Abstract

Many cities have addressed urban population shrinkage by adopting strategies to re-purpose vacant lots in ways that leave them beautified and groomed. This study investigates leisure behavior resulting in beautified and groomed vacant lots that resist dominant discourses – referred to as green leisure. We applied a mixed-methods research design with property owners who purchased vacant lots through the Chicago Large Lot Program. Our focus group findings (n = 25) indicated that participants framed their activities as resistance tied to (a) vacant lot beautification, (b) providing places to socialize, (c) efficacy, and (d) neighborhood transformation. Using survey data (n = 197), results from a path model show that behavioral investment in greening – as measured by a Cues to Care Action Scale – is influenced by social normative beliefs, collective-efficacy, self-efficacy, and perception of gardening as leisure. Our findings lend support to policies that encourage resident-based private ownership of vacant land to revitalize urban neighborhoods.

摘要

许多城市通过采取策略重新利用空置土地，对它们进行美化和修饰，以解决城市人口萎缩的问题。这项研究调查了休闲行为，导致美化和修饰的空地抵制主流话语——被称为绿色休闲。我们对通过芝加哥大宗地块计划购买空地的业主应用了混合方法研究设计。我们的焦点小组调查结果（n = 25）表明，参与者将他们的活动视为与以下方面相关的抵抗：（a）空地美化，（b）提供社交场所，（c）功效和（d）社区改造。使用调查数据（n = 197），路径模型的结果表明，绿化行为投资（通过护理行动线索量表衡量）受到社会规范信念的影响，集体效能、自我效能以及园艺休闲的认知。我们的研究结果为鼓励居民私有空置土地以振兴城市社区的政策提供了支持。