Parkkaraktärer : ett verktyg för planering och gestaltning av grönområden

Sammanfattning: An increasing number of peole are resisting the attraction of living around nature and opting instead to spend their lives in cities. Parks and green areas play an important part in our well-being and we become fascinated with the diversity of nature, in which we find a peacefulness that is unique. Amongst other things, being surrounded by nature can reduce high blood presure, lower the production of stress hormones and stimulate the mind and our ability to concentrate. It is therefore vitally important to entice city residents to parks and green areas to improve their physical and mental well-being. Previous research has shown that humans are seeking for certain characteristics in the parks and green areas which they are visiting. Gunnar Sorte together with Patrik Grahn,and later Ann-Margreth Berggren-Bärring togehter with Patrik Grahn, have conducted studies about these characteristics. Their studies included 1460 persons and were based on questionnaires, interviews and diary notes. The main aim of this thesis is to further develop these park characteristics by analysing the parks that according to Berggren-Bärring and Grahn are rich in certain characteristics. Through this analysis and consideration of the relevant literature I have been able to identify and define the experience of each charateteristic. Initially, eight characteristics were defined, but according to my study there are only seven: 1. Rich in species 2. The common 3. Festive ornamental character 4. Space 5. The pleasure garden 6. Social history 7. Wild As a result of this study, an interactive tool designed for use by landscape architects and physical planners was developed. The tool operated by the user answering different statements that will ultimately lead to the right park characteristic.