Ett sociotopkarteringsarbete i Länghem – En studie i hur invånarna använder och värderar grönytor

Abstract

This essay examines how the inhabitants in the village of Länghem in the Tranemo municipality uses and valuates green areas. The municipality of Tranemo is currently working on a in depth comprehensive plan for Länghem and is therefore in need of a sociotope map that will be used in the future as a base for decision making. The purpose of this essay has been to examine how the inhabitants of Länghem uses and valuates the green spaces in the village. To reach this purpose we used the following framing: - What green spaces are being used and what are they used for? - What green spaces are considered valuable? The fundamental aspects of this essay are concepts in human geography that helps us understand how humans experience and handle their environment. Maybe the most central key concept is place and how people interact with places. The concept of availability is also a central aspect. Further, the theory chapter also describes how green spaces affects us humans and the environment, sociotope mapping as a method and public participation. This essay is a describing case study in which a qualitative method has been used to answer the purpose of it. The empirical aspects of it have been collected through interviews with inhabitants in the village of Länghem. The result of the study indicates that the green spaces within the village of Länghem is mainly being used by families that are using the play grounds with their children. Adults are mainly using green spaces outside of the village. Popular green spaces include the park by the railway and Ingsvallen, a popular football field. These areas are not only popular in recreational senses, they also work as meeting places for the inhabitants of Länghem. The respondents of the interviews thought that the green spaces that exist in Länghem today are sufficient and that the green areas that are not being used should be exploited in the purpose of building homes.