1. Leisure In Urban Areas

2. The Leisure Hierarchy A simple hierarchy can be established, depending on population size and number of people needed to support a leisure or sporting activity. In most small settlements there are few facilities available. However, as settlement size increases (and the threshold population increases), settlements are able to offer a greater variety of leisure and recreation facilities with increasingly specialist functions. The area the settlement serves (the sphere of influence) increases in size. Higher order functions are more centralised.

3. A Simple Hierarchy Community SizeRecommended FacilitiesActivities Offered Village (Pop. 500-1500)Community Hall; Community Open Space. Badminton; Keep Fit; Yoga; Football; Cricket. Small Country Town (Pop. 2500-6000) AS ABOVE, plus: Tennis Courts; Sports Hall; Swimming Pool. AS ABOVE, plus: Tennis; Netball; Gym; Hockey. Capital CityNational Sports Centre for selected sports. AS ABOVE, plus: Bowling; Golf; Skateboarding; Judo; Karate; Home grounds of sport clubs (Football, Rugby, Hockey); Athletics ground; grounds/stadia for international fixtures.

4. Intra-Urban Spatial Patterns In most small and medium-sized cities there is a concentration of leisure facilities and tourist attractions in the central area of the city, while on the periphery there are increasing numbers of sports and leisure centres, garden centres, and country parks. The central area contains the main concentration of restaurants, cinemas, theatres, and other facilities that do not require much space. Finally there may be some leisure facilities dispersed into neighbourhoods, such as parks and recreation grounds, and community centres.

5. Tourist Facilities In Urban Areas Urban areas are important for tourism because they are… Destinations in their own right. Gateways for tourist entry. Centres for accommodation. Bases for excursions

6. The Tourism Business District In most urban areas there is a distinct pattern in the distribution of tourist activities and facilities. The tourist centre of the city is often referred to as the RBD (Recreational Business District) or the TBD (Tourist Business District). In many cities, the TBD and CBD coincide. Tourist facilities in urban areas include accommodation, catering, and shopping. Most tourist-related accommodation is found in urban areas, and urban infrastructure and accessibility is vital in the location of hotels and guesthouses.

7. Activity 1 Using A2 Geography P266-268, answer the following… 1.For Mexico, think about the types of Recreation and Tourist facilities in the area and show their locations on a spatial diagram like figure 7.7. 2.Add annotations to explain the main features of the spatial distribution you have shown.

8. Activity 2 Suggest reasons for each of the following observations about Leisure and Tourism… 1.The greatest concentration and variety remains in the CBD. 2.The growth zone is in the rural-urban fringe. 3.Provision is lowest of all in the outer suburbs.