Countries around the world instituted “lockdown” measures as a way to curtail the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. Such measures brought about significant changes to human mobility patterns, including recreational activities. Lockdowns in a few countries – including Norway – were less severe than some other countries, in that they allowed citizens to spend time outdoors as long as they adhered to social distancing advisories. “This unique aspect of the Norwegian lockdowns raises the question of whether urban green space . . . played a significant role in the way citizens adapted to the pandemic containment measures, perhaps spending more time recreating in green spaces.” This study explored that possibility.
Mobile tracking data from thousands of recreationists in Olso, Norway were used to analyze high resolution spatio-temporal changes in outdoor activity during the same dates over a four-year period (2017-2020). Researchers then compared the 2017-2019 (pre-COVID) data to the 2020 (lockdown) data. They found that outdoor recreational activity within the municipality increased approximately 291% (approximately 86,000 extra activities per day) during lockdown relative to a 3-yr average for the same days during pervious years. “This increase was significantly greater than expected after adjusting for the prevailing weather and time of year.” Further analysis showed that the intensity of walking, running, hiking, and cycling activity was greater on trails with higher greenviews and tree canopy cover than in other places. Trail remoteness, however, influenced the intensity of activity, with the largest increase occurring on more remote trails. Other increases in pedestrian (walking, running, hiking) activity occurred in city parks, peri-urban forest, and protected areas. Overall, there was a greater increase in cycling than in the pedestrian activity categories.
The changes in recreational activity during lockdown were not the same throughout the city. Activities were intensified in the urban periphery, while there were only marginal increases -- and, in some areas, decreases -- toward the more densely built city center. This is not surprising, as peri-urban areas (versus the city center) offer easy access to walkways, bikeways, forest roads, and trails, thus providing much more space to adhere to social distancing guidelines.
These findings highlight the value of urban nature during a time of crisis. They also highlight some concerns regarding equitable access to urban nature. These findings have important implications for urban planning.
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