Recreational facilities in residential neighbourhoods in Khulna: a study of some selected areas

Abstract

Recreation is one of those qualities of a city that make lives of city dwellers happier, satisfactory and fruitful. The increased density of population in our cities caused the elimination of much open space while at the same time it created an ever-growing need for recreational facilities. Most of the areas of our cities have grown naturally. These cities developed with a very limited scope for recreation. This is true for Khulna also. With the growth of population in the Khulna Metropolis, the importance of recreational spaces and facilities is becoming more prominent. There is an increasing demand for recreation in the city, whereas the neighborhoods are being built with very limited scope for recreation for prospective residents. Urban planners emphasize the need to provide recreational facilities in residential neighbourhoods because they contribute to the mental and physical well being of residents. It has been noted that, there is serious lack of outdoor recreational facilities in Khulna City. The people due to various reasons do not properly use whatever facilities exist in the city. For this instance, people mainly enjoy home-based recreation. Home-based recreation is largely affected by the availability of home-based recreational facilities and financial affordability. Again, home-based recreational facilities are mainly available to higher income people, where the lower income group avail very little and cheaper facilities. The results of the study present a thorough understanding of the neighbourhoods recreational activities, facilities, problems and behavior of the people concerned. This study tried to establish there are direct and indirect linkages of physical and mental well being of residents with that of recreational facilities available in their neighbourhoods and also these out-side it. In this regard, surveys, interviews, etc. investigated the level and quality of recreational facilities available and the effect these facilitieshave on the local residents.