The popularity of nature recreation has grown and its importance for human health and well-being has been widely recognized. As visitor numbers increase and the user base becomes more diverse, better information is needed on how parks and natural areas are used, so that areas and services can be planned, managed and developed sustainably and resource-efficiently.
Digital footprints generated as a result of the use of mobile applications can complement traditional visitor monitoring. They can offer new opportunities to produce up-to-date and diverse information on nature recreation and the activities of different groups of enthusiasts.
The event will present current examples of research on nature recreation that utilizes digital footprints. In addition, a keynote speech will be given by Spencer Wood, a leading researcher from the University of Washington, who is visiting Helsinki.
The event is aimed specifically at experts, professionals and researchers working in nature areas and nature recreation or digital mass materials. Everyone interested in the topic is welcome to the event!
More information and registration at the event website
The event is organised by Digital Geography Lab, a multidisciplinary research group at the Department of Geosciences and Geography at the University of Helsinki. The group studies the movement of people from natural areas to cities and at different scales from local to global. The aim is to understand the interaction between people and the interaction between people and nature and its changes. The perspective is geographical and often also methodological: the group is internationally known for its research that utilizes digital footprints in new ways.
