Roovers, P., M. Hermy & H. Culinck, 2002, Visitor profile, perceptions and expectations in forest from a gradient of increasing urbanisation in central Belgium, in: Landscape and Urban Planning, , 3
- Author : Roovers, P., M. Hermy & H. Culinck
- Year : 2002
- Journal/Series : Landscape and Urban Planning
- Volume Number (ANNUAL: Counting Volumes of the Year shown above) : 3
- Pages : 129-145
- Abstract in English : This article is dealing with the recreational use of the forest complex of Heverlee-Meerdaal (Belgium). It describes activities and perceptions, preferences concerning structure and infrastructure of the forest area. Most of the people visit the forest on their own. Visit frequency and length are negatively correlated and strongly determined by the distance covered from the residence to the forest. Preferences and perceptions are influenced not only by social characteristics but also by recreation activities and their specific interests and demands. The findings should have consequences for planning, management and design. Forest structure and particularly heterogeneity on structure should be introduced into management plans. This structural variation in both for conservation and recreation more interesting than the perception of commercial forestry.
- Comments/Notes : KEYWORDS: urban forestry, recreation, preference, behaviour, vegetation structure, walking distance.