LOUD has published its research findings titled ”Unfenced” parks and residents’ visit patterns: A regression discontinuity design in Shanghai” in UFUG

The Shanghai Key Laboratory of Urban Design and Urban Science (LOUD), in collaboration with Peking University, the University at Buffalo, State University of New York (SUNY), Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology (KAIST), and Tongji University, has published a paper titled ”Unfenced” parks and residents’ visit patterns: A regression discontinuity design in Shanghai”  in the journal Urban Forestry & Urban Greening.

Figure 1: Results of Regression Discontinuity Design (RDD): (a) Park Visitation Patterns, (b) Park Types, (c) Park Activities, (d) Community Green Space Activities

Parks have become indispensable havens in cities, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Although studies have explored the impact of lockdown measures on park visitation, less attention has been paid to the sudden relaxation of these measures, particularly in densely populated cities where parks have been opened up. This study employs a Regression Discontinuity Design (RDD) to analyze changes in park visitation behavior among Shanghai residents (N=563) following the easing of lockdown measures. It focuses on three aspects: visitation behavior, types of parks chosen, and activities in public parks versus community green spaces. The results show that in the short term, there was a decrease in visitation to nearby parks, reduced use of public transportation, and shortened travel times. Additionally, visitation to other types of parks, especially large parks, also declined, while riverside green spaces remained unaffected. However, no significant changes were observed in visit frequency or duration. Within parks and community green spaces, activities such as exercising and enjoying the weather significantly decreased. Furthermore, specific activities in community green spaces, like playing with children and nature appreciation, also notably declined. These findings expand our understanding of urban residents' green space visitation behavior during the post-pandemic transition period and provide valuable recommendations for green space management during public health crises.

Professor Nie from the University at Buffalo, USA, stated: "Green spaces are not only part of the urban ecosystem but also crucial venues for social interaction and health. Especially against the backdrop of the pandemic, green spaces have become vital for residents to relieve stress and maintain health. Changes in travel patterns reflect residents' search for a balance between public health and self-protection. This shift not only affects individuals' health behaviors but also highlights the imbalance in the distribution and accessibility of green spaces in urban planning. How to maintain urban health during crises and how to optimize the planning of green spaces to promote healthy travel patterns are important issues in contemporary urban development."

Professor Kim from the Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology (KAIST) said, "I believe this study makes a significant contribution to understanding how policy changes during public health crises affect the use of urban green spaces. Our findings indicate that Shanghai residents' park visitation patterns changed significantly after the lifting of 'fence' measures. These discoveries are crucial for guiding future urban planning and public health strategies, especially as we adapt to the post-pandemic environment."

Dr.Yichun Zhou, the author of the article, noted that this study explores the short-term impact of the lifting of lockdowns during the pandemic transition period on residents' urban green space visitation behavior, providing an important reference for urban planners. "We employed a quasi-experimental design to enhance causal inference capabilities and comprehensively assessed changes across various park types and a range of activities. I feel deeply honored to have participated in this research under the guidance of professors from Peking University, the University at Buffalo, KAIST, and Tongji University. I look forward to continuing to seek advice from the professors and engaging in deeper collaborations to provide new perspectives and solutions for urban blue and green space planning in Asia and beyond."

Article citation:

Wu, L., Zhou, Y., Nie, X., Kim, S. K., Shao, Y.*, & Guan, C.* (2024). “Unfenced” parks and residents’ visit patterns: A regression discontinuity design in Shanghai. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, 78, 128459. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ufug.2024.128459