A platform for research: civil engineering, architecture and urbanism
A platform for research: civil engineering, architecture and urbanism
The contribution of local parks to neighbourhood social ties
Highlights ► Parks’ qualities influence the length, frequency and character of visits. ► Social ties are more extensive for park visitors than for non-visitors. ► Short visits do not support interactions; social activities promote human contact. ► State of parks and facilities need to improve to attract long, sociable visits. ► Neighbourhoods’ characteristics promote or inhibit social interactions.
Abstract The social ties between the residents of urban neighbourhoods are in decline due to changing work patterns, increased mobility and developments in communications. Neighbourhood open spaces, and green spaces in particular, provide opportunities for social interactions that may help the residents to establish recognition and develop relationships. This paper investigates the contribution of local parks to the development of social ties in inner-city neighbourhoods. Combining quantitative methods (questionnaire survey) with a qualitative approach (focus group discussions), the research was carried out in three inner-city neighbourhoods in Greater Manchester, UK, characterised by different levels of material deprivation and ethnic diversity. The social survey explored the associations between the respondents’ visits to local parks and the number of friends and acquaintances they had. The findings suggest that local parks may support the development of social ties in inner-city areas. Associations were found between the quality of the parks, the character of visits, and the extent of social ties in the neighbourhood. The study concludes that for inner-city parks to realise their full potential in supporting social interactions and developing social ties, they need to be well-maintained and provide good recreational facilities. The development of social ties was also found to be considerably affected by the characteristics of the individuals and the neighbourhood.
The contribution of local parks to neighbourhood social ties
Highlights ► Parks’ qualities influence the length, frequency and character of visits. ► Social ties are more extensive for park visitors than for non-visitors. ► Short visits do not support interactions; social activities promote human contact. ► State of parks and facilities need to improve to attract long, sociable visits. ► Neighbourhoods’ characteristics promote or inhibit social interactions.
Abstract The social ties between the residents of urban neighbourhoods are in decline due to changing work patterns, increased mobility and developments in communications. Neighbourhood open spaces, and green spaces in particular, provide opportunities for social interactions that may help the residents to establish recognition and develop relationships. This paper investigates the contribution of local parks to the development of social ties in inner-city neighbourhoods. Combining quantitative methods (questionnaire survey) with a qualitative approach (focus group discussions), the research was carried out in three inner-city neighbourhoods in Greater Manchester, UK, characterised by different levels of material deprivation and ethnic diversity. The social survey explored the associations between the respondents’ visits to local parks and the number of friends and acquaintances they had. The findings suggest that local parks may support the development of social ties in inner-city areas. Associations were found between the quality of the parks, the character of visits, and the extent of social ties in the neighbourhood. The study concludes that for inner-city parks to realise their full potential in supporting social interactions and developing social ties, they need to be well-maintained and provide good recreational facilities. The development of social ties was also found to be considerably affected by the characteristics of the individuals and the neighbourhood.
The contribution of local parks to neighbourhood social ties
Kaźmierczak, Aleksandra (author)
Landscape and Urban Planning ; 109 ; 31-44
2012-01-01
14 pages
Article (Journal)
Electronic Resource
English
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