Three trends are occurring today in the United States which inspired this research. First, America is growing increasingly urbanized. Today, more Americans are living in cities than in rural environments, and this pattern is predicted to continue for the foreseeable future. Urban living has benefits, but there are also challenges for city residents including pollution, traffic, and crime. As social scientists, we need to improve our understanding of urban dwellers' relationship with their natural environment just as biophysical scientists are focusing more and more on the impacts of urban development on the natural world. Second, Americans are spending less time recreating outdoors. There has been a documented decline of participation in nature-based recreation, likely being replaced by an increase in use of electronic media during people's leisure time. Less contact with nature has consequences for people, perhaps especially for city dwellers who spend the majority of their time surrounded by the built environment of concrete and asphalt. It is likely that reliance on electronic entertainment has played a substantial role in decreasing amounts of physical activity. Lastly, Americans are becoming more sedentary. Today, the number of Americans who report getting no physical activity is about equal to the number who report getting regular physical exercise during their free time. Rising rates of obesity for adults and children in the U.S. have raised considerable concerns among medical and public policy professionals. The purpose of this research was to examine how small-scale urban nature parks are affecting city residents in Portland, OR. I looked at three elements of Portland residents' relationship with urban nature parks. First, I looked at whether there was an association between individual physical and psychological health and park use. Prior research has revealed that people who spend time recreating outdoors tend to be more physically active than people who do not. These observed higher levels of physical activity are associated with improved physical health. Time in nature settings has also demonstrated a positive effect on psychological well-being, such as reduced anxiety and improved ability to concentrate. Second, I examined whether having a nature park in their community had an effect on Portland residents' sense of neighborhood health. Previous research suggests that having natural areas in urbanized areas directly contributes to city residents' sense of a stronger, healthier community. Green space in cities has been associated with not only higher levels of reported satisfaction with the neighborhood, but also with higher property values, and with higher levels of retail spending. Third, I employed a social psychological model of attitude formation to evaluate Portland residents' attitudes about their nature parks. Attitudes are particularly important for natural resource managers to understand and account for in policy decisions since management of natural resources often engages the public's sense of personal freedoms and concerns over government regulations. Furthermore, because people in cities are so closely in contact with urban green space on a regular basis, inclusive and responsive policy requires that managers take account of public attitudes. I collected the data relating to these three elements of the relationship between urban residents and their nature parks in Portland because it is the largest city in Oregon. I obtained the data through a general population survey, randomly distributed to residents in the Portland metropolitan area during the fall of 2010. I conducted customary social science statistical analysis, including linear regression, to assess the relationship between Portland nature parks and personal and community health. To evaluate my sample's attitudes, I used the tripartite model of attitude formation originally developed in social psychology research. Because I was working with latent factors of attitude formation, I used structural equation modeling to assess the relationship of the observed variables to their latent factors, and the relationship among the latent factors. My results largely agree with those of other researchers, though I approached the question of physical health and nature recreation slightly differently. For my work on physical health, rather than ask about physical activity and infer health outcomes, I asked directly about physical health. I tested two hypotheses. One hypothesis was that there would be a positive association between self-reported physical health and park use, and the other tested for a positive association between park use and psychological health. My hypothesis for the physical health-parks relationship was partially supported. I tested two physical health variables, and found that one, which described overall health, did reveal a statistically significant relationship to park use. The other, relating to role limitations due to physical health problems, did not have a significant relationship to park use. My second hypothesis asserted that there would be a positive relationship between