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What Attracts People to Visit Community Open Spaces? A Case Study of the Overseas Chinese Town Community in Shenzhen, China

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  • Yiyong Chen

    (School of Architecture & Urban Planning, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518000, China
    Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Built Environment Optimization, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518000, China)

  • Tao Liu

    (Center for Population and Development Studies, Renmin University of China, Beijing 100872, China)

  • Xiaohuan Xie

    (School of Architecture & Urban Planning, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518000, China
    Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Built Environment Optimization, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518000, China)

  • Barbara Goličnik Marušić

    (Urban Planning Institute of the Republic of Slovenia, Ljubljana SI 1000, Slovenia)

Abstract

A well-designed open space that encourages outdoor activity and social communication is a community asset that could potentially contribute to the health of local residents and social harmony of the community. Numerous factors may influence the use of each single space and may result in a variety of visitors. Compared with previous studies that focused on accessibility, this study highlights the relationship between the utilization and characteristics of community open spaces in China. The Overseas Chinese Town community in Shenzhen is regarded as an example. The association between the number of visitors and space characteristics is examined with multivariate regression models. Results show that large areas with accessible lawns, well-maintained footpaths, seats, commercial facilities, and water landscapes are important characteristics that could increase the use of community open spaces. However, adding green vegetation, sculptures, and landscape accessories in open spaces has limited effects on increasing the outdoor activities of residents. Thus, to increase the use of community open spaces, landscape designers should focus more on creating user-oriented spaces with facilities that encourage active use than on improving ornamental vegetation and accessories.

Suggested Citation

  • Yiyong Chen & Tao Liu & Xiaohuan Xie & Barbara Goličnik Marušić, 2016. "What Attracts People to Visit Community Open Spaces? A Case Study of the Overseas Chinese Town Community in Shenzhen, China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(7), pages 1-17, June.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:13:y:2016:i:7:p:644-:d:72943
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Monda, Keri L. & Gordon-Larsen, Penny & Stevens, June & Popkin, Barry M., 2007. "China's transition: The effect of rapid urbanization on adult occupational physical activity," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 64(4), pages 858-870, February.
    2. Jenny J. Roe & Catharine Ward Thompson & Peter A. Aspinall & Mark J. Brewer & Elizabeth I. Duff & David Miller & Richard Mitchell & Angela Clow, 2013. "Green Space and Stress: Evidence from Cortisol Measures in Deprived Urban Communities," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 10(9), pages 1-18, September.
    3. Kaczynski, A.T. & Potwarka, L.R. & Saelens P, B.E., 2008. "Association of park size, distance, and features with physical activity in neighborhood parks," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 98(8), pages 1451-1456.
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    2. Fangzheng Li & Fen Zhang & Xiong Li & Peng Wang & Junhui Liang & Yuting Mei & Wenwen Cheng & Yun Qian, 2017. "Spatiotemporal Patterns of the Use of Urban Green Spaces and External Factors Contributing to Their Use in Central Beijing," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(3), pages 1-17, February.
    3. Danning Zhang & Gabriel Hoh Teck Ling & Siti Hajar binti Misnan & Minglu Fang, 2023. "A Systematic Review of Factors Influencing the Vitality of Public Open Spaces: A Novel Perspective Using Social–Ecological Model (SEM)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(6), pages 1-19, March.
    4. Jake M. Robinson & Paul Brindley & Ross Cameron & Danielle MacCarthy & Anna Jorgensen, 2021. "Nature’s Role in Supporting Health during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Geospatial and Socioecological Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(5), pages 1-21, February.
    5. Obinna Justice Ubani & Micheal Oloyede Alabi & Emmanuel Ndukwe Chiemelu & Andrew Okosun & Chinwe Sam-Amobi, 2023. "Influence of Spatial Accessibility and Environmental Quality on Youths’ Visit to Green Open Spaces (GOS) in Akure, Nigeria," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(17), pages 1-21, September.

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