The Geographic Approach to Problems

1 The exploration of spatial arrangement: the distribution of spatial phenomena

2 The exploration of the relationships between the factors studied in 1 above

3 The exploration of spatial process: changes in the factors and relationships that produce changes in location and usage

Spatial Arrangement

• Just the facts ma’am

• Skill in selection

• Diligence in compilation– mapping - if appropriate

Linkages between Factors• Relationships that have a cause/effect

appearance– note may appear related but still need justification

(perfect correlations may be useless)

• Simple relationship - simpler explanations

• Complex, multiple relationships?

Spatial Process - Change Over Time

• If the process is understood, can the relationships be projected into the future?– If age is an influence on actions, then knowledge of

future age groups should help– do not bet the farm

• As any factor changes, an interlinked system will adjust– large scale projects - time for development

CONCLUSIONS

• The Geography of Recreation deals with the location and use of recreation facilities

• We need to understand the motivations of population segments

• The end results are a product of multiple factors, all interacting and all changeable

Recreation and Tourism are Loosey-Goosey terms

DEFINITIONS OF KEY TERMS

• Problems with setting definitions

1 Disagreement on range and wording of definitions� range of opportunities within a set definition

(example of dining)� general agreement may be wrong

2 The straightjacket of definitions� studies pushing the boundaries may not ‘fit’

general acceptance of research (problem of limiting understanding)

3 Change over time� subjects change over time (additions,

subtractions)

NEED FOR DEFINITION

1 The advantage of focus� Difficulty of limiting research (boundaries of

areas)

2 The need for consistency� Need for replication of studies (advantage of

confirmation of findings)

GOODALL- on recreation -

• “ANY PURSUIT OR ACTIVITY, UNDERTAKEN VOLUNTARILY,

PRIMARILY FOR PLEASURE AND SATISFACTION, DURING

LEISURE TIME”

LEISURE• Disagreements about the meaning of leisure

– can you be at leisure if you are disadvantaged?

• Webster’s definition - “freedom provided by the cessation of activities, especially time free from work or duties”

• Use then as free timefree time, or spare timespare time, or optional optional time - time - discretionary timediscretionary time

DIVISION OF ACTIVITY AND TIME

• Leisure then, as discretionary time, is outside of survival time

• recreation then is activity within leisure time– question is the use of the time - what is

recreational?

From the Statement - a set of ideas related to opportunity, choice and a state of mind

1 Available opportunities

2 Choice of participation or not

3 Satisfaction of the mind/spirit - gratification

4 Having leisure time in which to recreate

Available Opportunities• Opportunity refers to having ‘things to do’ -

therefore relating to activities

• Planners and managers with the system are responsible for provision of these opportunities

• Dangerous possibility that recreation is reduced to participation in activities

Definitions + recreation and tourism planners

• Guided by the definitions

• tasks– definition of goals/objectives/targets– planning budgets/investment – location and development of sites

Definitions + recreation and tourism planners

• If recreation is ‘activities’ - may lead to:

1 activities become the ends rather than the means

2 supply dictates preferences - latent demand is rarely considered

3 demand is seen as past/current consumption

Recreation as a List of Activities• Additional problems with this approach

1 Individual perception of recreational activity will vary from individual to individual - list are inclusive and exclusive

2 Situations and factors change meaning that the perception of ‘enjoyable’ recreation can change

Opportunity and Availability

• Also there are problems when we consider that a physical presence (facility and activities) may not mean that there is an opportunity for recreation

• link to the second consideration - choice

“Free” Time?Recreation takes place in leisure time - but

that does not remove constraints

• Lack of money

• Lack of access

• Lack of skills

• Lack of equipment

• Lack of information

• Scheduling of the facility

• Family responsibilities

• Lack of time

• So a concern for the provision of opportunities needs a consideration of means

• Opportunity has to be balanced– concern for mixture of public with

private