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

Shixian Luo, Jing Xie and Katsunori Furuya
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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

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 12, 1-18

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.

Keywords: COVID-19 pandemic; management; urban green space; visiting motive; well-being (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (6)

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