psychological health and park user status. This hypothesis was not supported, but I did find indications of an association between psychological health and park use. The second element of the relationship between city residents and urban nature parks related to neighborhood health. My results from this analysis were consistent with prior research findings which tend to support a positive association. I tested whether parks close by respondents homes (a fifteen to twenty minute walk), and parks farther away (no more than a ten minute drive away from home) were positively associated with self-reported neighborhood health. I found that both levels of proximity were positively associated with perceptions of neighborhood health. Because prior research suggests that one of the ways that neighborhood green spaces promote stronger communities is through the social interactions that occur in parks among neighbors, I also tested whether park-related social interaction was positively associated with community health ratings. In testing for a mediating effect of social interaction on the relationship between parks and neighborhood health, I found that park-related social interaction had a partial mediating effect on neighborhood health ratings for both parks within walking distance and within driving distance. In testing for moderation, I found that the moderation effect of social interaction was present only for parks within walking distance. The third and final element of the relationship between urban nature parks and city dwellers was attitudes about urban nature parks. I employed a model of attitude formation originally proposed in the social psychology literature. The tripartite model argues that an attitude is formed through three precursors: the cognitive, the affective, and the behavioral components. I also included an additional variable for social networks which I proposed would act as a moderating variable on the relationship between the other components and park attitude. My results for the entire, combined sample of both park users and nonusers indicated that both the cognitive factor and the affective factor have a significant association with attitude formation, while the behavioral component did not. The model for the combined sample also showed that social networks had a statistically significant, inverse relationship with attitudes. I conducted a test for attitude differences between groups (users and nonusers), and found a statistically significant difference. I also tested for a moderating effect of social networks on the other attitude formation components, but that relationship was not supported. Finally, I conducted comparisons between the two groups to assess any differences in the attitude components between users and nonusers. Side-by-side comparisons revealed that both users' and nonusers' attitudes were significantly influenced by the affective component. Perceived outcomes of park use was not predictive of attitude for either group. The values component (on an anthropocentric-biocentric scale) was significant for users, but not nonusers. Nonusers attitudes were also significantly impacted by the behavioral component (i.e., behaviors related to parks), and by social networks. Social networks were not predictive of users' park attitudes. The research I have presented herein provides support for the hypotheses that time spent in natural settings is associated with better physical and psychological health and that community green spaces contribute to satisfaction with one's neighborhood. I also found that attitudes about parks differed between users and nonusers, yet both groups valued them as benefits in the urban environment. Since my sample size was insufficient to make generalizable statements about Portland's population, my results are suggestive, but are consistent with prior research. My research results can help urban natural resource managers and city decision-makers make more inclusive decisions by incorporating an understanding of city residents' relationships to urban nature parks. The results of my research on personal and community health support the position that urban green space fulfills an important function by providing valuable public health benefits, and promoting healthier, more "livable" communities. My results indicate that, for my sample, social interaction at parks was positively related to neighborhood health. Such a positive association suggests that parks could be leveraged to build community cohesion which ultimately leads to benefits like increased sense of safety and happier residents. My results pertaining to park attitudes can help managers develop more targeted public outreach campaigns. For instance, I found that for park nonusers, social networks were a statistically significant predictor of park attitudes. This result implies that park staff and managers could benefit by identifying community organizations and business associations that might be conduits to reach nonusers. Through such information pathways, park managers could disseminate information about urban nature parks that could attract current nonusers. Urban nature parks are not the sole answer to building healthier communities and people. They cannot alone reverse social ills that many urban neighborhoods contend with routinely. However, the scientific data do support the idea that urban natural spaces like nature parks are positively associated with personal and community health. With careful participatory planning that includes a substantial public input component, urban natural resource managers could develop urban nature parks as part of a city's green infrastructure that not only provides valuable ecosystem services like cleaner water and reduced energy consumption, but also provides for nature-based recreation experiences that promote healthier, happier city residents. / Graduation date: 2012

