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The Relationship between User Perception and Preference of Greenway Trail Characteristics in Urban Areas

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  • Junga Lee

    (Department of Forestry and Landscape Architecture, Sanghuh College of Life Sciences, Konkuk University, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 05029, Korea)

  • Hyung-Sook Lee

    (Department of Landscape Architecture, Kyungpook National University, 80 Daehakro, Bukgu, Daegu 41566, Korea)

  • Daeyoung Jeong

    (Division of Environmental Science & Ecological Engineering, College of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Korea University, 145 Anam-ro, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul 02841, Korea)

  • C. Scott Shafer

    (Recreation, Park and Tourism Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77840, USA)

  • Jinhyung Chon

    (Division of Environmental Science & Ecological Engineering, College of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Korea University, 145 Anam-ro, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul 02841, Korea)

Abstract

Greenways provide multiple benefits for trail users’ individual experiences based on users’ background environment and their perceptions of characteristics such as the trail width, vegetation, water, and facilities. Although greenway trail characteristics are important factors that affect users’ preferences, only a few studies have examined individuals’ experiences of greenways based on their perceptions and preferences. The purpose of this study is to examine how greenway trails can be designed to improve users’ experiences in relation to their perceptions and preferences by considering trail characteristics. We examine the relationship between greenway trail characteristics and likability using t -tests as well as correlation and multiple regression analyses. In the current study, virtual tour surveys of greenway users were conducted, with two urban greenway trails as the study sites: Town Lake Trail in Austin, Texas, and Buffalo Bayou Trail in Houston, Texas. Perceptions of all eight greenway trail characteristics, except for background buildings, were significantly different between the trails, and a significant difference in likability was found for five characteristics (the presence of water, trail facilities, trail width, adjacent automobile traffic, and built structures on the trail). In addition, the results of the correlation and multiple regression analyses revealed that the presence of water, amount of vegetation, automobile traffic, and built structures were correlated with likability. These findings suggest that designing appropriate types of greenway trails can help increase users’ likeability ratings of urban greenways. This study contributes to the enhancement of trail environments by providing strategies for practitioners to effectively design and manage greenways.

Suggested Citation

  • Junga Lee & Hyung-Sook Lee & Daeyoung Jeong & C. Scott Shafer & Jinhyung Chon, 2019. "The Relationship between User Perception and Preference of Greenway Trail Characteristics in Urban Areas," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(16), pages 1-16, August.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:16:p:4438-:d:258315
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Fei Zhao & Rui Nie & Jia’en Zhang, 2018. "Greenway Implementation Influence on Agricultural Heritage Sites (AHS): The Case of Liantang Village of Zengcheng District, Guangzhou City, China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(2), pages 1-16, February.
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    1. Chrysa Vizmpa & George Botzoris & Panagiotis Lemonakis & Athanasios Galanis, 2023. "Micromobility in Urban Trail Paths: Expanding and Strengthening the Planning of 15-Minute Cities," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(12), pages 1-22, December.
    2. Zheng Zhao & Huimin Gan & Xin Qian & Jiahui Leng & Yanbin Wang & Peipei Wu, 2021. "Riverside Greenway in Urban Environment: Residents’ Perception and Use of Greenways along the Huangpu River in Shanghai, China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(3), pages 1-22, January.
    3. Nannan Zhao & Zheng Liu & Yanliu Lin & Bruno De Meulder, 2019. "User, Public, and Professional Perceptions of the Greenways in the Pearl River Delta, China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(24), pages 1-16, December.
    4. Natalia Fumagalli & Matteo Maccarini & Roberto Rovelli & Rita Berto & Giulio Senes, 2020. "An Exploratory Study of Users’ Preference for Different Planting Combinations along Rural Greenways," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(5), pages 1-19, March.
    5. Liang Li & Xinyue Gao & Jingni Li & Lu Meng & Ziyao Wang & Lu Yang, 2022. "Difference of Usage Behavior between Urban Greenway and Suburban Greenway: A Case Study in Beijing, China," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(8), pages 1-17, August.
    6. Bin Xu & Qingxia Shi & Yaping Zhang, 2022. "Evaluation of the Health Promotion Capabilities of Greenway Trails: A Case Study in Hangzhou, China," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(4), pages 1-21, April.
    7. Misagh Mottaghi & Jonas Nordström & Salar Haghighatafshar & Karin Jönsson & Mattias Kärrholm & Catharina Sternudd, 2023. "Caring for Blue-Green Solutions (BGS) in Everyday Life: An Investigation of Recreational Use, Neighborhood Preferences and Willingness to Pay in Augustenborg, Malmö," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(2), pages 1-18, January.
    8. Abdulrahman A. Zawawi & Nicole Porter & Christopher D. Ives, 2023. "Influences on Greenways Usage for Active Transportation: A Systematic Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(13), pages 1-37, July.

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