Investigation of visitors’ motivation, satisfaction and cognition on urban forest parks in Taiwan

Abstract

This study conducts a survey on the urban forest parks in Taiwan to assess the benefits and affecting factors. The results show that the larger the area of the park, the higher the degree of satisfaction with the landscape and the status of the plants, and the higher the density of trees, the lower the degree of satisfaction with the scenic view. The shading effect is positively correlated with the diameter of plants at breast height, canopy cover area, and proportion of green coverage. However, higher green coverage is associated with lower satisfaction regarding the scenic view and the uniqueness of the landscape. Most visitors are less satisfied with the area of plants and landscape attractiveness. The study results can be used to evaluate the impacts of setting up urban forest parks. The outcomes also provide guidance for the relevant authorities for sustainable management and future policy making.

Appendix: Questionnaire

Part I: Understanding of urban forest parks

• 1. Do you realize the idea of an urban forest park?

  □ Yes □ No

• 2. Do you know this park is one of the urban forest parks in Taiwan?

  □ Yes □ No

• 3. Taiwan government built urban forest parks since 1995 in order to improve air quality, to enhance living environment, and to support sustainable development. For each item, rate on a 5-point Likert scale, ranging from 1 from “strongly disagree” to 5 for “strongly agree.”

Feature of the urban forest park		Strongly disagree	Disagree	Neural	Agree	Strongly agree
		1	2	3	4	5
1.	Absorption of carbon dioxide and release of oxygen	□	□	□	□	□
2.	Interception of suspended dust particles and modification of air temperature and humidity	□	□	□	□	□
3.	Purification of air quality and enhancement of people’s health and well-being	□	□	□	□	□
4.	Reduction of waste, noise, water, and other anthropogenic environmental pollution	□	□	□	□	□
5.	Greening of open space and elimination of garbage	□	□	□	□	□
6.	Provision of noise barrier effect by planted vegetation	□	□	□	□	□
7.	Provision of water purification by aquatic vegetation	□	□	□	□	□
8.	Provision of venues for ecological modeling and education	□	□	□	□	□
9.	Enhancement of public environmental and ecological protection awareness by associated educational facilities	□	□	□	□	□
10.	Provision of venues for environmental, ecological, and biodiversity protection	□	□	□	□	□
11.	Provision of environmental aesthetics and delightful places	□	□	□	□	□

Part II: Visit habits

• 1. How often do you visit this park per month?

  □ First time □ 1–4 times □ 5–10 times □ 11–12 times □ 20 times and above

• 2. How often do you visit this park per week?

  □ First time □ Once □ Twice □ 3–6 times □ Everyday

• 3. Generally, you visit this park on

  □ Weekdays □ Weekend □ Both

• 4. Generally, you visit this park in which time slot?

  □ Morning (before 9 a.m.) □ 9 a.m.–12 p.m. □ 12–5 p.m. □ After 5 p.m. □ No regular time slots

• 5. Your transportation to this park?

  □ Walking □ Bicycle □ Motorcycle □ Car □ Public transportation □ Other_______

• 6. How many people coming with you, including yourself? __________

  Your company (choose any items applied)

  □ Families □ Friends □ Neighbors □ Others

• 7. The average stay (hours)

  □ Below 1 □ 1–2 □ 2–4 □ 4–6 □ 6–8 □ Above 8

• 8. The purpose of this visit (choose any items applied)

  □ Sport □ Companion with families/friends □ Field study □ Kill time □ Sightseeing □ Take a walk □ Others

Part III: Degree of importance and satisfaction

Please check the following items regarding this urban forest park and choose how important/satisfied you feel on a five-point scale.

		Degree of importance					Degree of satisfaction
		5	4	3	2	1	5		4	3	2	1
1.	Enough green area in the park	□	□	□	□	□	□	□		□	□	□
2.	Species diversity of plants	□	□	□	□	□	□	□		□	□	□
3.	Quantity of plants	□	□	□	□	□	□	□		□	□	□
4.	Overall height of trees	□	□	□	□	□	□	□		□	□	□
5.	Shading effect of plants in the park	□	□	□	□	□	□	□		□	□	□
6.	Variability in tree shape	□	□	□	□	□	□	□		□	□	□
7.	Naturalness of plants	□	□	□	□	□	□	□		□	□	□
8.	Growth status of trees and plants	□	□	□	□	□	□	□		□	□	□
9.	Flowering status of trees and other plants	□	□	□	□	□	□	□		□	□	□
10.	Manmade facilities in harmony with the natural environment	□	□	□	□	□	□	□		□	□	□
11.	Attractiveness of landscape	□	□	□	□	□	□	□		□	□	□
12.	Landscape aesthetics of the park	□	□	□	□	□	□	□		□	□	□
13.	Comfort and pleasantness of the park	□	□	□	□	□	□	□		□	□	□
14.	View in the park	□	□	□	□	□	□	□		□	□	□
15.	Uniqueness of the visual quality	□	□	□	□	□	□	□		□	□	□
16.	Consistency of the visual quality	□	□	□	□	□	□	□		□	□	□
17.	Complexity of the visual quality	□	□	□	□	□	□	□		□	□	□

Part IV: Personal information

• 1. Gender: □ Male □ Female

• 2. Age: □ Below 20 □ 20–24 □ 25–29 □ 30–39 □ 40–49 □ 50–59 □ 60–64 □ Above 65

• 3. Status: □ Single □ Married

• 4. Occupation: □ Student □ Government employee □ Industrial □ Agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry and fisheries □ Business □ Service □ Housing □ Self-employment □ Others_______

• 5. Education: □ Junior high school □ Senior high school □ College □ Graduate school

• 6. Average monthly income (NT$): □ No income □ Below 10 k □ 10–30 k □ 30–50 k □ 50–70 k □ 70–100 k □ 100 k

• 7. Your overall degree of satisfaction with the urban forest park?

  □ Very unsatisfied □ Unsatisfied □ Neural □ Satisfied □ Very satisfied

• 8. Your current residency: □ Local □ Nearby cities □ Other cities