Urban Green Areas – their functions under a changing lifestyle of ...

Sunday is the most popular day to visit parks (see figure 4.4); the number of visitors is
5.3 % higher than the average number during weekdays. Saturday seems to have no specific
position in the course of a week. This analysis of visitors over the course of a week is not
statistically significant because it is not based on sufficient counting days, but it offers a
first basis for discussion and further studies.
4.2.2 Over the course of the day
By focusing on Bach Thao park, an example can now be given of visitors over the course of
a complete day, (see figure 4.5). The expected two peaks can be confirmed but with a clear
ranking:
5 p.m. is the top peak hour and
6 a.m. is the second peak period with two-thirds the number of visitors of the top
peak hour.
11 a.m. represents a peak of a third lower - just before noon, when the park is least
busy.
The peaks are 5 to 6 times higher than the bottom points (at noon). Because of this, two
points can be concluded:
Firstly, the large gaps determine how overwhelmed the park is in the early mornings and
late afternoons, (see LUONG/STEINGRUBE 2012). But is there enough time in between
the two peaks for the park’s eco-system to recover or not? If we offer more space to fit the
large number during the “rush hours”, then a problem is that there is more ‘sleeping’ space
in middle of the day, which costs a lot of money. On the other hand, the question for park
designers and managers would be when conflicts between park users arise. For example,
joggers do not like badminton players, because those players use the tracks where they jog.
Secondly, distances between the gaps, in term of quantity and time, change a little during
the course of the seasons. Because of the change in hours of light, the weather affects
people’s behaviour on a more or less seasonal basis. However, further studies are needed
for a more accurate conclusion.
Figure 4.5 also shows that there is no large contrast between the number of male and female
users during the days. Just to explain the small difference: Women use the park more often
than men in the morning. Then, in the afternoon, it is the men’s turn to use the park more
than the women. So, in general, space and facilities would be offered in balance to both
male and female users. It depends on their specific activities; so park designers could offer
separate areas or overlapping areas for use at different times.
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