DO DURATION OF STAY AND PARK VISITATION MATTER? AN EVALUATION OF PARK DISTANCE
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.21837/pm.v18i11.716Keywords:
physical activities, quality neighbourhood park, proximityAbstract
Among ways to keep up with healthy lifestyle include physical activities. Recent statistics by the Ministry of Health (2016) indicated a drastic increase in the prevalence of non-communicable disease from 1990 to 2016 and the number is expected to increase or remain high. In response to the issue, the Eleventh Malaysia Plan 2016-2020 was formulated to improve Malaysians’ wellbeing by providing ample open spaces to encourage an active lifestyle. This paper aims to investigate the association of proximity to neighbourhood park and its level of utilisation. 680 respondents were involved in the questionnaire survey conducted at 7 selected neighbourhood parks. The output of the Pearson Correlation evinced that proximity to neeighborhood parks was highly associated to the level of park utilisation. There was a strong and positive relationships between (i) park distance and numbers of visitations (r = 0.841,n = 680,p = 0.000< 0.01), (ii) park distance and length of stay (r = 0.803, n = 680, p = 0.000< 0.01), and (iii) number of visitations and length of stay (r = 0.644, n = 680,p = 0.000< 0.01). The results also indicated that that the longer the distance of the park from home, the longer the time spent at the park. Whereas, the shorter the distance of the park from home, the higher the utilisation of the park.Downloads
References
Agboola, O. P., Rasidi, M. H., & Said, I. Bin. (2016). Challenges in Sharing Neighbourhood Open Space Among Residents in South-West, Nigeria. International Journal of Multidisciplinary Academic Research, 4(2), 34-49. Retrieved from www.multidisciplinaryjournals.com
Akpinar, A. (2014) Assessing the users’ perceptions, preferences, and reasons for use of urban greenway, Journal of Faculty for Istanbul University, 64 (2), pp. 41-55.
Amir Hossein Askari. (2014) ‘Assessment of Urban Public Spaces: Cases of Kuala Lumpur City Center’ Unpublished doctoral thesis, Universiti Malaya, Selangor, Malaysia.
Barbosa, O., Tratalos, J.A., Arms worth, P.R., Davies, R.G., Fuller, R.A., Johnson, P., Gaston, K.J. (2007) Who benefits from access to green space? A case study from Sheffield, UK. Landscape Urban Plan. 2-3 (83), pp. 187-195.
Badland, H., Hickey, S., Bull, F., Giles-Corti, B. (2014) Public transport access and availability in the RESIDE study: Is it taking us where we want to go? Journal of Transport Health, 1, pp. 45-49.
Balfour, R., & Allen, J. (2014) Local action on health inequalities: Improving access to green spaces. Wellington House, London: Public Health England, UCL Institute of Health Equity. Retrieved from https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/ attachment_data/file/3 57411/Review8_Green_spaces_health_inequalities.pdf
Bedimo-Rung, A.L., Mowen, A.J., Cohen, D.A. (2005) The significance of parks to physical activity and public health: a conceptual model. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 28, pp. 159-168.
Bertram, C., Meyerhoff, J., Rehdanz, K., &Wustemann, H. (2017) Differences in the recreational value of urban parks between weekdays and weekends: A discrete choice analysis. Landscape and Urban Planning, 159, pp. 5-14.
Bjork, J., Albin, M., Grahn, P., Jacobsson, H., Ardo, J., Wadbro, J., Skarback, E. (2008) Recreational values of the natural environment in relation to neighbourhood satisfaction, physical activity, obesity and wellbeing. Journal of Epidemiol. Community Health, 62 (4), pp. 1-7.
Brown, G., Schebella, M. F., & Weber, D. (2013) Using participatory GIS to measure physical activity and urban park benefits. Landscape and Urban Planning, 121, pp. 34-44.
Cohen, D. A., Han, B., Derose, K. P., Williamson, S., Marsh, T., Rudick, J., & McKenzie, T. L. (2012) Neighborhood poverty, park use, and park-based physical activity in a Southern California city. Social Science & Medicine, 75(12), pp. 2317-2325.
Coles, R. & Bussey, S. (2000) Urban forest landscapes in the UK progressing the social agenda'. Landscape and Urban Planning, 52(2/3), pp 181-188.
Dill, J.(2004) “Measuring network connectivity for bicycling and walking” Paper submitted to 89th Transport Research Board Annual Meeting, Williamsburg, Virginia. Available at http://reconnectingamerica.org/assets/Uploads/TRB2004-001550.pdf
Ewing, R. and Handy, S. (2009) Measuring the unmeasurable: urban design qualities related to walkability. Journal of Urban Design, 14 (1), pp. 65-84.
