Amanda Johnson | University of Manitoba (original) (raw)
Papers by Amanda Johnson
Park availability and land use diversity (LUD) are independent environmental correlates of physic... more Park availability and land use diversity (LUD) are independent environmental correlates of physical activity (PA). This paper investigated whether parks were more likely to be used for PA if surrounded by greater LUD, as well as the interaction of LUD with the number of facilities in the park for predicting use of the park for PA. Facilities in 32 parks from 4 neighborhoods were audited and LUD around each park was calculated based on the residential, commercial, and institutional hectares within a 500 m polygon buffer. Physical activity log data from 384 adults in the 4 neighborhoods were used to determine which parks were used (18) or not used for PA during the study week. Parks were categorized into four groups (e.g., high LUD/high facilities) using the medians for LUD and number of facilities. Unexpectedly, greater LUD within a park's buffer was related to a lesser likelihood of the park being used for PA. Parks with low LUD and a higher number of facilities were most likely to be used for PA. Some elements contributing to higher LUD around parks may deter PA therein (e.g., commercial areas with busy streets), but greater surrounding LUD may be related to PA in parks among younger or older populations or to other non-active park behaviors.
For many people, the city is a landscape of everyday life. In cities, public spaces serve as venu... more For many people, the city is a landscape of everyday life. In cities, public spaces serve as venues for social interaction, sociability, conviviality, and the enactment of community. Despite their relevance to community life, however, urban spaces remain underexamined in the leisure literature. If researchers seek to understand leisure in the context of everyday experiences, they must also consider the spatial perspective in which leisure activities are pursued. In this research reflection, we argue that urban public spaces and some private spaces are fundamentally leisure settings that warrant greater research attention. We propose to broaden the conceptual understanding of what constitutes urban public space by outlining four categories of urban space based on
ownership and accessibility.
Leisure time, leisure activities and leisure spaces largely surround matters of consumption. Howe... more Leisure time, leisure activities and leisure spaces largely surround matters of consumption. However, the role consumption plays in the reproduction and performance of community is a necessarily contested topic among leisure scholars. Using in-depth interviews, the purpose of this research was to examine an urban farmers' market as an everyday place of consumption, and its role in building a sense of community. Results suggest that there are new ways of understanding leisure and community as they relate to consumption. Rather than considering consumption practices as simple exchange with little or no emotional sentiment attached, this research suggests consumption practices have the potential to develop and create community as well as incorporate consumer values, ideals, ethics and sentiments.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: Many urban centers across North America represent landscapes of neglect and na... more EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: Many urban centers across North America represent landscapes of neglect and narratives of tragedy. The effects of suburbanization and sprawl have led to the decay and abandonment of existing, older inner cities and have contributed to the demise of many city centers. The process of urban revitalization recognizes that multiple strategies can be employed to reverse the effects of urban decay and create downtown areas that are more appealing to current and prospective residents. The purpose of this study was to examine everyday forms of urban leisure and their relationship with place-making and urban revitalization initiatives. This examination of recreation and leisure in an urban context acknowledges that successful and vibrant downtown areas are major sites of everyday leisure. Here we argue that parks, green spaces, and recreation facilities play an important role in successful urban revitalization strategies. This study was conducted in Kitchener, Ontario, a fast growing midsized Canadian city. Using a photo-elicitation technique, 21 participants were asked to photograph meaningful landscapes in the downtown area. Findings indicate that everyday social interactions are supported by recreation and leisure spaces and opportunities and are central to place-making and successful urban revitalization strategies in downtown areas. The participants in this study suggested that incorporating vibrant and animated places and highlighting local character in a downtown context served to create landscapes consistent emphasis on the economic value of leisure and recreation spaces has led to the widespread growth of impressive, yet often depersonalized, sporting complexes, resorts, shopping and entertainment centers, convention facilities, and amusement parks in urban centers in many urban areas. Instead, efforts aimed at place-making and reversing the effects of urban decay should incorporate the perspective of residents and provide places conducive to social interactions that are unique and important for everyday leisure.
The use of visual imagery and photography in the research process is a valuable addition to tradi... more The use of visual imagery and photography in the research process is a valuable addition to traditional research methods. Visual research methods have been successfully used to engage diverse groups and communities and empower participants in the research process. While many advantages of the use and applicability of visual methods have been described in the leisure literature, certain disadvantages do exist. This study explores potential challenges related to the use of visual research methods. The purpose of this study is to caution leisure researchers to consider underlying challenges related to visual methods that may be specific to individual research projects and contexts. In so doing, I discuss specific challenges related to collecting and analyzing data gathered using the photo-elicitation method in conjunction with in-depth interviews in an ethnography of an urban farmers’ market.
