Multiple Case Studies of the Influence of Land-Use Type on the Distribution of Uses along Urban River Greenways

Abstract

This descriptive case study examines the influence of the land-use type on the level of use of greenways for physical activity, and is intended to inform the construction or expansion of multi-use greenway systems. Greenway use data were collected through direct observation, making multiple passes over two city greenways and recording the location of users with a Global Positioning System device. The distribution of uses was then examined with land-use data using geographic information systems to determine if use was heaviest on segments of the greenway adjacent to areas with distinct land-use characteristics. The study reveals that use is heaviest on sections of the greenway that intersect parks and on greenway segments in downtown areas where there is a concentration of commercial land use. Use is also significant on segments that connect parks to the downtown when these two land uses are separated by relatively short distances.