Spatial Distributions and Use Patterns of User Groups in Urban Forest Parks: an Examination Utilizing GPS Tracker

Yujia Zhai (Tongji University)

Urban forest parks are important resources that provide multiple benefits to their visitors. Understanding the spatial distribution of visitors is critical for park planning and management. Utilizing GPS trackers and a survey, this study focuses on two large urban forest parks in Shanghai, China, to identify the main user groups and explore their spatial distribution patterns, use patterns and preferred park settings. User spatial distribution information was collected using GPS trackers with a 10-second interval. The study involved valid data from 134 users in Gongqing forest park and 170 users in Paotaiwan forest park. The results indicate that Chinese users usually visit urban forest parks in small groups with families or friends. The three major user groups are those come to play with children, have contact with nature and relax, and get together with families and friends. The average nearest neighbor and standard deviational ellipse analyses indicate that, compared to the other two groups, users who come to have contact with nature and relax engage in more vigorous activities, are more spatially dispersed and explore larger areas of forest parks. Logistic regression and hotspot analyses suggest that users who come to play with children and get together with families and friends prefer to stay in areas that can accommodate group activities, such as amusement areas, lawns, and barbeque sites. Points of interest in the park, such as the quarry garden and memorial square, tend to attract users who want to have contact with nature and relax. These findings provide evidence-based implications for urban forest park planning and management. Designers may provide identified preferred park settings and spacious activity zones to accommodate group activities, and disperse park features preferred by different user groups to avoid potential conflicts between visitors with social-oriented and nature-oriented motivations.