Urban Parks as Perceived by City Residents with Mobility Difficulties: A Qualitative Study with In-Depth Interviews

Magdalena Wojnowska-Heciak, Marzena Suchocka, Magdalena Błaszczyk and Magdalena Muszyńska
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Magdalena Wojnowska-Heciak: Department of Landscape Architecture, Institute of Environmental Engineering, Warsaw University of Life Sciences—SGGW, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland
Marzena Suchocka: Department of Landscape Architecture, Institute of Environmental Engineering, Warsaw University of Life Sciences—SGGW, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland
Magdalena Błaszczyk: Department of Landscape Architecture, Institute of Environmental Engineering, Warsaw University of Life Sciences—SGGW, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland
Magdalena Muszyńska: Department of Landscape Architecture, Institute of Environmental Engineering, Warsaw University of Life Sciences—SGGW, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 4, 1-19

Abstract: Urban green spaces make an invaluable contribution to the health and well-being of all city residents. Therefore, urban park quality and accessibility are crucial factors in stimulating physical and mental health benefits. This study aimed to assess the quality of urban parks and their accessibility as reported by people with mobility difficulties (seniors, blind and partially sighted people). Four key features of a place (accessibility and linkages, comfort and image, uses and activities and sociability) were considered in an in-depth-interviews (IDI) and “walk-and-talk” interviews. Study results indicate a problem of accessibility of urban parks for people with mobility difficulties (uneven gravel surfaces). However, non-physical aspects of park visits (social activities, cultural events, place branding) were reported as essential factors in explaining the motivation for park visits. Despite individual preferences, experience or reported difficulties, all respondents’ attitudes towards park trips were positive. Therefore, we assume that accessibility is more than just physical comfort. Cultural and social activities play an important role in motivating people with a disability to visit a park.

Keywords: urban parks; accessibility; people with mobility difficulties; pavement surface; user perspective (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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