A Study on Present Shanghai Urban Inhabitants' Leisure Activities and Sites

Abstract

This study was initiated to clarify the significance of urban green open space by obtaining data on, and illustrating details concerning Shanghai urban inhabitants′ daily leisure activities and sites. The authors have carried out a small-scale questionnaire around People′s Square in Shanghai, with this topic as its focus. The method of the questionnaire was that of an objective spot check. The authors have carried out some statistical work and analyzed the data as follows: interviewee′s age, gender, occupation, educational level, daily leisure time, leisure categories, leisure sites, reasons for choices, motivation of leisure, and main opinions regarding outdoor leisure sites. Finally, the authors have drawn the following conclusions: Present Shanghai urban inhabitants have relatively adequate daily leisure time and disposable income, but the categories of leisure activities are small and most of them are traditional and static in form. Compared to western developed countries, the leisure standards of Shanghai urban inhabitants are still in the early stages, and the present number of outdoor leisure sites are too few. The distribution of these sites within the city is poor, outdoor leisure sites should be low in cost or free, and with public green open space as the most popular type, afforestation efforts should be greatly enhanced in Shanghai. The designers of the sites should take into account differences in age among the users, and the management and maintenance systems should also be perfected.