Park use, perceived park proximity, and neighborhood characteristics: Evidence from 11 cities in Latin America

Mika R. Moran, Daniel A. Rodríguez, Andrea Cotinez-O'Ryan, J. Jaime Miranda

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

This study examines how park use may be associated with perceived park proximity, neighborhood-built environment and perceived social disorder in Latin American cities. The study uses self-reported data from the 2016 CAF survey, including 7,970 urban residents from 11 cities across Latin America. Results show positive graded associations between perceived park proximity and use, holding all others constant. Additional factors that were found to be associated with park use are neighborhood formality and related built-environment characteristics, including paved streets and sidewalks. Park use was mostly unrelated to perceived social disorder, with the exception of indigence, with which it is was positively associated. Stronger associations between park proximity and use were observed among those who reported higher prevalence of indigence or begging in their household block. These findings stress the importance of perceived park proximity in enhancing their use in urban Latin America, and challenge the role of social disorder and crime as a barrier for park use.

Original languageEnglish
Article number102817
JournalCities
Volume105
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2020
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
This project was supported by the Wellcome Trust initiative, “Our Planet, Our Health” (Grant 205177/Z/16/Z ).

Publisher Copyright:
© 2020 The Authors

Keywords

  • Built environment
  • Latin America
  • Park use
  • Perceived park proximity
  • Perceived social disorder

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Development
  • Sociology and Political Science
  • Urban Studies
  • Tourism, Leisure and Hospitality Management

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