Park availability and land use diversity (LUD) are independent environmental correlates of physic... more Park availability and land use diversity (LUD) are independent environmental correlates of physical activity (PA). This paper investigated whether parks were more likely to be used for PA if surrounded by greater LUD, as well as the interaction of LUD with the number of facilities in the park for predicting use of the park for PA. Facilities in 32 parks from 4 neighborhoods were audited and LUD around each park was calculated based on the residential, commercial, and institutional hectares within a 500 m polygon buffer. Physical activity log data from 384 adults in the 4 neighborhoods were used to determine which parks were used (18) or not used for PA during the study week. Parks were categorized into four groups (e.g., high LUD/high facilities) using the medians for LUD and number of facilities. Unexpectedly, greater LUD within a park's buffer was related to a lesser likelihood of the park being used for PA. Parks with low LUD and a higher number of facilities were most likely to be used for PA. Some elements contributing to higher LUD around parks may deter PA therein (e.g., commercial areas with busy streets), but greater surrounding LUD may be related to PA in parks among younger or older populations or to other non-active park behaviors.
For many people, the city is a landscape of everyday life. In cities, public spaces serve as venu... more For many people, the city is a landscape of everyday life. In cities, public spaces serve as venues for social interaction, sociability, conviviality, and the enactment of community. Despite their relevance to community life, however, urban spaces remain underexamined in the leisure literature. If researchers seek to understand leisure in the context of everyday experiences, they must also consider the spatial perspective in which leisure activities are pursued. In this research reflection, we argue that urban public spaces and some private spaces are fundamentally leisure settings that warrant greater research attention. We propose to broaden the conceptual understanding of what constitutes urban public space by outlining four categories of urban space based on
ownership and accessibility.
Leisure time, leisure activities and leisure spaces largely surround matters of consumption. Howe... more Leisure time, leisure activities and leisure spaces largely surround matters of consumption. However, the role consumption plays in the reproduction and performance of community is a necessarily contested topic among leisure scholars. Using in-depth interviews, the purpose of this research was to examine an urban farmers' market as an everyday place of consumption, and its role in building a sense of community. Results suggest that there are new ways of understanding leisure and community as they relate to consumption. Rather than considering consumption practices as simple exchange with little or no emotional sentiment attached, this research suggests consumption practices have the potential to develop and create community as well as incorporate consumer values, ideals, ethics and sentiments.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: Many urban centers across North America represent landscapes of neglect and na... more EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: Many urban centers across North America represent landscapes of neglect and narratives of tragedy. The effects of suburbanization and sprawl have led to the decay and abandonment of existing, older inner cities and have contributed to the demise of many city centers. The process of urban revitalization recognizes that multiple strategies can be employed to reverse the effects of urban decay and create downtown areas that are more appealing to current and prospective residents. The purpose of this study was to examine everyday forms of urban leisure and their relationship with place-making and urban revitalization initiatives. This examination of recreation and leisure in an urban context acknowledges that successful and vibrant downtown areas are major sites of everyday leisure. Here we argue that parks, green spaces, and recreation facilities play an important role in successful urban revitalization strategies. This study was conducted in Kitchener, Ontario, a fast growing midsized Canadian city. Using a photo-elicitation technique, 21 participants were asked to photograph meaningful landscapes in the downtown area. Findings indicate that everyday social interactions are supported by recreation and leisure spaces and opportunities and are central to place-making and successful urban revitalization strategies in downtown areas. The participants in this study suggested that incorporating vibrant and animated places and highlighting local character in a downtown context served to create landscapes consistent emphasis on the economic value of leisure and recreation spaces has led to the widespread growth of impressive, yet often depersonalized, sporting complexes, resorts, shopping and entertainment centers, convention facilities, and amusement parks in urban centers in many urban areas. Instead, efforts aimed at place-making and reversing the effects of urban decay should incorporate the perspective of residents and provide places conducive to social interactions that are unique and important for everyday leisure.
The use of visual imagery and photography in the research process is a valuable addition to tradi... more The use of visual imagery and photography in the research process is a valuable addition to traditional research methods. Visual research methods have been successfully used to engage diverse groups and communities and empower participants in the research process. While many advantages of the use and applicability of visual methods have been described in the leisure literature, certain disadvantages do exist. This study explores potential challenges related to the use of visual research methods. The purpose of this study is to caution leisure researchers to consider underlying challenges related to visual methods that may be specific to individual research projects and contexts. In so doing, I discuss specific challenges related to collecting and analyzing data gathered using the photo-elicitation method in conjunction with in-depth interviews in an ethnography of an urban farmers’ market.