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Use of Urban Green Spaces in the Context of Lifestyle Changes during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Tokyo

Author

Listed:
  • Takahiro Yamazaki

    (Department of Urban Engineering, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan
    Department of Environmental Design, School of Arts and Design, Kobe Design University, Hyogo 651-2196, Japan)

  • Akiko Iida

    (Department of Urban Engineering, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan)

  • Kimihiro Hino

    (Department of Urban Engineering, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan)

  • Akito Murayama

    (Department of Urban Engineering, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan)

  • U Hiroi

    (Department of Urban Engineering, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan)

  • Toru Terada

    (Department of Natural Environmental Studies, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Chiba 277-8563, Japan)

  • Hideki Koizumi

    (Department of Urban Engineering, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan)

  • Makoto Yokohari

    (Department of Urban Engineering, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan)

Abstract

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic of 2020 drastically changed urban lifestyles. Workers were forced to minimize commuting to their workplaces, older adults were banned from using meeting facilities, and children were prohibited from going to school. The consequent lack of exercise, accumulated stress, and reduced well-being are likely to have become problems, which may be improved by using urban green spaces (UGS). This study clarified the characteristics of users of UGS in Tokyo during the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on telecommuters, older adults, and families with children. An online questionnaire survey was conducted among Tokyo residents, and 3085 responses were obtained. A binomial logistic regression analysis was conducted with the use and evaluation of UGS as the objective variables. The results showed that older adults and families with children who had been using UGS before the pandemic and telecommuters who newly started using UGS during the pandemic used UGS differently. Older adults and families with children tended to use small parks and appreciated human connections. Telecommuters often used greenways, temples, and shrines, valuing stress-reducing functions. Given that a changing lifestyle brings new UGS users new preferences, urban planners should consider that UGS require change with the time.

Suggested Citation

  • Takahiro Yamazaki & Akiko Iida & Kimihiro Hino & Akito Murayama & U Hiroi & Toru Terada & Hideki Koizumi & Makoto Yokohari, 2021. "Use of Urban Green Spaces in the Context of Lifestyle Changes during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Tokyo," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(17), pages 1-16, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:17:p:9817-:d:627237
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. 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.
    3. So-Hee Park & Chuyoun Chang, 2022. "Impact of Changes in Forest Use Caused by the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Perception of Forest Ecosystem Services in the Republic of Korea," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(17), pages 1-19, September.
    4. 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.
    5. Mohammad Reza Khalilnezhad & Francesca Ugolini & Luciano Massetti, 2021. "Attitudes and Behaviors toward the Use of Public and Private Green Space during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Iran," Land, MDPI, vol. 10(10), pages 1-22, October.

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