Research on the Influencing Factors of Users’ Perception of the Inclusiveness of Urban Parks Based on the Grounded Theory

Abstract

The improvement of the inclusiveness of urban parks can guarantee the recreational opportunities and experience of different user groups, especially the vulnerable ones, and is also an important way to promote the justice of urban green landscape. The research explores the influencing factors to park users’ perception and evaluation on the inclusiveness of urban parks. Through the three-level data coding and analysis, a model consisting of eight main categories (i.e. site conditions, site usage, independent mobility, supply-demand matching capacity of space and facilities, interference and limitation of recreational activities, positive emotional experience, broad social participation, and place identity) which cover 30 influencing factors to individuals’ perception of the inclusiveness of urban parks is established. The model shows that park users evaluate the inclusiveness of urban parks upon their observation of site conditions and usage, and their own recreational experience; while the latter is affected by both physical and psychological factors related to passive exclusion and active exclusion, according to the concept of design exclusion. The disparity of the physical environmental quality of urban parks would lead to users’ different emotions and feelings about recreational activities. The model helps clarify the path and key factors of inclusiveness evaluation and provides a theoretical reference for future research and practice of landscape justice.

Keywords

Urban Green Spaces / Landscape Justice / Social Equity / Inclusive Design / Design Exclusion / Grounded Theory / Model

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