a Theoretical Framework --- p.39 / Chapter 3.3 --- Data Collection --- p.41 / Chapter 3.3.1 --- Defining Information Needed --- p.41 / Chapter 3.3.2 --- Defining Methods Used --- p.42 / Chapter 3.3.3 --- Sampling --- p.42 / Chapter 3.3.3.1 --- Sampling Size --- p.42 / Chapter 3.3.3.2 --- Sampling Frame and Sampling Method --- p.43 / Chapter 3.3.3.3 --- Period of Survey and Study Areas --- p.44 / Chapter 3.3.4 --- Questionnaire Design and Pilot Study --- p.48 / Chapter 3.3.5 --- "Survey Implementation, Coding of Answers and Data Processing" --- p.49 / Chapter 3.4 --- Summary --- p.49 / Chapter CHAPTER 4 --- RECREATION CHOICE AND PREFERENCE / Chapter 4.1 --- Introduction --- p.50 / Chapter 4.2 --- Perception of Visitors --- p.50 / Chapter 4.2.1 --- "Rating of Conservation, Education and Recreation" --- p.50 / Chapter 4.2.2 --- Visitors' Immediate Perception of Country Parks --- p.52 / Chapter 4.2.3 --- Development Versus Continual Protection of Country Parks --- p.53 / Chapter 4.3 --- Motivations of Visitors --- p.54 / Chapter 4.3.1 --- Reasons for Visiting Country Parks --- p.54 / Chapter 4.3.2 --- Purposes of Visit --- p.58 / Chapter 4.4 --- "Activities Performed, Preferred and Demanded in Country Parks" --- p.59 / Chapter 4.4.1 --- Activities Performed by Visitors --- p.59 / Chapter 4.4.2 --- Activities Preferred by Visitors --- p.62 / Chapter 4.4.3 --- Facility Provision and Matching Activities in Country Parks --- p.63 / Chapter 4.5 --- Choice between Passive Recreation and Active Recreation --- p.65 / Chapter 4.6 --- Changes since Inception of the Country Parks Programme --- p.67 / Chapter 4.6.1 --- Changes in Reasons of Visit since 1982 --- p.68 / Chapter 4.6.2 --- Performed Activities --- p.69 / Chapter 4.6.3 --- Preferred Activities --- p.71 / Chapter 4.7 --- Changes in the Profile of Country Parks Visitors --- p.72 / Chapter 4.7.1 --- Age Distribution --- p.72 / Chapter 4.7.2 --- Educational Attainment of Visitors --- p.73 / Chapter 4.8 --- Conclusions --- p.73 / Chapter CHAPTER 5 --- RECREATIONAL EXPERIENCES AND SATISFACTION LEVELS / Chapter 5.1 --- Introduction --- p.74 / Chapter 5.2 --- Facility and Services Evaluation --- p.74 / Chapter 5.2.1 --- Visitors' Perception of Facility and Services Provision --- p.74 / Chapter 5.2.2 --- Visitors' Satisfaction Levels on Facilities and Services --- p.80 / Chapter 5.2.3 --- Areas in Need of Improvements --- p.86 / Chapter 5.3 --- Indicators of Visitors' Satisfaction Levels --- p.94 / Chapter 5.4 --- Satisfaction Levels of the Visit --- p.97 / Chapter 5.5 --- Conclusions --- p.98 / Chapter CHAPTER 6 --- PROGRAMME EVALUATION AND SUGGESTION FOR IMPROVEMENT / Chapter 6.1 --- Introduction --- p.99 / Chapter 6.2 --- Evaluation of the Country Parks Programme --- p.99 / Chapter 6.2.1 --- Realizing Aims of the Country Parks Programme --- p.99 / Chapter 6.2.2 --- Changing Recreation Setting in Country Parks --- p.102 / Chapter 6.2.3 --- Facility and Service Provisions in Country Parks --- p.105 / Chapter 6.3 --- Meeting New Recreational Needs in the 21st Century --- p.108 / Chapter 6.4 --- Conclusions --- p.112 / Chapter CHAPTER 7 --- CONCLUSIONS / Chapter 7.1 --- Introduction --- p.113 / Chapter 7.2 --- Major Findings of the Study --- p.113 / Chapter 7.2.1 --- Recreation Opportunity of Country Parks Visitors --- p.113 / Chapter 7.2.2 --- Recreational Experiences and Satisfaction Levels of Country Parks Visitors --- p.115 / Chapter 7.3 --- Implications on the Planning and Management of Country Parks --- p.116 / Chapter 7.3.1 --- The Role of Country Parks in the 21st Century --- p.116 / Chapter 7.3.2 --- Improvement made to the Country Parks Programme --- p.117 / Chapter 7.3.2.1 --- Improvement of Facility and Service Provisions --- p.118 / Chapter 7.3.2.2 --- Arrangement of Flexible Activity Programmes --- p.119 / Chapter 7.4 --- Limitations of Present Study --- p.120 / Chapter 7.5 --- Areas for Further Studies --- p.121 / APPENDICES / Chapter IA --- Visitor survey questionnaire in English --- p.123 / Chapter IB --- Visitor survey questionnaire in Chinese --- p.128 / Chapter IIA --- Comparison of recreation facilities within picnic places between 1980/81 and 2001/2002 --- p.133 / Chapter IIB --- "Comparison of footpaths, trails and walks within country parks between 1980/81 and 2001/2002" --- p.134 / Chapter IIC --- Summary of activity programmes provided by AFCD in country parks --- p.135 / BIBLIOGRAPHY --- p.136

