Our Future Environment

The street tree stocking level in census track 223 ranged from 33 trees per block to 6 trees per block; with an average of 19. Although this study cannot report where this census track falls in the 51-75% tree level reported for Crown Heights the map (see Figure 1) does show a significant lack of trees in the three northeastern blocks.
The total number of people observed during the two-week period was 560 (see Table 1).  Of the total, 35% were approximately 20 years of age or younger, 60% were 21 years of age or older, and roughly 5% were unidentifiable. Of the total 560, 48% were female, 50% were male, and 2% were unidentifiable. Unidentifiable codes are due to a lack of inter-rater reliability.
Of the total people observed, 45% were active. The active code includes walking, talking, playing or utilizing surrounding objects. The other 55% were coded as passive; such activity includes standing, sitting or talking. Talking is included in both active and passive codes since it occurs simultaneously with another activity such as walking or sitting.
Weekday Mornings
The total number of people observed during the two weekday mornings was 139. For an example of one weekday morning see Figure 2.
Of the total people observed on these mornings, 42 were youth 20 years of age or younger and 35% of those youth were observed in areas of high tree cover. In areas of high tree cover, 25% of youth were engaged in active behavior and 75% were engaged in passive behavior. Sixty-five percent of youth observed were in areas of low tree cover.  In areas of low tree cover, 80% of youth were engaged in passive behavior and 20% were engaged in active behavior.
Of the total people observed on these mornings, 97 were adults 21 years of age or older and 56% of those adults were observed in areas of high tree cover. In areas of high tree cover, 65% of adults were engaged in active behavior and 35% were engaged in passive behavior. Forty-four percent of adults observed were in areas of low tree cover. In areas of low tree cover, 48% of adults were engaged in passive behavior and 52% were engaged in active behavior.
Of the total people observed on these mornings, 12 groups of people were observed on both days. The other people observed were separate individuals not talking, walking, or interacting with anyone else. The groups were of special interest to this study because of the interaction of social groups with the landscape. Of the groups observed, 58% interacted in areas of high tree cover and 42% interacted in low tree cover areas. In the high tree cover areas, 75% of groups engaged in active behavior and 25% in passive behavior. In the low tree cover areas, 60% of groups engaged in active behavior and 40% engaged in passive behavior.
Weekday Evenings
The total number of people observed during the two weekday evenings was 198.
Of the total people observed on these evenings, 99 were youth 20 years of age or younger and 55% of those youth were observed in areas of high tree cover. In areas of high tree cover, 43% of youth were engaged in active behavior and 57% were engaged in passive behavior. Forty-five percent of youth observed were in areas of low tree cover. In areas of low tree cover, 32% of youth were engaged in passive behavior and 68% were engaged in active behavior.
Of the total people observed on these evenings, 99 were adults 21 years of age or older and 32% of those adults were observed in areas of high tree cover. In areas of high tree cover, 52% of adults were engaged in active behavior and 48% were engaged in passive behavior. Sixty-eight percent of adults observed were in areas of low tree cover. In areas of low tree cover, 78% of adults were engaged in passive behavior and 22% were engaged in active behavior.
Of the total people observed on these evenings, an average of 7 groups of people were observed on both days. Of the groups observed, 69% interacted in areas of high tree cover and 31% interacted in low tree cover areas. In the high tree cover areas, 23% of groups engaged in active behavior and 77% in passive behavior. In the low tree cover areas, 61% of groups engaged in active behavior and 39% engaged in passive behavior.
Weekend Mornings
The total number of people observed during the two weekend mornings was 100.
Of the total people observed on these mornings, 29 were youth 20 years of age or younger and 33% of those youth were observed in areas of high tree cover. In areas of high tree cover, 46% of youth were engaged in active behavior and 54% were engaged in passive behavior. Sixty seven percent of youth observed were in areas of low tree cover. In areas of low tree cover, 17% of youth were engaged in passive behavior and 83% were engaged in active behavior.
Of the total people observed on these mornings, 71 were adults 21 years of age or older and 56% of those adults were observed in areas of high tree cover. In areas of high tree cover, 35% of adults were engaged in active behavior and 65% were engaged in passive behavior. Forty four percent of adults observed were in areas of low tree cover In areas of low tree cover, 84% of adults were engaged in passive behavior and 16% were engaged in active behavior.
Of the total people observed on these mornings, an average of 10 groups of people were observed on both days. Of the groups observed, 56% interacted in areas of high tree cover and 44% interacted in low tree cover areas. In the high tree cover areas, 28% of groups engaged in active behavior and 72% in passive behavior. In the low tree cover areas, 63% of groups engaged in active behavior and 37% engaged in passive behavior.
Weekend Evenings
The total number of people observed during the two weekend evenings was 123.
Of the total people observed on these evenings, 80 were youth 20 years of age or younger and 34% of those youth were observed in areas of high tree cover. In areas of high tree cover, 24% of youth were engaged in active behavior and 76% were engaged in passive behavior. Sixty six percent of youth observed were in areas of low tree cover. In areas of low tree cover, 57% of youth were engaged in passive behavior and 43% were engaged in active behavior.
Of the total people observed on these evenings, 43 were adults 21 years of age or older and 56% of those adults were observed in areas of high tree cover. In areas of high tree cover, 62% of adults were engaged in active behavior and 38% were engaged in passive behavior. Forty four percent of adults observed were in areas of low tree cover. In areas of low tree cover, 32% of adults were engaged in passive behavior and 68% were engaged in active behavior.
Of the total people observed on these evenings, 9 groups of people were observed on both days. Of the groups observed, 83% interacted in areas of high tree cover and 17% interacted in low tree cover areas. In the high tree cover areas, 49% of groups engaged in active behavior and 51% in passive behavior. In the low tree cover areas, 66% of groups engaged in active behavior and 34% engaged in passive behavior.

Filed under: environmental planning on April 8th, 2008