Proximity of Buildings on youth's perceptions of natural character of Coromandel Peninsula east coast sandy beaches

This research examines the effect of building proximity on youth perceptions of the degree of 'naturalness' of coastal sites. Its objective was to determine whether the proximity of human structures was a major determining factor in youth's perception of natural character. Also considered was whether setbacks are an appropriate method of preserving natural character for coastal areas. The research also sought to identify what other factors affect the youth sector's perception of natural character. This included developing the idea of 'natural character' beyond a simple visual definition. Purpose: To determine whether the proximity of human structures was a major determining factor in youth's perception of natural character.

Group ranking of natural character for the 8 beaches visited (Otama, Whangapoua, Whiritoa, Tairua, Opoutere, Pauanui, Whangamata, Whitianga) including which factors influenced the natural character rankings (Proximity of buildings, Visibility of buildings, Road, Flora, Smell, Noise, Sand dune, Building colour/material, Building extent/number, Aesthetics, Structures on beach).

selected beaches on the Coromandel Peninsula

Otama – 2756609, 6495505, NZMG, 1:20,000, AREA Whangapoua – 2744764, 6495348, NZMG, 1:20,000, AREA Whiritoa – 2767954, 6431164, NZMG, 1:50,000, AREA Tairua – 2764892, 6463604, NZMG, 1:50,000, AREA Opoutere – 2766989, 6450390, NZMG, 1:50,000, AREA Pauanui – 2765608, 6460731, NZMG, 1:50,000, AREA Whangamata – 2765662, 6439779, NZMG, 1:50,000, AREA Whitianga – 2751550, 6482579, NZMG, 1:10,000, AREA

winter 1999?

Based on Habermas' (1979) concepts of creating ideal speech conditions and Tuan's (1974) concepts of enabling full direct experience of the situation they were required to assess. A group of youth's were pre-tested using photographs of sites. Highlighted influence of 'authority' decisions/ideas. A selected sample group of youths from Hamilton secondary schools were taken on site visits. The group ranked sites' natural character, first individually and then through group discussion. Frequency of collection: One off survey

Based on personal judgements which sometimes stopped the group from reach consensus of group rankings. Indicated that members of the group based their assessment of naturalness on different attributes. Gaps in collection: Not reported Data quality: Followed the concepts of Habermas' (1979) and Tuan's (1974). Attribute accuracy: Requiring the group to decide on the assessment scale highlighted what was valued without imposing already developed ideas. Completeness: Not reported

report, photographs, maps Digital Format: MS Word, scanned aerial photos in .jpg format

Free Sensitivity/Confidentiality: None

Finished