Children's Perceptions of the Use of Public Open Spaces for Active Free-play

Activity performed by children in their free-time may have a significant impact on overall physical activity levels, however, very little is known about the influences on children's active free-play. To examine the role and use of public open spaces, 132 children (6–12 years) from a selection of primary schools participated in small focus group interviews. Children reported that their use of public open spaces was influenced by a combination of intrapersonal, social and environmental factors including; the play equipment and facilities at local parks, lack of independent mobility, urban design features, presence of friends, and personal motivation.     

Markers of activity patterns in some populations of the Iberian Peninsula

A study was undertaken of musculoskeletal stress markers in the human remains of several ancient populations of the Iberian Peninsula. Frequencies by age group, sex, and side were recorded and compared among the different populations. Results of the study coincide with the available historical and archeological data. The differences observed among these populations are probably due to ecological and socio‐cultural factors. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

文化适应背景下留学生的日常行为空间特征——以英国伯明翰市中国留学生为例

空间是文化适应的反映与表征,跨文化的社会学现象呈现了“人-地”关联研究的特征与脉络。本文对英国伯明翰市的中国留学生进行了“文化适应”及“日常行为空间”等的相关调查,分析了该群体在居住、消费等行为的空间特征,并探讨了“文化适应”对“空间行为”的影响。主要结论为:(1)留学生浅层的文化适应限定了活动空间,居住和日常消费就近在大学周边,中国城则成为周末通勤中心,对“住区与学校—中国城”以外的空间感知模糊。(2)人群分异明显,英国文化越融入,越喜欢光顾英式的空间;中国文化越坚守,对中国城越依恋。(3)空间的隔离性与重叠性加剧了对英国文化的疏离。无论是对中国城的更新、还是对大学周边的拓展,政府都需要寻求国际化的城市空间管制途径,加快留学生的文化适应。