Entorno urbano y uso de parques: Estudio comparativo entre dos barrios del Área Metropolitana de Monterrey

In this case study we examine how the characteristics of the urban setting determine the pattern of use of parks by kids of two neighborhoods of the metropolitan area of Monterrey. We find that the quality of the infrastructure, the distance to the parks, and the perception of the neighborhood safety significantly affects the time that kids spend in the parks. Kids of the less-equipped and socially less-dynamic neighborhood spent considerably fewer hours in the parks and their visits occur less frequently. We also find that in both locations there exists a significant gender difference: the expected number of recreation time of girls is fifty percent inferior. We particularly recommend coordination among the different organisms to prevent the decline of parks and to create new ones considering strategic locations and more suitable designs