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“We Need such a Space”: Residents’ Motives for Visiting Urban Green Spaces during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Author

Listed:
  • Shixian Luo

    (Graduate School of Horticulture, Chiba University, Chiba 271-8510, Japan)

  • Jing Xie

    (College of Landscape Architecture, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China)

  • Katsunori Furuya

    (Graduate School of Horticulture, Chiba University, Chiba 271-8510, Japan)

Abstract

Since the outbreak of the Novel Coronavirus Pneumonia in 2019, several cities have been blocked to prevent the expansion of the infection. This qualitative study aimed to determine the motives of urban residents for visiting urban green spaces during the epidemic (especially within the context of the city blockade), and what might weaken these motives. In total, 47 residents (17 men and 30 women) were recruited from Chengdu, in China, to participate in interviews. A thematic analysis was used to analyze the interview data. According to the results, the motives of the respondents were divided into strong motives and weak motives. These strong motives for visiting UGS can be divided into four themes: “A place for health”, “Escape”, “Social support”, and “A safe and important place for outdoor activities”. Residents classified as the weak motive primarily considered the reasons of “Keep distance with others”, “Potential infection risk” and “Seek compensation”. The results of this study are significant for current and future urban management, green space planning, and social well-being.

Suggested Citation

  • Shixian Luo & Jing Xie & Katsunori Furuya, 2021. "“We Need such a Space”: Residents’ Motives for Visiting Urban Green Spaces during the COVID-19 Pandemic," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(12), pages 1-18, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:12:p:6806-:d:576075
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    2. Alesandros Glaros & Geoff Luehr & Zhenzhong Si & Steffanie Scott, 2022. "Ecological Civilization in Practice: An Exploratory Study of Urban Agriculture in Four Chinese Cities," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(10), pages 1-16, September.
    3. Odilia Renaningtyas Manifesty & Junga Lee, 2022. "A Spatial Adaptation Strategy for Safe Campus Open Spaces during the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Case of Korea University," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(15), pages 1-15, July.
    4. Xiangting He & Tongguang Zang & Bingyu Sun & Konomi Ikebe, 2023. "Tourists’ Motives for Visiting Historic Conservation Areas in the Post-Pandemic Era: A Case Study of Kuanzhai Alley in Chengdu, China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-16, February.
    5. Jiwon Kim & Youngjin Ko & Whijin Kim & Gaeun Kim & Jeongmin Lee & Olebogeng Thelma G. Eyman & Sarwat Chowdhury & Julie Adiwal & Yowhan Son & Woo-Kyun Lee, 2023. "Understanding the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Perception and Use of Urban Green Spaces in Korea," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-17, February.
    6. Anna Domaradzka & Mikołaj Biesaga & Ewa Domaradzka & Magdalena Kołodziejczyk, 2022. "The Civil City Framework for the Implementation of Nature-Based Smart Innovations: Right to a Healthy City Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(16), pages 1-20, August.

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