Classification as analytical tool for recreation planning

This contribution demonstrates how classification procedures, based on the identification of needs, can enhance the effectivity of recreation planning. The use of classification procedures in recreation planning is briefly examined and an overview of several classifica­tion procedures is given. From this discussion, certain deductions are made about the nature and use of classification as an analytical tool, and reasons are given for the necessity of an approach that uses the identifica­tion of needs as a guiding principle for classification procedures. The taxono­my of Bradshaw (1972) was used as the basis for determining the recre­ation needs of specific communities. This taxonomy accommodates a variety of variables such as the opinions of respondents, authorities and experts and had been modified by adopting appropriate definitions of needs. Five categories of needs were used. The paper illustrates by means of an example how recreational facilities can be classified on the basis of the determi­nation of heeds and that this methodo­logy can form the basis for planning which seeks to satisfy recreation needs. Planning can then proceed more effectively, since it can be done in conjunction with a classification based on the community’s specific needs, and recreation provision can be made in a more successful and more cost-effective way

Ontspanning in stedelike swart woongebiede: Beplanningsriglyne in 'n krisisituasie

Urbanized areas in South Africa are increasingly fraught with the severe problem of a lack of open space. Against this background the recreation crisis in urban black townships is discussed. Intense demand for space in the growing urban areas holds the danger of utilizing all available space for housing at the expense of the development of recreation facilities which, in black urban areas, is continually being neglected. Findings of a research project in the PWV area (1986-1989) indicated that poor plan­ning and undefined long term objec­tives have, to a large extent, caused the present crisis in providing for recrea­tion. Very often the authorities con­cerned have had to resort to reactive crisis management as the only option. Yet urbanization is not a sudden occurrence and long term planning to provide simultaneously for recreation and housing, is the ideal. Several guidelines for planning, based on research findings, are suggested to address problems in existing townships and to prevent newly developed towns from experiencing similar crises.*This article is written in Afrikaans.&nbsp

Planning for leisure in South Africa: Meeting new challenges

This contribution proposes a set of guidelines which can be constructed and applied as a framework within which planning policies and strategies can be set. These guidelines are based on information selected from the main components of the leisure industry that are relevant for planning, and are determined by approaching issues from the perspectives of an urban and re­gional planner. From the discussion it is apparent that the establishing of an adequate and appropriate infrastructure in South Africa’s deprived areas is a major factor in leisure planning. Participa­tion patterns and preferences are changing continuously, with new activities becoming popular and a broader spectrum of activities being recognized and practised as leisure. Differences in participation patterns seem to correspond mainly with differ­ences in socio-economic standing. Leisure in general and tourism in particular are influenced by the grow­ing importance attached to the natural environment. Global and South African leisure trends are weighed against the factors influencing leisure planning in South Africa. From this ten challenges evolve with which an urban and regional planner in South Africa will have to cope when planning for any leisure-related project. An international per­spective is acquired from the literature with regard to various approaches to these problems, theoretical and practi­cal. These are then applied to the situation in South Africa and used as a basis for a framework for leisure planning

Recreational pursuits of wheelchair users: Overcoming time-space limitations

Wheelchair users are individuals with unique and specific needs in terms of recreation. In general, people overcome obstacles by making choices, thus establishing a certain pattern of activi­ties. For wheelchair users this is not so easy: they cannot always overcome time-space limitations imposed upon them by a hos­tile environment which prevents them from making appropriate choices