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D.Litt. et Phil. (Anthropology) / This thesis investigated how public spheres are spatialised in public space. The public sphere is commonly understood as the public deliberation between people to establish their common interests and the bearing this has on state authority. While it is acknowledged that public space is essential for public sphere development, this link between public space and the public sphere has not been extensively researched. There is also a lack of literature examining people’s experiences of public space in the global south, especially anthropological studies that focus on people’s experiences of and in urban parks. This thesis seek to answer how public spheres are spatialised in an urban park, Joubert Park, in Johannesburg, by asking what the context of the creation for the park is, what rules of access and use exist, and how the management model adopted by the City of Johannesburg and the managing agent, City Parks, affect what happens in the park. South Africa had, and still has, very specific patterns of spatial development and use, shaped through its colonial history, and apartheid. Post-apartheid South Africa holds the possibility of changing the way that space is used, and regulated, from being exclusionary based on race to being inclusionary. Joubert Park is situated in the inner city of Johannesburg, and is the oldest park in the city. At its establishment in 1891 it was situated in a relatively well-off area of Johannesburg. In the 1930s single houses in the area were replaced with art-deco apartment buildings, and served as a first receiving point for European and migrants from other parts of South African. The 1990s ushered in an era of white flight and decline within the inner-city, affecting the buildings around the park. Today the surrounding area is generally seen as decayed and is the focus of inner-city regeneration efforts aiming to build an “African World Class” city. The park is well used by a variety of urban dwellers and is considered by City Parks as a flagship within the city. It has an art gallery, various non-governmental organisations and is patronised by a variety of users, traders, chess-players and photographers. This thesis utilised standard ethnographic practices. Fieldwork consisted of ‘hanging out’ and participating within the park, formal interviews, directed questioning, and archival research. Data analysis proceeded from a combination of framework analysis, arising from theory, and grounded, from within the data. Findings were that although park users say that the park is freely available for all to use, it is in fact constrained by identity markers such as race, class, gender, sexuality and nationality. These factors articulate to produce certain experiences of the park. At the same time that people are excluded from the park, people also exclude themselves. These mechanisms of exclusions broadly reflect South African society, which has been described as socially conservative despite a liberal constitution that was implemented in 1996. The City of Johannesburg has rules and regulations that aim to exclude certain users, mostly poor and homeless people, from the park. Park users resist these rules but their small acts of resistance do not change how the rules are applied. At the same time as enforcing rules, both written and unwritten, on park users, the City ignored its own responsibilities as laid out in by-laws concerning the park. The City’s ideal users are different from actual park users and this causes contestations around space use. Lastly, findings were that there were wisps of public sphere activity taking place within the park, but that this is not sustained in any meaningful manner. Outside the park there are many more recognisable and sustained public sphere activities through protest marches. Park users do not participate in these protest marches despite the fact that the marches are similar to their own concerns. This thesis argues that more loosely regulated public space is