Editorial Leisure Landscapes

Dear readers,

A stroll through the park, swimming in the local pond, or running through the playground, all are methods of recreation. Fortunately, the various recreational possibilities cannot be counted on one hand and have the power to fill any free schedule. Recreation offers the opportunity to break free from the daily habits and to fully immerse oneself in all the beauty the world had to offer. A specific way to recreate that will interest us -as designers of the public space- the most, is so-called green-blue recreation. Things as hiking, cycling, swimming and water recreation fall within this category.

Leisure activities can be applied on many different scales and can therefore also be imposed to a greater or lesser extent on the inhabitants of an area. The implementation of outdoor recreation makes an area more liveable, has a positive influence on the experiential value and it is also indispensable for the image and the economy. In short, there are often positive sides to recreation. However, it can also have its downside: overtourism, noise pollution and water and air pollution are some of the disadvantages of recreation that are often discussed. The implementation of leisure activities must therefore also be carefully considered so that these negative aspects can be limited as much as possible.

After all, recreation certainly does not have to be a burden to nature. In most forms of green-blue recreation, the connection with nature is sought. Walking and cycling networks may not always contribute to a direct return to nature, but they help enormously in closing the gap between urbanized people and the surrounding landscape. For me, the path along the Grift on the border between Utrecht and Gelderland is such an example. The main function of the cycling and walking path is recreation. The logistical advantages that the path brings are negligible and the same applies to the natural values. And yet, partly because of that path, I have come to appreciate the Binnenveld that it crosses enormously. I can hardly imagine a run without seeing the sun sink behind the meadows of this area.

Recreation can serve many purposes but is inherently always linked to humans. It does bring with it an enormous opportunity: the power to bind that same person to their living environment and to really be able to see the beauty of the landscape.

Best regards,

Tobias Arends

On behalf of the editorial of TOPOS