Fong D.Y., Ho J.W., Hui B.P., Lee A.M., Macfarlane D.J., Leung S.S., Cerin E., Chan W.Y., Leung I.P., Lam S.H., Taylor A.J., Cheng K.K. (2012) Physical activity for cancer survivors: meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials, BMJ, 344,e70.
Ferioli, M., Zauli, G., Martelli, A. M., Vitale, M., McCubrey, J. A., Ultimo, S. &Neri, L. M. (2018) Impact of physical exercise in cancer survivors during and after antineo plastic treatments. Oncotarget, 9 (17), pp. 14005- 14034.
Gobster, P.H. (2002) Managing urban parks for a racially and ethnically diverse clientele. Leisure Sciences, 24, pp. 143-159.
Hadavi, S., Kaplan, R., & Hunter, M. R. (2017) How does perception of nearby nature affect multiple aspects of neighbourhood satisfaction and use patterns?. Landscape Research, 43 (3), pp. 360-379.
Kaczynski, A.T., Henderson, K.A. (2008) Parks and recreation settings and active living: a review of associations with physical activity function and intensity. Journal of Physical Activity and Health, 5, pp. 619-632.
Kaczynski, A. T., Potwarka, L. R., Smale, B. J. A., & Havitz, M. F. (2009). Association of Parkland proximity with neighborhood and park-based physical activity: Variations by gender and age. Leisure Sciences, 31(2), 174-191.
Karuppannan, S., Sivam, A., Koohsari, M., &Sivam, A. (2012) Does urban design influence physical activity in the reduction of obesity? A review of evidence, The Open Urban Studies Journal, 5, pp. 14-21.
Kawada, K., Yamada, T., &Kishimoto, T. (2014) Street Choice Logit Model for visitors in shopping districts. Behavioral Sciences, 4(3), pp. 154-166.
Lestan, K. A., Erzen, I., &Golobic, M. (2014) The role of open space in urban neighbourhoods for health-related lifestyle. International journal of environmental research and public health, 11(6),pp. 6547-6570.
Lo, A. Y., & Jim, C. Y. (2012) Citizen attitude and expectation towards greenspace provision in compact urban milieu. Land use policy, 29(3), pp. 577-586.
Maroko, A. R., Maantay, J. A., Sohler, N. L., Grady, K. L., & Arno, P. S. (2009) The complexities of measuring access to parks and physical activity sites in New York City: a quantitative and qualitative approach. International Journal of Health Geographic, 8(1), 34, pp 1-23,
Ministry of Health 2016. National Strategic Plan for Non-Communicable Disease (NSP-NCD) 2016-2025. Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) Section, Disease Control Division, Ministry of Health Malaysia. Retrieved from http://www.moh.gov.my/moh/resources/Penerbitan/Rujukan/NCD/National%20 Strategic%20Plan/FINAL_NSPNCD.pdf
Ministry of Housing and Local Government Malaysia. (2010) Malaysian Town Plan: Planning in Green Malaysia. Retrieved from
https://issuu.com/anwar_townplan/docs/ townplan_vol_7_ issue_1_with_cover.
Mitchell, R.; Popham. (2008) F. Effect of exposure to natural environment on health inequalities: An observational population study. Lancet, 372, pp. 1655-1660.
Mohd Salleh, M. Z., Abdul Malek, N., Othman, N., & Syed Othman Thani, S. K. (2019). The Malaysian Cycling-Friendly Neighbourhood: A Signal For The Enhancement Of The Convenience Infrastructure. MATEC Web of Conferences, 266, 06004.
Nielsen, A.B., van den Bosch, M., Maruthaveeran, S. et al. (2014) Species richness in urban parks and its drivers: A review of empirical evidence. Urban Ecosyst 17, 305-327.
Nor Akmar Abdul Aziz. (2012) Green space use and management in Malaysia. Forest & Landscape Research, 51, pp. 1-71.
Norsidah Ujang, AmnieMoulay&KhalilahZakariya. (2015) Sense of well-being indicators: Attachment to public parks in Putrajaya, Malaysia. Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences, 202, pp. 487-494.
Nurhayati Abdul Malek, Manohar Mariapan& Nik Ismail Azlan Ab Rahman. (2015) Community Participation in Quality Assessment for Green Open Space in Malaysia, Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences, 168, pp. 219-228.
Nurhayati Abdul Malek & Amanina Nashar. (2018) Measuring Successfulness of Malaysian Green Open Spaces: An Assessment Tool. Theoretical & Empirical Researches in Urban Management, 13(2), pp. 21-37.
Nurhayati Abdul Malek &AmaninaNashar. (2018) Use Pattern and Activities: The Evaluation of Malaysian Green Open Space Design. Journal of the Malaysian Institute of Planners,6 (3), pp. 121-131.