The increase in the academic literature concerning the potential impacts that urban park systems can have over the life course of urban residents is beginning to be recognized by professionals in the fields of community quality of life studies, population health and in health geography. Typically urban spaces within Canada are designed to include a component of open space which can facilitate the recreation needs of residents. Within the City of Saskatoon neighbourhoods have such spaces in the form of neighbourhood parks, which are meant to facilitate passive or active recreation. Parks also provide open spaces of vegetation cover as opposed to the concrete and structural components of the city. Parks are meant to positively contribute to the residents lives and to the neighbourhood in which they are located. <p>In community quality of life studies, open spaces, such as parks along with other neighbourhood attributes, are often used to gauge residents perceptions of their immediate surroundings. The Saskatoon Quality of Life Project conducted by the Quality of Life Module at the Community-University Institute for Social Research (CUISR) conducted such a study in 2004 in which park spaces were related alongside other neighbourhood features such as transportation and social activities in order to capture residents perceptions of their community quality of life. <p>The purpose of this study is to look at how residents of differing socio-economic status (SES) neighbourhoods (one high SES and one low SES) perceive their neighbourhood park spaces and if their perceptions affect their perceived quality of life. In order to capture residents perceptions of their neighbourhood parks, face-to-face interviews were conducted with residents. In addition to the resident interviews, interviews were conducted with key informants as well as statistical analysis of secondary data from the 2004 Saskatoon Quality of Life Project was carried out. Results showed residents of different neighbourhood SES status shared common perceptions of their park spaces as well as how neighbourhood parks contributed to their quality of life.

The increase in the academic literature concerning the potential impacts that urban park systems can have over the life course of urban residents is beginning to be recognized by professionals in the fields of community quality of life studies, population health and in health geography. Typically urban spaces within Canada are designed to include a component of open space which can facilitate the recreation needs of residents. Within the City of Saskatoon neighbourhoods have such spaces in the form of neighbourhood parks, which are meant to facilitate passive or active recreation. Parks also provide open spaces of vegetation cover as opposed to the concrete and structural components of the city. Parks are meant to positively contribute to the residents lives and to the neighbourhood in which they are located. <p>In community quality of life studies, open spaces, such as parks along with other neighbourhood attributes, are often used to gauge residents perceptions of their immediate surroundings. The Saskatoon Quality of Life Project conducted by the Quality of Life Module at the Community-University Institute for Social Research (CUISR) conducted such a study in 2004 in which park spaces were related alongside other neighbourhood features such as transportation and social activities in order to capture residents perceptions of their community quality of life. <p>The purpose of this study is to look at how residents of differing socio-economic status (SES) neighbourhoods (one high SES and one low SES) perceive their neighbourhood park spaces and if their perceptions affect their perceived quality of life. In order to capture residents perceptions of their neighbourhood parks, face-to-face interviews were conducted with residents. In addition to the resident interviews, interviews were conducted with key informants as well as statistical analysis of secondary data from the 2004 Saskatoon Quality of Life Project was carried out. Results showed residents of different neighbourhood SES status shared common perceptions of their park spaces as well as how neighbourhood parks contributed to their quality of life.

Thesis (M.S.)--Alaska Pacific University, 1999. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 176-181).

No description available.

