**4. Analysis**

*Sustainability in Urban Planning and Design*

intercept surveys and exit surveys.

age group categories.

**3.2 Surveys and interview**

**3.1 System for observing play and recreation in communities (SOPARC)**

A proven reliable and valid direct observation tool employed to assess park usage and conditions is the System for Observing Play and Recreation in Communities (SOPARC) developed by McKenzie et al. [4] in the USA. Though somewhat labor intensive, it is an observational tool that is less intrusive than other data collection strategies and may also be used as a monitoring tool for evaluating changes in park usage patterns and park conditions. Whiting et al. [5] examined the tool as an efficient and effective tool for monitoring park visitation by comparing it with

UTECH and UWI collaborated on a pilot study to obtain baseline data on current usage patterns and conditions of the Papine Park and assess the reliability and utility of SOPARC as an assessment tool in small-island developing country context. The SOPARC method, approved by the UTech Ja Research Ethics Committee was employed in the study. It used momentary time sampling techniques that were both systematic and periodic to gain objective observational data on contextual and individual physical activity. The original SOPARC coding forms used by McKenzie et al. [4] were slightly modified by removing the racial categories and adjusting the

In addition to SOPAC method, face to face interviews were conducted among park users to determine their views and perceptions of the park and to solicit their input on features to be incorporated in the redesign of the park. Although surveys were also administered, it is important to note that the survey was done at a time when both universities and other educational institutions in the area were on summer break, which resulted in limited student participation. Two hundred surveys were administered to persons in the Papine Park over a 3 week period during the months of July and August 2015. The survey included questions on safety in the park, esthetics, accessibility and mobility in and around the park. The researchers collected additional data by way of focus groups interviews with members of citizens associations, business owners along the park, police personnel and other key stakeholders associated with the park. The researchers interviewed key personnel from state agencies who are likely to play a role in the redesign and re-construction of the park. Representatives from the public transportation agency, the agency with responsibility for solid waste management and infrastructure development. These interviews elicit information from the representatives relative to their agencies work plan for the park and their willingness to execute the ideas emanating from the participatory process. The results of these findings were used to inform the redesign

The limitations noted were few. Firstly, data were collected during only 1 week of summer when schools and universities in close proximity to the park were closed. Secondly, the predetermined observation periods may not have captured periods of increased use outside of those timeframes. Thirdly, inter-observer agreement (IOA) scores were not formally calculated during training and may have affected reliability assessment of gender-specific age and activity levels. Despite the limitations, this study has revealed that SOPARC is a reliable assessment tool and effective for providing baseline estimates on the user characteristics of the Papine Park. Reliability for sex-specific age groups and activity levels may be improved by

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of the park.

**3.3 Limitations**

#### **4.1 SOPARC analysis and results**

The SOPARC analysis shows that the target areas used most frequently were those nearest to public transportation, where sitting was possible and areas that offered shade. There were limited green spaces in terms of number and size. A number of vendors were observed mainly in the target areas along the western half of the park where there was easy access to parked public transport. However, given that the scan was momentary, it was pre-determined that vending would be coded according to PAL observed rather than type of vending activity. Almost all of the target areas within the park were accessible and usable. Nonetheless, a few areas were empty for each observation period, with the exception of the evening period where all target areas were used by persons (**Figure 3**).

Significantly, more men than women were observed using the park and the vast majority of users were adults (18–64 years old, 83%). Of all users, approximately 54% were observed engaged in sedentary activity viz. sitting, standing or lying down, 39.7% were walking and only 6.2% were engaged in vigorousintensity PAL.

Differences were noted in park use according to time of day. There was an increasing trend in use throughout the day, from a low of 15% of persons observed in the morning period to a high of 38% in the evenings. Regarding PAL among men, almost 60% were observed to be sedentary compared with the other PALs. For all females, the proportion observed to be sedentary versus walking was almost equally split (47% vs. 46%). When the PAL of each sex was examined by period of the day,

**Figure 3.** *Photograph showing the northeastern view of the entrance to Papine Park, August 2015 (Source: Author).*

vigorous-intensity activity levels were significantly highest for both sexes in the evening period (**Figure 4**).

