Visitors’ Demands and the Present Supply of Recreational Services in Urban Parks in Shanghai (China)

This investigation explores the present state of Shanghai’s endeavor to offer parks which meet the users’ recreational needs by investigating two new and two old urban parks. The applied approach equally considers visitors’ demands and motivations for park visits and present supply of recreational services in parks, which allow the exposure of possible deficiencies in this respect. A diverse set of methods is employed encompassing qualitative methods (guideline-based interviews) and quantitative methods (mapping of the study areas and survey questionnaire with 431 participants). The survey results indicate that visitors are generally satisfied with the provided park structures in the investigated parks. Yet, mapping and observation outcomes point to livelier atmospheres, and more diverse recreation offers in the old parks. The park users are particularly attracted by the possibility to be in contact with nature, to find relaxation, and to do exercises in green spaces. The identified park attributes beneficial for recreation range from physical park features, such as diverse facilities and moderate vegetation density, to non-physical aspects such as tranquility, privacy, and the impression of refuge. Cognitive, emotional, behavioral, and social aspects appear to have a considerable impact on user preferences.