Research Update
Elisa and I are continuing to develop our research project on parks. At the end of spring quarter, we had decided we wanted to look at what purposes parks serve in Amsterdam and how parks satisfy the expectations of people in the city.
New issues to consider:
Environmental damage/protection
- water management and maintenance
- ecological survey of green areas (invasive species, monoculture, pest control)
- do parks promote stewardship?
Illicit uses of the park
- The rules: http://www.dutchamsterdam.nl/278-vondelpark
- 2008 proposal to allow public sex in Vondelpark in an effort to decrease violence against gays
Research methods to focus on in the next few weeks
- Interview public service person
- Interview park management representative
- Interview park business owners
- Visual observation
- Interview park-goers
Elisa and I made our way to Vondelpark yesterday to scope out our main field research site. Here are some initial observations we made on our walk:
- wide paved path for biking and running
- smaller side paths covered by foliage
- grassy areas for picnicking and games
- statues, ponds, fountains
- facilities include an amphitheater, a wading pool, restaurants, and a film museum
- no official facilities for sports (basketball courts, soccer fields…)
We will keep updating as we make progress on our project.
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