When usage patterns by day of the week were examined, Friday had the highest proportion of use by all users (21%) with Sunday having the least proportion (12%). This difference in proportion over days of the week, was not statistically significant (p = 0.674). When usage patterns among females of different age groups were examined, only a minority of seniors (persons ≥ 65 years old) used the park on any day of the week when compared to females in the lower age group categories (p < .001). Among men, the 18–64 year old group visited the park at significantly higher levels than the other age groups irrespective of the observation day (p < .001). User counts within age groups for males revealed a statistically significant difference according to the day of the week for adults (p < 0.001) and seniors (p = 0.002) but this difference was not statistical significant for males <18 years. For most days, both sexes were engaged in significantly more sedentary activities compared to walking and vigorous-intensity PAL (p < .001). The exceptions were Saturday and Sunday. However, it was only on Saturday that the difference was significantly higher among females; the highest proportion of women observed walking was 59% compared to 37% sedentary and 5% doing vigorous physical activity (p < .001) (**Figure 5**).

The most common activities for each sex in areas scanned where at least one person was observed were walking (F: 57.3%, M: 47.6%), sitting (F: 31.6%, M: 37.8%) and standing (F: 9.0%, M: 10.8%) (**Figure 6**).

Following on studies conducted by McKenzie and Cohen, the reliability of user count data was assessed by calculating single and average measures intra-class correlations for the variables sex, age and PAL. Data from a total of 261 simultaneous measures were used in the reliability analysis. Inter-observer agreement (IOA) scores for contextual variables were perfect for area accessibility, degree of lighting and presence of organized activity and above 99% for presence of supervision, provision of equipment and usability. All coefficients met acceptable criteria for reliability assessment ranging from r = 0.87 to 1.0.

In general, almost all areas of the park were accessible and usable during the observation periods. The target areas used most frequently were those nearest to public transportation, where sitting was possible on concrete seats and ledges and

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done using SOPARC.

*Photo of Papine Park (source: Author).*

**Figure 6.**

**Figure 5.**

be more sedentary in squares (mean area ≤ 6217 m2

**4.2 Interviews and surveys analysis**

presence of trails has been associated with higher PALs.

*Jamaican Universities Aiding the Design of an Urban Public Space*

*Photos of Papine Park and surrounding area on a Saturday (source: Author).*

near to shaded areas. The observations also revealed significant differences in the use of the park: there was greater use by men versus women and by more adults than seniors or children/teenagers. There was also significantly higher use in the evenings and on Fridays by both sexes. Our results were similar to other studies

For most days of the week both sexes were observed to be engaged in sedentary activity in the park, even though activity tended to be more vigorous in the evenings. The possible reason for this is that the Papine Park is more of a square, i.e. a small park/plaza. Hino et al. [6] found that regardless of gender, persons tend to

the possible explanation being that there are fewer walking and running trails. The

Of the 115 participants interviewed, 41% (47) were males and 57% (66) females. While more males were observed in the SOPARC method, using the park, it was

) than the larger parks, with

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.89448*

**Figure 4.** *Photo of typical evening activities in Papine Square (source: Author).*

*Jamaican Universities Aiding the Design of an Urban Public Space DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.89448*

**Figure 5.**

*Sustainability in Urban Planning and Design*

evening period (**Figure 4**).

activity (p < .001) (**Figure 5**).

standing (F: 9.0%, M: 10.8%) (**Figure 6**).

reliability assessment ranging from r = 0.87 to 1.0.

