Shared residential outdoor space : what residents do there and the features that support high levels of usage

• Main Author: Griffin, Amanda C.
• Published: University of Warwick 2012
• Subjects: 620; GV Recreation Leisure
• Online Access: http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.572932

Shared residential outdoor space (ROS) is an important resource, especially in urban areas where outdoor space is limited. This study investigates how well shared ROS is used by residents. Data was collected from 129 developments and streets using a postal questionnaire. 346 different areas within the selected sites were measured using the Carto tool of EDINA’s Digimap. Different types of layout were identified; the area of residential outdoor space available per dwelling was calculated and the distance along a walking route to the nearest shop and public open spaces was measured for each area. Aerial and birds-eye view satellite photographs from www.bing.com were used to assess greenness and tree cover and to confirm the layout and era of the buildings. 1328 valid questionnaires were returned. These are considered in three sets: shared ROS only; individual ROS only and both shared and individual ROS. Respondents with only shared ROS available report significantly lower levels of usage than respondents in the other two sets. Variables that vary across the sets and with levels of usage are identified. These are investigated using a casebased, rather than a variable-based method, using fsQCA software developed by Ragin (2008). This enables sets of variables linked with high and low usage of shared ROS to be identified. The most influential attributes are: area of ROS per dwelling, number of households sharing the ROS, greenness, maximum floor level of the dwelling and concerns about noise and privacy. Six interviews and consideration of nine specific developments show that uncertainty about what is ‘allowed’ and concerns about not upsetting neighbours are also inhibitors to using shared ROS. Recommendations are made for improving how well shared residential outdoor spaces are used.