Assessing activities and needs of Generation Z youth for functional criteria of urban recreational parks

Abstract

Generation Z’s lifestyle and activities are dictated by the use of internet and technology. Generation Z youth (Gen Z) means youths who were born from 1995 to 2001. The use of excessive time for social media and viewing the screen show that they tend to prefer sedentary pursuits than active activities during leisure time. Their participation in sports or physical activities is low. Participation in outdoor activities is important. Designing an appropriate recreational park offers healthy physical and social activities. This research focuses on the leisure time activities of Gen Z youth and their needs of neighbourhood recreational park. It emphasises on the criteria of recreational park for healthy activities that refer to positive physical, leisure and social activities. The needs of Gen Z youth should be taken into consideration to encourage them to use leisure time in the outdoor spaces in a healthy way. Hence, this study aims to determine the criteria of functional space in recreational parks of Kuala Lumpur by identifying the association between leisure time and the needs of Gen Z youth. Kepong Metropolitan Park and Putrajaya Challenge Park were selected as the case study sites after analysing the criteria for site selection. Three objectives are formulated: (i) To investigate the type and places of activities involved by Gen Z youth during leisure time, (ii) To identify the needs of spaces and activities of Gen Z youth in neighbourhood recreational park, and (iii) To propose the criteria of space for the recreational park based on the preferences and needs of the youth. The scope of this study highlights on youths between 15 to 21 years old who live in Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya. The data collection was carried out in 2016. Accordingly, a mixed-method research design was applied through self–administered questionnaire survey (n=564). Inventory of physical attributes and semi-structured interview of 50 participants were conducted in the two case study sites. The data from self-administered survey was analysed using SPSS tool to obtain descriptive statistics. Inventory of the physical attributes and interviews were content analysed. The finding shows that most of the Gen Z youth frequently visit the recreational park that is within their neighbourhood and because of the parks’ characteristics. Unhealthy social activities among park users were found to be the distractions in visiting the recreational parks. They are dissatisfied with outdated facilities and poor maintenance in the parks. In general, Gen Z youth needs additional activities and organisational programmes, up-to-date play facilities, youth’s play spaces and good park maintenance. Providing spaces that meet the needs of Gen Z youth could reduce social problems among them. Overall, the criteria of recreational park desirable for Gen Z are innovative (integration of outdoor play with technology and active recreation), attractive (surrounded by natural setting) and functional (well-functioning facilities). These findings provide a foundation for an improved understanding on the needs of Gen Z youth in the recreational parks which can assist in future planning. Insight gained from this study would be useful for researchers, youth organisations and ministry of youth and sport in managing youth’s programme, as well as practitioners and authorities that are seeking to improve healthy living lifestyle among future youth generation.