*Photo of typical evening activities in Papine Square (source: Author).*

vigorous-intensity activity levels were significantly highest for both sexes in the

(p < .001). Among men, the 18–64 year old group visited the park at significantly higher levels than the other age groups irrespective of the observation day (p < .001). User counts within age groups for males revealed a statistically significant difference according to the day of the week for adults (p < 0.001) and seniors (p = 0.002) but this difference was not statistical significant for males <18 years. For most days, both sexes were engaged in significantly more sedentary activities compared to walking and vigorous-intensity PAL (p < .001). The exceptions were Saturday and Sunday. However, it was only on Saturday that the difference was significantly higher among females; the highest proportion of women observed walking was 59% compared to 37% sedentary and 5% doing vigorous physical

When usage patterns by day of the week were examined, Friday had the highest proportion of use by all users (21%) with Sunday having the least proportion (12%). This difference in proportion over days of the week, was not statistically significant (p = 0.674). When usage patterns among females of different age groups were examined, only a minority of seniors (persons ≥ 65 years old) used the park on any day of the week when compared to females in the lower age group categories

The most common activities for each sex in areas scanned where at least one person was observed were walking (F: 57.3%, M: 47.6%), sitting (F: 31.6%, M: 37.8%) and

Following on studies conducted by McKenzie and Cohen, the reliability of user

In general, almost all areas of the park were accessible and usable during the observation periods. The target areas used most frequently were those nearest to public transportation, where sitting was possible on concrete seats and ledges and

count data was assessed by calculating single and average measures intra-class correlations for the variables sex, age and PAL. Data from a total of 261 simultaneous measures were used in the reliability analysis. Inter-observer agreement (IOA) scores for contextual variables were perfect for area accessibility, degree of lighting and presence of organized activity and above 99% for presence of supervision, provision of equipment and usability. All coefficients met acceptable criteria for

**356**

**Figure 4.**

*Photos of Papine Park and surrounding area on a Saturday (source: Author).*

#### **Figure 6.**

*Photo of Papine Park (source: Author).*

near to shaded areas. The observations also revealed significant differences in the use of the park: there was greater use by men versus women and by more adults than seniors or children/teenagers. There was also significantly higher use in the evenings and on Fridays by both sexes. Our results were similar to other studies done using SOPARC.

For most days of the week both sexes were observed to be engaged in sedentary activity in the park, even though activity tended to be more vigorous in the evenings. The possible reason for this is that the Papine Park is more of a square, i.e. a small park/plaza. Hino et al. [6] found that regardless of gender, persons tend to be more sedentary in squares (mean area ≤ 6217 m2 ) than the larger parks, with the possible explanation being that there are fewer walking and running trails. The presence of trails has been associated with higher PALs.

#### **4.2 Interviews and surveys analysis**

Of the 115 participants interviewed, 41% (47) were males and 57% (66) females. While more males were observed in the SOPARC method, using the park, it was

assumed that more women were represented in the survey because of the likelihood of women to respond to surveys. Majority of those interviewed were between the ages of 20–34. A total of 65 persons fit within this age group. Few senior or persons between the ages of 65–80 were interviewed. Five persons interviewed reported that they were between 65 and 80 years old. Similarly, 17 respondents reported that they were 19 years old or less. This group is identified as the school age population in Jamaica. It is likely that they were represented in small numbers because the survey was conducted in August while most schools were on summer recess.

As it relates to employment status, 71 respondents reported that they were employed, 27 indicated that they were students, 7 were unemployed and 4 retired. One person stated that they are unemployed because of their disability. Two persons did not respond. Based on how the question was posed, it was not clear how many of those employed were "self-employed." While a significant number of the people interviewed reported that they were employed, it is likely that they were in the vicinity of the park as they transitioned between work and home.

The respondents were asked how often they used the park. Thirty-two respondents (28%) indicated that they used the park every day. Forty-three respondents (37%) stated that they use the park anywhere from two to five times per day. Thirty-eight respondents indicated that they seldom used the park or use it once in a while. The question on frequency of use did not specify or define the type of use; hence, it is likely that those who walk through to access public transportation or retail stores on either side of the park might not describe this as "using." The study did not highlight any significant difference in the frequency of use based on gender.