Paquet, C., Cargo, M., Kestens, Y. & Daniel, M. (2010) Reliability of an instrument for direct observation of urban neighbourhoods, Landscape and Urban Planning, 97, pp. 194-201. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2010.06.001
Paul, S., & Nagendra, H. (2017) Factors Influencing Perceptions and Use of Urban Nature: Surveys of Park Visitors in Delhi. Land, 6(2), 27.
Pojani, D., & Stead, D. (2015) Sustainable urban transport in the developing world: beyond megacities. Sustainability, 7(6), pp. 7784-7805.
Rasidi, M. H., Jamirsah, N., & Said, I. (2012). Urban Green Space Design Affects Urban Residents’ Social Interaction. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 68(November), 464-480.
Ribeiro, A. I., Pires, A., Carvalho, M. S., & Pina, M. F. (2015) Distance to parks and nonresidential destinations influences physical activity of older people, but crime doesn’t: a cross-sectional study in a southern European city. BMC public health, 15(1), 593.
Sallis, J. F., & Carlson, J. A. (2015) Physical Activity: Numerous Benefits and Effective Interventions. Population Health: Behavioral and Social Science Insights, 169184, Maryland, United State: National Institute of Health. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Michael_Spittel/publication/311734534_Po pulation
_HealthBehavioral_and_Social_Science_Insights/links/58582f3c08aeffd7c4fbb3 70/Popul ation-Health-Behavioral-and-Social-Science-Insights.pdf#page=179
Samimi, A., Mohammadian, A. K., &Madanizadeh, S. (2009) Effects of transportation and built environment on general health and obesity. Transportation research part D: transport and environment, 14(1), pp. 67-71.
Sanesi, G., &Chiarello, F. (2006). Residents and urban green spaces: The case of Bari, Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, 4 (3-4), pp. 125-134.
Schipperijn, J.; Bentsen, P.; Troelsen, J.; Toftager, M.; Stigsdotter, U.K. (2013) Associations between physical activity and characteristics of urban green space. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, 12 (1), pp. 109-116.
Schipperijn, J., Cerin, E., Adams, M. A., Reis, R., Smith, G., Cain, K., &Mitas, J. (2017) Access to parks and physical activity: An eight-country comparison. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, 27, pp. 253-263.
So, S. W. (2016). Urban Green Space Accessibility and Environmental Justice: A GIS-Based Analysis in the City of Phoenix, Arizona (University of Southern California). Retrieved from https://spatial.usc.edu/wp-
content/uploads/2016/07/So-Shuk-Wai.pdf
Sreetheran, M. (2017). Exploring the urban park use, preference and behaviours among the residents of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, 25, 85-93.
Sturm, R., & Cohen, D. (2014) Proximity to urban parks and mental health. The journal of mental health policy and economics, 17(1), pp. 19 -24.
Sugiyama, T., Francis, J., Middleton, N.J., Owen, N., Giles-Corti, B. (2010). Associations between recreational walking and attractiveness, size, and proximity of neighbourhood open spaces. American Journal of Public Health, 100 (9), 17521757.
Taylor, B. T., Fernando, P., Bauman, A. E., Williamson, A., Craig, J. C., & Redman, S. (2011). Measuring the quality of public open space using Google Earth. American journal of preventive medicine, 40(2), 105- 112.
Tinsley, H.E.A., Tinsley, D.J. and Croskeys, C.E. (2002) Park usage, social milieu and psychosocial benefits of park use reported by older urban park users from four ethnic groups, Leisure Sciences, 24, pp. 199-218.
Thompson, C.W.; Travlou, P. (2007) Open Space: People Space; Taylor & Francis Group: Abingdon, London, UK.
Toftager, M., Ekholm, O., Schipperijn, J., Stigsdotter, U.K., Bentsen, P., Gronbsk, M., KamperJorgensen, F. (2011) Distance to green space and physical activity: A Danish national representative survey. Journal of Physical Activity and Health, 8, pp. 741-749.
Ward Thompson, C., & Aspinall, P. A. (2011) Natural environments and their impact on activity, health, and quality of life. Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being, 3, pp. 230-260.
Wright Wendel, H. E., Zarger, R. K., &Mihelcic, J. R. (2012) Accessibility and usability: Green space preferences, perceptions, and barriers in a rapidly urbanizing city in Latin America. Landscape and Urban Planning, 107, pp. 272-282.
Walker, J. R., & Crompton, J. L. (2012). The relationship of household proximity to park use. Journal of Park and Recreation Administration, 30(3), pp. 52-63.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright & Creative Commons Licence
eISSN: 0128-0945 © Year. The Authors. Published for Malaysia Institute of Planners. This is an open-access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license.
The authors hold the copyright without restrictions and also retain publishing rights without restrictions.
