ANALYSIS OF RECREATIONAL FUNCTION OF CHOSEN GREEN SPACES IN THE CITY OF ZAGREB – DIFFERENCES IN VISITORS’ HABITS

Abstract

This paper provides insights into the recreational function of green areas and visitors’ habits in the City of Zagreb. The research is based on a conducted survey of 491 visitors, during the working week and weekends at three different green spaces: Zrinjevac (an example of a park in the city centre), Jarun (an example of a recreation and sports zone in the city’s periphery) and the square Trg Ivana Kukuljevića (an example of a neighbourhood park in the residential area Špansko). Apart from descriptive statistics, the results were obtained by the following statistical tools: chi-square test, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and t-test. Based on the differences determined, different types of green spaces in the city were highlighted and their recreational function was closely considered. The research outcomes indicate that there is a correlation between different types of green spaces, their recreational functions and reasons for choosing a particular green space for recreational purposes from the visitors’ point of view. The results can contribute to a better understanding of visitor habits and mobilities geared toward specific types of green spaces in Zagreb on a workday and a non-working day. They can be applied to achieving a higher quality conceptualisation of recreation supply of green spaces, as well as to the process of spatial planning and design of urban recreational zones.