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 time, or spare time, or
optional time - discretionary 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 information
• Lack of access
• Lack of skills
• Scheduling of the
facility
• Family responsibilities
• Lack of equipment
• 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