Orientador: Roberto Wagner Lourenço / Resumo: Parques lineares são áreas estruturadas às margens de córregos e rios que apresentam a importante finalidade de revitalizar áreas degradadas, preservar áreas de várzea responsáveis pela absorção de água pluvial e, ainda, criar espaços de lazer e socialização. O objetivo deste trabalho foi o de desenvolver uma metodologia capaz de avaliar de forma quali-quantitativa 10 parques lineares entre os 24 parques existentes na cidade de São Paulo, além de identificar os principais elementos da avifauna e flora. Os parques lineares escolhidos foram: Aricanduva, Canivete, do Fogo, Gamelinha, Ipiranguinha, Itaim, Parelheiros, Rapadura, Sapé e Tiquatira. Com relação aos resultados, o parque lineare Itaim foi classificado apenas como regular enquanto que os parques lineares Aricanduva, Canivete, do Fogo, Gamelinha, Ipiranguinha, Parelheiros, Rapadura e Sapé foram classificados como bons e somente o parque linear Tiquatira foi classificado como excelente pela metodologia proposta neste trabalho. Quanto à avifauna e flora, foram identificadas 23 espécies de aves e 151 espécies vegetais. A utilização deste sistema de avaliação de parques lineares pode ser de grande importância para a avaliação destes espaços, dado que por meio desta é possível apontar as áreas que necessitam de intervenções e ações imediatas a fim de equalizar a qualidade destes espaços, melhorando seus serviços prestados ao meio ambiente e consequentemente para a qualidade de vida da população usuária. / Abstract: Linear parks are structured areas along the banks of streams and rivers that have the important purpose of revitalizing degraded areas, preserving floodplain areas responsible for the absorption of rainwater, and creating leisure and socialization spaces. The objective of this work was to develop a methodology capable of qualitatively and quantitatively evaluating 10 linear parks among the 24 existing parks in the city of São Paulo, in addition to identifying the main elements of the flora and fauna. The linear parks chosen were: Aricanduva, Canivete, Fogo, Gamelinha, Ipiranguinha, Itaim, Parelheiros, Rapadura, Sapé and Tiquatira. Regarding the results, the Itaim linear park were classified as regular, while the Aricanduva, Canivete, do Fogo, Gamelinha, Ipiranguinha, Parelheiros, Rapadura e Sapé linear parks were classified as good and only Tiquatira linear park was classified as excellent by methodology proposed in this work. Regarding fauna and flora, 151 plant species and 23 bird species were identified. The use of this system of evaluation of linear parks can be of great importance, since it is possible to point out the areas that need interventions and immediate actions in order to equalize the quality of these spaces, improving their services rendered and consequently the quality of life of the user population. / Doutor

Orientador: Admilson Írio Ribeiro / Banca: Gerson Araújo de Medeiros / Banca: Ricardo Serra Borsatto / Resumo: A ocupação do território, provocando o desequilíbrio ambiental, caracteriza-se de acordo com divergentes aspectos históricos, culturais e econômicos, que são capazes de originar condições singulares como as da conservação do ambiente natural e da degradação ambiental desencadeados pela ação antrópica. Neste contexto, o presente trabalho demonstrou as diferentes visões sobre as questões ambientais em um público heterogêneo. O estudo analisou tanto a situação da percepção padrão da qualidade ambiental, como também relacionou as condições sócias demográficas com as diferentes respostas dos entrevistados com o meio ambiente. A análise da Percepção Ambiental, foi baseada por meio de um questionário aplicado aos frequentadores do Parque Natural dos Esportes "Chico Mendes" em Sorocaba - SP. As questões envolvidas partiram do discorrimento sobre três meios, que são os meios antrópicos, físico e biótico. Os dados das respostas foram analisados em duas fases distintas: A primeira fase se constituiu numa análise e discussão dos percentuais totais de cada questão confrontando com a literatura revista. A segunda fase utilizou-se da análise de correspondência das camadas sócias demográficas permitindo identificar a influência da renda, escolaridade e faixa etária nas respostas do questionário. Os resultados obtidos demonstram uma variação da percepção sobre a qualidade ambiental do meio. Evidenciando a importância dos Parques no meio urbano para a comunidade frequentadora, bem como a ocupa... