Ortal KerenOrtal KerenThe Department of GeographyThe Department of Geography

The Hebrew University of JerusalemThe Hebrew University of JerusalemSupervisor: Professor E. Razin Supervisor: Professor E. Razin

11 . . Local Government (LG) in a changing world:

Is more initiatinginitiating and has a growing impact on the lifestyle improvement of its residents. During the last decade LG has operated to improveimprove healthhealth and local sustainability (local investment), alongside an increasing commitmentcommitment to its

residents: better quality of lifequality of life (welfare as well as health)

2. However, a high rate of chronic diseases has been observed.

There is a lack of physical activity lack of physical activity among people, despite the fact that so much is known about the importance

of sport and its benefits to our well-beingwell-being

Questions, hypothesis, theories and Setting variables: dependent (usage the fatilitiesusage the fatilities: 1,0) and independent variables (personal characteristics personal characteristics – age:1,2,3 , site characteristicssite characteristics, timetime

of day, week, month)

Target population Target population : Haifa residents (from youngest to most elderly)

Research areaResearch area: Haifa city (“case study”)

Research tools:Research tools: Three complementary tools Interviews Closed questionnaires ObservationsObservations

1.1. MappingMapping and selecting four diverse research sites

3. The processprocess of observations: step-by-step

5.5. CurrentCurrent f indings f indings (qualitative and quantitative)

7.7. Analysis Analysis

9.9. AdvantagesAdvantages and disadvantagesdisadvantages and some insightsinsights…

Four parks in selected points in the city: Two Two on the beach, and twotwo others in or between

neighborhood spaces of both similar and varying characteristics.

Two months : Sept-Oct. 2010, morning and evening throughout the week

including weekends.

Each observation takes half an hour: DescribingDescribing the surrounding area ( during the first week*) Filling out Fill ing out the observation sheet each time according to

specific criteria DocumentingDocumenting users’ impressions

Describing the outdoor park area:

Explanation Variables Neighborhood , quarter, sub-quarter etc Scale (By subjective evaluation (& *GIS analysisSlopeSand, grass, asphalt, rubber surfaceGround covering Benches, street lighting, drinking water facilitiesOutdoor Furniture and

ShadingGood, badMaintenance mode

Pedestrian or bike trails Connectivi ty Playing and tennis courts, walking pathsProximity to other outdoor

sports facil i t iesConvenient paths in general and for the elderly and disabled in particular

Accessibil i ty

Observing people’s activities and noting, simultaneously: Explanation Variables

There are four parks which are investigatedThe location name

Of day ,Of week, of monthTime

Attendance per observation, without categorizing People: - The number of people attending during observation

Child, youth (up to 30), adult (including elderly up to 70)

- Age evaluation of each person

Active – by using the facilities Active – self aerobic exercises near facilitiesNot active at all

- Being active or not

My comments (when needed)

Explanation Variables

If I succeeded hearing something, I noted it immediately (language, age evaluation)

Overhearing peoples’ conversation

If people asked questions or just start talking with me about sports or other things, I noted it

Engaging in conversation

Ramat SapirDaniel GardenSouth Dado beachZamir Dado beach kidsadultskidsadultskidsadultsyouthkidsadultsyouth

morning602301266314885Evening207172910453365411

Age distribution 267195922111641014216

(n=470) Total100%

33

7%78

17%197

41%162

35%

Number ofNumber ofpeople attending people attending

Attendance of people in each park (average per observation)

Zamir Zamir Dado beachDado beach

South South Dado beachDado beach

Daniel Garden Daniel Garden (Pika)(Pika)

Ramat SapirRamat Sapir

3. A. Quantitative findings:3. A. Quantitative findings: Attendance of people in each park* (per day)

*active: 470 *not active at all : 9

Distribution by age

Ramat Sapir

Zamir Dado beach South Dado beach

Most conversations were conducted by adults

Most subjects of conversation concerned life, daily , daily routine routine (weather, own children, works etc.). In part,

especially by young boys, conversations focused on sports, sports, fitness, training fitness, training and particularly on the available facilities.Many elderly people were talking about using the facilities, “how to use it?” etc

The childrenchildren around, perceived the facilities as a game: jumping, running, telling some stories

3. B. Qualitative findings:

XX…X.X.?XX…X.X.?X//…XX?/X//…XX?/

We see that most users are adults adults Socioeconomic status: Socioeconomic status: Russian language and and Outdoor-Gym facilities

The beach area beach area is a more visited site than others:

Haifa beaches have always been perceived by residents as places for sports, fun, pleasure, social meetings and so on

The beaches addresses all needs, all needs, including fitness and physical activities

Daniel Garden - Daniel Garden - near a main road: accessibility or noise, danger ?

Ramat Sapir Outdoor Gym Ramat Sapir Outdoor Gym - almost not used (why?)

The place becomes a playground (79% are children)

In conclusion, there is a “wider perspectivewider perspective” which takes into consideration the varied needsvaried needs of its population. Moreover, we can see the demand of the population for such facilities

Advantages

General insights:General insights:*General insights into the patternspatterns of usage measuring by descriptive statistics just a way thinking about the world*Outdoor sports facilities probably have a particular effecteffect on peoples’ participation in physical activity* Locations and conectivities - thoughts and general insights about

locationlocation of facilities

AttractivenessAttractiveness: : There are Places which are probably more attractive than others

NeedsNeeds: somehow indicating the needs or requirements of a specific population

AccessibilityAccessibility: : Telling us about accessibilityaccessibility to the place as well as to the facilities there

Disadvantages

More detailsMore details:: *No data collected on gendergender variables (not tested)*Another way of Categorizing the age Categorizing the age variable as child, teenager, adult, elderly! *Data of the activityactivity : : Intensity , frequency, durationSample:Sample: Not enough observations! (The sample population is too small) Data collection: Data collection: : Funding is urgently needed for additional research

Time and placeTime and place:: “Lunch Time” needs to be explored as well as other seasons. more places of outdoor gym in Haifa need to be explored

Interviewing usersInterviewing users: what’s about how people feel

Time dimensionTime dimension: Is there a l ifestylelifestyle changechange? we don’t know…