Introducing a method for mapping recreational experience

Abstract

The provision of recreational opportunities forms an important and long-standing urban planning and management objective. However, considering a range of experiences encountered when in such spaces currently does not form part of existing open space assessment tools in the UK. In this paper, 'rec-mapping', an innovative method of analysing and mapping positive recreational experiences in urban green spaces, is explored and piloted within the UK planning context. Originating in the Nordic countries, this on-site method can provide urban planners and designers with data about the extent to which specific green spaces provide and support a range of recreational experiences. The exploration reported here is based on a short review of the method's background and an application in two test sites in Sheffield, south Yorkshire, in early summer 2010. This paper critically appraises the application of rec-mapping at smaller spatial scales and recommends further explorations within the UK planning context, as the method adds to existing open space assessment by providing a unique layer of information to analyse more fully the recreational qualities of urban green spaces.

Methods for mapping recreational and social values in urban green spaces in the nordic countries and their comparative merits for urban planning

“…Lindholst, Nuppenau & Hune, (2010) and Lindholst et al (2013) discussed and suggested a mapping method based on identification and analysis of recreational experiences within smaller spatial scales (i.e. large scale maps).…”

“…In the analysis of an urban green space, experiences (and zones) may overlap, create multidimensional spaces of experiences, be identified at different spatial scales, or be associated with particular pre-defined areas. In the development, Lindholst et al (2010) and Lindholst et al (2013) suggested that the method needs to be tailored to an understanding of purpose and context. To address this, a range of issues related to specification of the particular planning situation should be taken into account as part of the mapping exercise.…”

“…These include planning objectives and context, adoption of procedure for mapping, assessment of preferences, use, and needs, scope for development and action, and a plan for communication/use of information. Additionally Lindholst et al (2013) found, when testing this method in UK, that independent mapping of nuisances would be beneficial to include for practical planning purposes.…”

“…Method development in the Nordic countries in the last three decades has provided planning with an increased number of Contents lists available at ScienceDirect journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/jort mapping methods grounded in both research and planning practice that conceptualizes recreational and social use, function, quality, and value of urban green spaces in combination with development of sound procedures for application within urban planning as well as daily management. These mapping methods use key concepts such as 'park properties' and 'park characters' (Berggren-Bärring & Grahn, 1995;Grahn & Sorte, 1985;Nordh, 2010), 'perceived sensory dimensions' (PSDs) (Grahn, Stigsdotter & Berggren-Bäring, 2005;Grahn & Stigsdotter, 2010), 'experience worlds' (Regionplane-och trafikkontoret, 2001(Regionplane-och trafikkontoret, , 2004, 'experiences classes' (Caspersen & Olafsson, 2006, and 'experience values' (Lindholst, Dempsey & Burton, 2013;Randrup, Schipperijn, Hansen, Jensen & Stigsdotter, 2008), 'social values' (Tyrväinen, Mäkinen, Schipperijn & Silvennoinen, 2004;Tyrväinen, Mäkinen & Schipperijn, 2007), and 'social use values' and 'sociotopes' (Stadsbyggnadskontoret, 2003;Ståhle, 2006). Together these concepts represent a group of mapping methods that span across several spatial scales from the individual urban green space or open space, to the regional level that integrates several urban centres in metropolitan areas.…”

Urban green space for health and well-being: developing an ‘affordances’ framework for planning and design

“…Additionally, greater research into the various affordance dimensions of green space may help better calibrate the framework to the subjective experiences of a wider range of potential users. An array of techniques exist to facilitate this, such as in-situ and ex-situ interviews, photo grouping exercises, behavioural mapping, focus groups and workshops (Hadavi, Kaplan, and Hunter 2015, Carpiano 2009, Dennis Jr et al 2009, Moore and Cosco 2014, Lindholst, Dempsey, and Burton 2013. Through such iterative use, the affordances based framework presented in this paper offers scope to retune agendas in green space planning and design while concurrently assisting in the prioritisation of intervention options for those working in this field when seeking to enhance public health and well-being.…”