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Territorial occupation, leading to environmental imbalances, is characterized according to historical, cultural and economic aspects, which are capable of originating unique conditions, such as preservation of natural environments and environmental degradation triggered by anthropogenic actions. In such context, the present work evidenced different points of view regarding environmental issues on a heterogeneous population. This study also aimed to analyze the situation of standard environmental quality perception, as well as to relate demographic social conditions to different answers, concerning the environment, provided by those interviewed. Analysis of Environmental Perception was based on a questionnaire applied to visitors of the "Chico Mendes" Sports Natural Park, on the city of Sorocaba, state of São Paulo, Southeast region of Brazil. Questions involved started from the discourse over three environments, specifically the anthropic, physical and biotic environments. Data from all answers were analyzed in two distinct phases. The first stage was formed by analysis and discussion of the total percentages of each question, compared to reviewed literature. The second phase used a correspondence analysis of demographic social layers, allowing for the identification of influences caused by income, schooling and age on answers from the questionnaire. Obtained results clearly demonstrate a variation of perception over environmental quality. These same results reinforce and evi... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

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Chan Chung Shing. / Thesis submitted in: June 2005. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 99-110). / Abstracts and questionnaires in English and Chinese. / Abstract --- p.i / Acknowledgement --- p.iii / List of Tables --- p.ix / List of Figures --- p.x / List of Appendices --- p.xi / Chapter CHAPTER 1 --- INTRODUCTION --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1 --- Urban park management in Hong Kong --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2 --- Conceptual framework of the study --- p.3 / Chapter 1.3 --- Objectives of the study --- p.5 / Chapter 1.4 --- Scope and significance of the study --- p.6 / Chapter 1.5 --- Organization of the thesis --- p.8 / Chapter CHAPTER 2 --- LITERATURE REVIEW --- p.10 / Chapter 2.1 --- Definitions and typologies of urban parks --- p.10 / Chapter 2.2 --- Multi-dimensional functions of urban parks to livable and sustainable cities --- p.13 / Chapter 2.3 --- The need for recreation management frameworks and indicators of urban parks --- p.16 / Chapter 2.4 --- Definition and functions of indicators in recreation management --- p.18 / Chapter 2.5 --- Studies of indicators in park management and their implications --- p.20 / Chapter 2.6 --- Summary --- p.25 / Chapter CHAPTER 3 --- BACKGROUND OF STUDY AREA --- p.27 / Chapter 3.1 --- History and management of urban parks in Hong Kong --- p.27 / Chapter 3.2 --- Classifications of the major parks in Hong Kong --- p.28 / Chapter 3.3 --- Site selection of the study --- p.33 / Chapter 3.4 --- Baseline data of urban parks --- p.34 / Chapter 3.5 --- Summary --- p.36 / Chapter CHAPTER 4 --- METHODOLOGY --- p.37 / Chapter 4.1 --- Methods of data and information collection --- p.37 / Chapter 4.1.1 --- First stage (In-depth interviews and questionnaire survey) --- p.38 / Chapter 4.1.2 --- Second stage (Questionnaire surveys) --- p.40 / Chapter 4.1.3 --- Modified Delphi approach --- p.41 / Chapter 4.2 --- Methods of data analysis --- p.42 / Chapter 4.2.1 --- Matrix frameworks --- p.42 / Chapter 4.2.2 --- Importance-performance (I-P) analysis --- p.43 / Chapter 4.2.3 --- Factor analysis --- p.44 / Chapter 4.2.4 --- Driving force-State-Response (DSR) framework --- p.45 / Chapter 4.3 --- Summary --- p.46 / Chapter CHAPTER 5 --- RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS I - Indicators for Sustainable Urban Parks in Hong Kong --- p.48 / Chapter 5.1 --- Results --- p.48 / Chapter 5.1.1 --- Characteristics of park managers and park users --- p.48 / Chapter 5.1.2 --- Visitation characteristics of