Recreation and Therapy in Urban Forests—The Potential Use of Sensory Garden Solutions
Urban forests are not only woodlands or groups of trees, but also individual trees, street trees, trees in parks, trees in derelict corners, and gardens. All of which are located in urban and peri-urban areas and diversify the landscape and provide a wide range of social benefits. Sensory gardens pl...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2021-10-01
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| Series: | Forests |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4907/12/10/1402 |
| _version_ | 1797514488441733120 |
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| author | Sandra Wajchman-Świtalska Alina Zajadacz Anna Lubarska |
| author_facet | Sandra Wajchman-Świtalska Alina Zajadacz Anna Lubarska |
| author_sort | Sandra Wajchman-Świtalska |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Urban forests are not only woodlands or groups of trees, but also individual trees, street trees, trees in parks, trees in derelict corners, and gardens. All of which are located in urban and peri-urban areas and diversify the landscape and provide a wide range of social benefits. Sensory gardens play a specific therapeutic and preventive role. Designing such gardens as a recreational infrastructure element can successfully enrich urban forests. Following the principles of universal design may provide enjoyment for all city-dwellers, with special attention given to the needs of individuals with disabilities. We studied 15 gardens and one sensory path located in various regions in Poland. The inventory was carried out on the basis of the features considered important in spatial orientation by blind and partially sighted people. The results showed that the solutions used were only partly adequate for the needs of selected users. We found neither tactile walking surface indicators (e.g., communication lines and terrain), spatial models, nor applications in mobile devices. However, these could be useful for all visitors. We confirmed that although problems with the use of forest tourist space are dependent on the type of disability, by implementing the idea of universal design for all elements of recreational infrastructure, forests may be accessible for all users. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T06:32:20Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-01130799b6c542339e7eebbc9d28dbf5 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1999-4907 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T06:32:20Z |
| publishDate | 2021-10-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Forests |
| spelling | doaj.art-01130799b6c542339e7eebbc9d28dbf52023-11-22T18:19:07ZengMDPI AGForests1999-49072021-10-011210140210.3390/f12101402Recreation and Therapy in Urban Forests—The Potential Use of Sensory Garden SolutionsSandra Wajchman-Świtalska0Alina Zajadacz1Anna Lubarska2Department of Forestry Management, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology, University of Life Sciences in Poznań, Wojska Polskiego St. 71C, 60-625 Poznan, PolandFaculty of Geographical and Geological Sciences, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznan, Boguslawa Krygowskiego St. 10, 61-680 Poznan, PolandFaculty of Geographical and Geological Sciences, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznan, Boguslawa Krygowskiego St. 10, 61-680 Poznan, PolandUrban forests are not only woodlands or groups of trees, but also individual trees, street trees, trees in parks, trees in derelict corners, and gardens. All of which are located in urban and peri-urban areas and diversify the landscape and provide a wide range of social benefits. Sensory gardens play a specific therapeutic and preventive role. Designing such gardens as a recreational infrastructure element can successfully enrich urban forests. Following the principles of universal design may provide enjoyment for all city-dwellers, with special attention given to the needs of individuals with disabilities. We studied 15 gardens and one sensory path located in various regions in Poland. The inventory was carried out on the basis of the features considered important in spatial orientation by blind and partially sighted people. The results showed that the solutions used were only partly adequate for the needs of selected users. We found neither tactile walking surface indicators (e.g., communication lines and terrain), spatial models, nor applications in mobile devices. However, these could be useful for all visitors. We confirmed that although problems with the use of forest tourist space are dependent on the type of disability, by implementing the idea of universal design for all elements of recreational infrastructure, forests may be accessible for all users.https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4907/12/10/1402urban forestsforest therapyurban environmentsensory gardenswellbeingsocial inclusion |
| spellingShingle | Sandra Wajchman-Świtalska Alina Zajadacz Anna Lubarska Recreation and Therapy in Urban Forests—The Potential Use of Sensory Garden Solutions Forests urban forests forest therapy urban environment sensory gardens wellbeing social inclusion |
| title | Recreation and Therapy in Urban Forests—The Potential Use of Sensory Garden Solutions |
| title_full | Recreation and Therapy in Urban Forests—The Potential Use of Sensory Garden Solutions |
| title_fullStr | Recreation and Therapy in Urban Forests—The Potential Use of Sensory Garden Solutions |
| title_full_unstemmed | Recreation and Therapy in Urban Forests—The Potential Use of Sensory Garden Solutions |
| title_short | Recreation and Therapy in Urban Forests—The Potential Use of Sensory Garden Solutions |
| title_sort | recreation and therapy in urban forests the potential use of sensory garden solutions |
| topic | urban forests forest therapy urban environment sensory gardens wellbeing social inclusion |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4907/12/10/1402 |
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