IN-PERSON London. Section A

Abstract

Outdoor recreation spaces (ORS) are pivotal components of healthy neighbourhood design, fostering well-being, community cohesion, and urban sustainability. As we navigate the post-COVID-19 landscape, understanding the intricate fabric of ORS experiences becomes paramount in shaping resilient and liveable urban environments. This paper aims to share our research on Singaporeans’ lived experiences of ORS. Our study seeks to develop a comprehensive understanding of the “when, who, where, how, and why” of ORS in the context of high-rise, high-density neighbourhoods. We employ a mixed-methods approach that combines a nation-wide community survey (n=1200), walkalong interviews (n=60), and systematic on-site observation across five ORS typologies in three key planning areas to delve into the spatial nuances and needs among Singapore’s multi-cultural population and discern patterns in ORS usage and experiences at national and planning area levels. New information is collected relating to individual intrapersonal factors, interpersonal processes, community, and institutional factors affecting ORS use patterns in live-work-learn-play neighbourhoods. This is linked to micro- and meso-scale place-based information of different socio-demographic groups and accessibility of ORS (e.g., local environmental factors like geographic proximity, perceived space accessibility, past use, social conditions, and perceptions). Through this multifaceted aspect, we aim to develop evidence-informed strategies for future-ready outdoor recreation space planning and design.