The Importance of Park for Health Benefit in DKI Jakarta

Abstract

DKI Jakarta is a province with the highest population density (82.632 people per km2 in 2018). Jakarta can also be said to be the busiest province in Indonesia because it is the centre of the Indonesian economy. High-intensity activities in the middle of the city can cause stress and other health problems. These problems can be overcome by using the park. Park can be useful for solving health problems by providing places for physical activities and other outdoor activities that can help alleviate health problems. This study aims to understand the importance of the park for people health in DKI Jakarta and the relationship with the frequency of park visits. The study area consists of 10 urban parks located in 5 cities in DKI Jakarta. The number of respondents taken was 300 people divided into 30 people in each park. This study found that the proximity of the park to residence cannot be the main reason why they visit the park. Other factors which can affect frequency of park visits was the reason of visits. The visitors who lived far from parks want to visit the park because there were lots of shady trees so they thought it's nice and comfortable to just sit and relax. Moreover, frequency of park visits can be beneficial for visitors' health, especially increasing stamina, being more relaxed, and strengthen relationships with family or friends. Visiting and doing activities in the park at least once a week could provide greater benefits to the physical and social aspects of visitors than the psychological aspects. This meant that psychological benefits could be perceived even though not visiting the park once a week.