Outdoor recreation and Covid-19 – post pandemic consequences for nature area planning and management

• After the pandemic began in 2020, reports on increasing public interest in nature and outdoor recreation surfaced. Examples and discussions came from all corners of the Nordic countries and were echoed globally. Preliminary observations, especially among area managers of nature areas, saw a rapid increase in visitor numbers. In some areas, so many visitors arrived that it was difficult to manage all guests and activities. This presentation highlights key findings and reflections on consequences in the planning for outdoor recreation resources in post pandemic times. The base is three studies from Sweden and Denmark with a focus on outdoor recreation during the pandemic. Using surveys, interviews and PPGIS approaches, results reveal several important planning aspects based on trends observed during the pandemic, e.g. increased outdoor recreation participation, new activity trends and various changes in spatial preferences. It is suggested that particular attention should be given to several planning measures with spatial consequences, including more investment in and potential expansion of blue-green infrastructures and areas designated for recreation. Important is also securing easy access to recreational resources, both inside residential areas and in the vicinity of densely populated urban areas. More practical area-based planning considerations, such as increased parking facilities, better transportation option to and from nature areas, broadening of trails, more active use of zoning as well as intensified monitoring of ecological and social conditions are also highlighted. In the coming years, the work is of special interest to planners working with nature areas for outdoor recreation, who can use the presented knowledge to be inspired and structure future planning activities. Moreover, planners can take advantage of increased outdoor recreation participation during Covid-19 toward supporting a reverse of a general societal loss of nature experience. Finally, potentially positive outcomes of increased nature experience, such as an increased opportunity for connectedness to nature, may be able to focus planning on human nature experience in ways that support human well-being and the development of pro-environmental behaviors.

Ämnesord

SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP  -- Social och ekonomisk geografi -- Kulturgeografi (hsv//swe)

SOCIAL SCIENCES  -- Social and Economic Geography -- Human Geography (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Outdoor recreation

Covid-19

pandemic

planning

management

nature

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vet (ämneskategori)

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