THE EMERGENCE OF ADOLESCENT TERRITORIES IN A LARGE URBAN LEISURE ENVIRONMENT

This study explored person-environment fit relationships between age and gender characteristics of adolescents and their usage of leisure places within an unusual leisure environment, World Expo '88, and the extent to which adolescent territories emerged as a result of concentrated usage of some places by adolescents. Data from a survey of 465 young people and from interviews with a subsample of these, revealed distinct concentrations of adolescents in entertainment-related places, and in pavilions which adopted 'dynamic' rather than static displays. Interview data further suggest that the places preferred by adolescent visitors had a distinctive atmosphere associated with fun, excitement and relaxation, and allowed them room for personal expression. This cognition of particular leisure places as having a distinctive personal 'feel' seems to contribute, along with frequent usage, to the development of adolescent territories. © 1991 Academic Press Limited.