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RECREATION AND ROLE OF RECREATIONAL ARCHITECTS

G N S T U D I O

RICHA AGARWAL
M.ARCH 2nd SEM. RECREATION ARCHTECTURE JAMIA MILLIA ISLAMIA

RECREATION:
Recreation or fun is the expenditure of time in a manner designed for therapeutic refreshment of one's body or mind. It is a break from monotony and a diversion from the daily routine. It is an essential element of human biology and psychology. Recreational activities are often done for enjoyment, amusement, or pleasure and are considered to be "fun". While leisure is more likely a form of entertainment or sleep, recreation is active for the participant but in a refreshing and diverting manner. A time in which individuals are not compelled to do anything, and are free to choose to relax or to take part in a leisure activity. Leisure has important social functions, including relief from the demands and restrictions of work. It is the release of the body from the tension and strain of work may be understood as a natural physical response to fatigue. Since the 1970s, complex economic and social trends have reversed the historical trend toward increased leisure time. There are certain values derived from recreation such as: Mental health Physical Health & Growth Emotional Stability Social Fitness Psychological Awareness.
TYPES OF LEISURE: Active leisure: activities involve the exertion of physical or mental energy. Low-impact physical activities include walking and yoga, which expend little energy and have little contact or competition. High-impact activities such as kickboxing and football consume much energy and are competitive. Some active leisure activities involve almost no physical activity, but do require a substantial mental effort, such as playing chess or painting a picture. Active leisure and recreation overlap significantly. Passive leisure: activities are those in which a person does not exert any significant physical or mental energy, such as going to the cinema, watching television, or gambling on slot machines. Some leisure experts discourage these types of leisure activity, on the grounds that they do not provide the benefits offered by active leisure activities. For example, acting in a community drama (an active leisure activity) could build a person's skills or selfconfidence. Nevertheless, passive leisure activities are a good way of relaxing for many people.

ROLE OF RECREATION ARCHITECTS:

Recreation architecture forms an inseparable bond with its surrounding land. It holds the attention and interest of an audience, or gives pleasure and delight. Although peoples attention is held by different things, because individuals have different preferences in entertainment, most forms are recognisable and familiar. A recreation architect first of all understand the need for creating different spaces for recreation in contemporary urban world as since rapid urbanization has greatly transformed the spatial pattern of urban land use worldwide. Consequently, the resulting losses of urban green space at local to global level are continuously altering urban ecosystems as a result of which Indians today are confronted with a number of serious health and social issues like obesity, diabetes, depression, cardio vascular disease and suicide etc. The trend towards a sedentary lifestyle is recognized as a major contributor towards many of Indias health and social issues. So there is a need to study how recreation and leisure activities affect human beings at a the social, psychological and physical levels. These studies also have their social benefits such as strengthening communities, promoting social bonds and supporting youth etc. The Values and Benefits of Recreation for professionals are numerous. The charm lies in looking out something thats works out best for habitat. There are different types of recreation and what value and benefit one can derive from it depends upon the proactiveness to try them out and incorporate them as part of working routine. Benefits ranked by recreation and parks professionals are as follows: Basic services to poorer residents Safeguarding the natural environment Civic identity and pride Community visual appeal and function Develops strong communities Individual growth and development Avoidance of costly damage due to mismanagement of the ecological system Prevents social problems Reduces health problems and costs Integrates disabled, disadvantaged and socially alienated Assists tourist industry Attracts industry. Revitalized city & Boost tourism. Revenue generation.