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Existing arrangements and procedures for generating and analyzing information : a comparative evaluation of several greater Vancouver Regional District Park and/or recreation agencies

University of British Columbia

One major task faced by public recreation planners is the determination of the type, quantity and quality of future recreation that will be demanded. A second follow-up job involves the attempt to maximize user satisfaction by providing adequate recreation services and facilities while allowing for limitations in both recreation resources and agency capability. Prerequisite to the successful completion of these two tasks is the presence of a sound research framework that is complemented by relevant information and proper analysis techniques. The major concern of this thesis was to describe, in some detail, the present state of recreational planning in the Greater Vancouver Regional District. In particular, research was directed towards the assessment of existing arrangements and procedures for generating and analyzing-recreation information. Three major objectives were realized: (1) to evaluate the planning methodologies presently used in the assessment of the supply and demand for recreation resources; (2) to assess the suitability and capability of public park and/or recreation agencies to undertake continuous, efficient and relevant recreational planning; and (3) to propose changes in the present arrangements and procedures for recreational planning. The methodology used in this study followed two related and complementary steps. In the initial phase, a 'comprehensive recreation planning model' was developed. It consisted of three sub-models of investigation: demand, supply and demand-supply linkage analyses. The latter step focused on a comparative evaluation of the recreational planning approach and the recreation agency i.e. it's capability and suitability for research, for one regional and twelve municipal park and/or recreation agencies in the Greater Vancouver Regional District, via the 'comprehensive recreation planning model' and the seventy-seven criteria that were used as indicators of quality. Results of the comparative evaluation indicated significant deficiencies in several aspects of the recreational planning approaches currently being used. Major limitations in the research capability of the recreation agencies were linked to inadequate research budgets, and to insufficient data generation and processing ability. Further, the majority of agencies examined showed a need for more information regarding the recreation clientele i.e. their demands, preferences, degrees of preference, leisure time budgets, and their past education and experiences related to public recreation; and, the recreation resources i.e. land, facilities and services by type, nature and quantity.

Text

2010-01-22

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http://hdl.handle.net/2429/18975

Planning

University of British Columbia

Graduate