[HCG20-P05] Perceptions and usage preferences of residents for a riverside in an urban area
Keywords:Riverside, Preferences, Residents
Introduction
With the expansion of urbanization, urban green space is gradually decreasing. Riversides, as blue-green open spaces, play an essential role in daily life . They provide a space for people to interact with nature and for sports and recreation in an urban area. Katsushika Ward in Tokyo has a high population density and little public open space. The riverside in the ward accounts for 60% of the public open space and is expected to provide the utmost advantage from its use. Thus, it is vital to know the thoughts of residents concerning the river and their usage preferences for the riverside when planning and managing the riverside.
Method
We distributed 1,000 questionnaires to one resident per household in Katsushika Ward, Tokyo. A total of 122 questionnaires were returned. Respondents were asked which structures they would want to use on a riverside, how they feel about the structures that already exist, and basic information of age, gender, and occupation.
Result & Conclusion
The data from the residents showed that they want more natural open space (70%) and bicycle paths (75%) for exercise than open coffee areas (51%). Among the 122 respondents, 81 residents had used the Arakawa riverside. The distance from home to the riverside was the most influencing factor for people who did not use the riverside. Even if many types of use were suggested, respondents almost always focused on sports and interaction with nature. As the reason for these favored uses, residents stated that the Arakawa riverside is wide open space that provides access to nature and a safe environment. The result of the study led us to conclude that resident perceptions and usage preferences for the riverside should be taken into consideration in the planning and managing of the riverside.
With the expansion of urbanization, urban green space is gradually decreasing. Riversides, as blue-green open spaces, play an essential role in daily life . They provide a space for people to interact with nature and for sports and recreation in an urban area. Katsushika Ward in Tokyo has a high population density and little public open space. The riverside in the ward accounts for 60% of the public open space and is expected to provide the utmost advantage from its use. Thus, it is vital to know the thoughts of residents concerning the river and their usage preferences for the riverside when planning and managing the riverside.
Method
We distributed 1,000 questionnaires to one resident per household in Katsushika Ward, Tokyo. A total of 122 questionnaires were returned. Respondents were asked which structures they would want to use on a riverside, how they feel about the structures that already exist, and basic information of age, gender, and occupation.
Result & Conclusion
The data from the residents showed that they want more natural open space (70%) and bicycle paths (75%) for exercise than open coffee areas (51%). Among the 122 respondents, 81 residents had used the Arakawa riverside. The distance from home to the riverside was the most influencing factor for people who did not use the riverside. Even if many types of use were suggested, respondents almost always focused on sports and interaction with nature. As the reason for these favored uses, residents stated that the Arakawa riverside is wide open space that provides access to nature and a safe environment. The result of the study led us to conclude that resident perceptions and usage preferences for the riverside should be taken into consideration in the planning and managing of the riverside.