necessary for public spheres to develop. This thesis addresses literature in urban anthropology, public space, and public sphere. It contributed to urban anthropology by showing how a small urban park can reveal patterns in the city as well as applying a unified framework developed by Setha Low. It contributed to public space literature by contributing to knowledge of public spaces in the global South. Lastly, it contributed to public sphere literature by showing that the type of regulations in public spaces can inhibit the formation of effective public spheres. Key words: Joubert Park, public space, public sphere, Johannesburg, urban anthropology

Thesis (MA (Geography and Environmental Studies))--University of Stellenbosch, 2005. / The pressure of urbanisation causes an increasing decline in public open space. The intrinsic potential of a system of public open spaces to create a city where inhabitants’ living, working and recreational environments are enhanced is often undervalued. Irrespective of the pressure of urbanisation and the amount of land currently being earmarked for open spaces, there is a growing need for more open spaces in the urban areas of South Africa. It is important to gauge the scope of open spaces in order to monitor their development. This thesis investigates the usefulness of parks in the Bellville municipal area to its inhabitants. This study identified existing parks in Bellville. Open spaces in Bellville make up 15,3% of the total area and since 1996 1,1% of the open space in Bellville has been lost to development. Parks are distributed unevenly throughout the municipal area with the eastern area having the bulk of the open space area percentage and the southern area the smallest proportion. As a result of field studies conducted in Bellville, conforming to guidelines specified by a preceding literature study, a classification system was developed on the basis of area, function and the level of upkeep. Four park types were identified by the classification process, namely neighbourhood, ecological, aesthetical and recreational parks. Following the classification of open spaces the study focuses on the neighbourhood park to gauge the needs of and utilisation by inhabitants. The neighbourhood park was selected as study focus owing to the heterogeneous appearance of this park type and because it is the most common type found (84,5% of all parks) in Bellville. Subclassification into eight subclasses guarantees homogeneous park classes. The presence of recreational structures forms the basis for the classification of neighbourhood parks. Upkeep of neighbourhood parks occurs frequently and approximately 60% of the neighbourhood parks have recreational structures. A stratified random sample selected one park out of each of the eight subclasses for case study. In each case study a simple random sample of park users was made. The population is defined as all households in a 300m radius of the park. Questionnaires were distributed to the selected households. Irrespective of their busy schedules during the week, the inhabitants still have ample free time over weekends. Free time is generally spent at home though a significant percentage of inhabitants take excursions to enjoy walks in nature. Children and pensioners most frequently make use of parks. Parks are generally visited on a weekly basis. Neighbourhood parks are visited over weekends for walks and for use as playgrounds. Most of the inhabitants are satisfied with the appearance of the neighbourhood parks, though they feel security at the parks is insufficient and parks are inadequate for the playing needs of children. Awareness of parks forms an integral part in park use. Being unaware of parks or having to travel far have a significant effect on non-usage of parks. In order to encourage park use it is essential to create multifunctional parks catering to the inhabitants’ varying needs and utilisation of parks. Single functional parks can be transformed into multifunctional parks by adding additional attractions thereby addressing inhabitants’ needs and extending the existing function of the park. Effective management of parks is essential in preserving them as continuing assets in the Bellville municipal area.