Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Intergroup Contact, and Social Justice in U.S. Urban Parks
Open Access
- Author:
- Powers, Samantha
- Graduate Program:
- Recreation, Park and Tourism Management (PHD)
- Degree:
- Doctor of Philosophy
- Document Type:
- Dissertation
- Date of Defense:
- May 25, 2021
- Committee Members:
- Nicole Webster, Outside Unit & Field Member
Alan Graefe, Major Field Member
Andrew Mowen, Chair & Dissertation Advisor
Jen Agans, Major Field Member
Peter Newman, Program Head/Chair - Keywords:
- urban parks
intergroup contact
social justice
equity
diversity
inclusion
belonging
critical consciousness
systemic racism
engagement
prejudice
civic engagement
public space - Abstract:
- Urban parks have the potential to foster intergroup contact among racially and ethnically diverse visitors, but less is known about the conditions and outcomes related to intergroup contact in parks. This dissertation investigated intergroup contact in urban parks in the United States from the perspective of park users and park leaders. The first chapter of this dissertation provides a background on the study topics and introduces the supporting theory and conceptual framework. Chapter 2 presents a quantitative study of the outcomes of intergroup contact in urban parks for park users, demonstrating the associations between frequent and positive intergroup contact and lower prejudice, higher interracial trust, higher critical consciousness, and higher civic engagement for social justice. Chapter 3 presents a quantitative study of the conditions which support more frequent and positive intergroup contact in urban parks from the perspective of park users, documenting the roles of sense of welcome and belonging as well as equitable/inclusive engagement and representation. Chapter 4 presents a qualitative study of urban park agency leaders’ perceptions and management actions related to intergroup contact in parks, demonstrating their recognition of both positive and negative contact, conditions and management practices that support contact, and outcomes of contact. Finally, Chapter 5 summarizes key findings and identifies directions for future research.