park users --- p.51 / Chapter 5.1.3 --- Core indicators extracted based on the perception of park users --- p.52 / Chapter 5.2 --- Discussions --- p.54 / Chapter 5.2.1 --- Characteristics of respondents and implications on park management --- p.54 / Chapter 5.2.2 --- Components of urban park management selected in studies --- p.55 / Chapter 5.2.3 --- Components extracted for frequent and non-frequent park users --- p.57 / Chapter 5.3 --- Recommendations --- p.58 / Chapter 5.3.1 --- Development and implementation of urban park indicators --- p.58 / Chapter 5.3.2 --- DSR Framework for sustainable urban park management --- p.61 / Chapter 5.4 --- Summary --- p.64 / Chapter CHAPTER 6 --- RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS II - Indicator Ratings between Park Managers and Park Users --- p.65 / Chapter 6.1 --- Results --- p.65 / Chapter 6.1.1 --- Rankings of importance of indicators by park managers and park users --- p.65 / Chapter 6.1.2 --- Rankings of performance of indicators by park managers and park users --- p.67 / Chapter 6.1.3 --- Ranking of indicators by frequent and non-frequent park users --- p.69 / Chapter 6.2 --- Discussions --- p.70 / Chapter 6.2.1 --- Discrepancies between the perceptions of park managers and park users --- p.70 / Chapter 6.2.2 --- Park management problems caused by discrepancies between stakeholders --- p.72 / Chapter 6.2.3 --- Causes of discrepancies --- p.73 / Chapter 6.2.4 --- Park users' perception of urban parks' performance --- p.73 / Chapter 6.3 --- Recommendations --- p.74 / Chapter 6.3.1 --- Public participation of urban park management issues --- p.74 / Chapter 6.3.2 --- Multi-stakeholders' approach in urban park management --- p.75 / Chapter 6.4 --- Summary --- p.76 / Chapter CHAPTER 7 --- RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS III - Importance-Performance of Indicators in Urban Parks --- p.77 / Chapter 7.1 --- Results --- p.77 / Chapter 7.1.1 --- Importance-Performance (I-P) graph based on park managers' responses --- p.79 / Chapter 7.1.2 --- Importance-Performance (I-P) graph based on park users' responses --- p.81 / Chapter 7.2 --- Discussions --- p.82 / Chapter 7.2.1 --- Importance-Performance (I-P) Analyses of urban parks in Hong Kong --- p.82 / Chapter 7.2.2 --- Comparisons between responses of park managers and park users --- p.84 / Chapter 7.3 --- Recommendations --- p.85 / Chapter 7.3.1 --- Condition of urban parks in Hong Kong --- p.85 / Chapter 7.3.2 --- Resource allocation of urban parks --- p.86 / Chapter 7.3.3 --- Marketing methodology in public recreation management --- p.87 / Chapter 7.4 --- Summary --- p.88 / Chapter CHAPTER 8 --- CONCLUSION --- p.89 / Chapter 8.1 --- Summary of findings --- p.89 / Chapter 8.2 --- Implications of the study --- p.92 / Chapter 8.2.1 --- Indicator development and implementation in urban parks --- p.92 / Chapter 8.2.2 --- Multi-stakeholder approach in urban park management --- p.93 / Chapter 8.2.3 --- Adoption of marketing research methodology in recreation studies --- p.94 / Chapter 8.3 --- Limitations of the study --- p.94 / Chapter 8.4 --- Suggestions for future study --- p.96 / Bibliography --- p.99 / Appendices --- p.111

Cheng Tsz Yin, Jerry. / "Architecture Department, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Master of Architecture Programme 2009-2010, design report." / "May 2010." / Includes bibliographical references (p. 183). / Text in English with some Chinese. / Abstract --- p.ii / essay reference / Introduction --- p.10 / scenario / density comparison / statement / Background of Pearl River Delta (PRD) --- p.18 / urban form with water / prd economic mode / Ecotourism --- p.28 / principle / tourism in china / Site Feasibility Study in SanShan --- p.44 / Urban Strategy --- p.53 / urban modification / Community Strategy --- p.57 / land use change / migration reason / nature of tourism / Program Strategy --- p.67 / host activity / changing activity / program for ecotourism / Building (sustainability) Strategy --- p.81 / self-sustained community formulation / resources / discharge / Case Reference of Ecotourism --- p.91 / purpose of ecotourism / "serr, costa-rica" / "central park, manhattan" / "farming pleasure practice, china" / "wetland park, hong kong" / Site Design --- p.117 / concept / program layout / site reshaped / building design