Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
18
Countryside recreation management
Guy Robinson
The impacts of recreation and tourism,
memorably termed the 'fourth wave' (Dower
1965:123), have transformed many rural areas in
recent decades, in some cases becoming
predominant within the economy and
contributing significantly to social change. The
demand for rural land to be used for recreational
purposes has added to pressures upon the
countryside to fulfil multiple roles, thereby adding
to the complexity of rural planning and land
management. In their research on countryside
recreation management, geographers have
analysed the outcomes of existing management
plans as well as contributing in both theoretical
and practical form to the ongoing debate
regarding the nature and use of the countryside.
This chapter will outline some of the main
avenues of geographical enquiry into the
management of countryside recreation, with
special reference to formulation of management
plans, issues relating to access, and the relationship
between recreational provision and social change.
2
Informal.
The countryside provides a backdrop
to a range of activities, including recreational
driving, walking and general sightseeing.
Various general characteristics within society in
the latter half of the twentieth century have
produced increased opportunities for both types
of leisure activity, notably greater affluence,
increased personal mobility, and reduced and/or
more flexible working arrangements. The growth
in private ownership of cars and improvements in
transport links between urban and rural areas have
helped to direct a substantial proportion of this
leisure towards the countryside, with urban
residents attracted by the aesthetic qualities of the
setting. This has produced both greater
participation in traditional non-consuming rural
pursuits (e.g. walking, nature study, sightseeing)
and new activities that may utilise a specific rural
resource (e.g. mountain biking, windsurfing)
(Butler 1998). Many of the latter owe their
increased popularity to a combination of greater
affluence, ease of accessibility of rural areas to
urban residents and technological developments
that have been applied to sporting/leisure activity
(Mieczkowski 1990). Some activities have also
been relocated to the countryside to take
advantage of cheaper greenfield sites, the pleasant
surroundings and ease of access from multiple
urban centres, e.g. golf courses, theme parks.
Another factor promoting increased rural
recreation has been growing public concern for the
environment and 'green' issues, promoting activities
such as bird watching and nature study in general.
The growth of rural-based ecotourism is part of
RURAL RECREATION AND TOURISM
Two basic types of recreation are usually
recognised:
1
Formal
This takes place on managed sites and
is often associated with profit-seeking
organisations. Management may involve
provision of special areas, zoning or rationing
demand by entrance charges, a membership
fee or imposing maximum numbers;
