The purpose of this study is to comprehensively investigate the effect of the instinctive behavioral characteristics of dogs on the floor plan of a pet theme park, and to propose a practical space planning principle that dogs and pets can coexist and ...
The purpose of this study is to comprehensively investigate the effect of the instinctive behavioral characteristics of dogs on the floor plan of a pet theme park, and to propose a practical space planning principle that dogs and pets can coexist and use based on this. With the recent rapid increase in the companion population, dogs are recognized as members of the family in human living environments, not just animals. As a result, the demand for pet theme parks is increasing as a complex leisure space that dogs and pets can use together, but the current theme park's space composition still remains in a formal arrangement centered on facilities and does not sufficiently reflect the instinctive behavior of dogs and actual user needs. Therefore, this study attempted to supplement the limitations of existing studies by studying the instincts of dogs from a behavioral point of view and empirically reviewing them by connecting them with floor plan elements.
The research method proceeded with the following procedure. First, through literature research, the behavioral characteristics of dogs were classified into four categories: physical activity behavior, sensory behavior, physiological behavior, and social behavior, and the spatial characteristics required of each behavior type were analyzed. Second, by investigating the cases of domestic and foreign pet theme parks, the current status of operation, space composition method, and program operation system were compared and reviewed. Through this, the possibility of connection with the characteristics of dog behavior was derived, and the spatial strengths and weaknesses of each case were identified. Third, a survey was conducted to collect and analyze perceptions and demands targeting general companion persons raising dogs. This survey was designed around the behavioral characteristics and space use experience of dogs, and through this, the correlation between space composition and behavioral characteristics was confirmed. In addition, some responses also raised the need for in-depth interviews (FGI) including expert groups in the future, setting the direction of follow-up research.
As a result of the study, dogs needed a vast exercise space through physical and active behaviors such as jumping, running, and tug play, which emphasized the need to design an off-leash area in the theme park and a safe running track. As sensory behavior, olfactory detection, auditory response, and visual tracking were confirmed, and exploratory play areas and environmental design including various stimulating factors were required to satisfy this. As for physiological behavior, daily habits such as marking, panting, and grooming appeared, and accordingly, the arrangement of hygienic excretion spaces, moisture replenishment, and cooling zones was required. As for social behavior, sniffing, mirroring, and Barking were mainly made up, suggesting the need for a community space that can promote interaction between dogs and support exchanges between companion animals. This analysis shows that it is important to construct a space in which the characteristics of dog behavior and human-centered needs are balanced beyond simply the functional arrangement of facilities.
In the results of the survey, the companion recognized the factors of securing safety, hygiene management, conflict between companion and non-companion, exchange with dogs, and educational experience as important in planning the theme park space. In particular, many of the respondents requested systematic management, play and training programs, and a rest area where they could participate with their dogs while securing an off-the-shelf space. This can be said to be a result of strong support for the fact that behavioral characteristics and user experiences should be reflected simultaneously in space planning.
This study has the following academic and practical significance. First, an interdisciplinary convergence approach was attempted by combining two research fields, dog behavior and space planning. Second, it was suggested that the space composition of the pet theme park should be shifted to experience-oriented and relationship-oriented beyond simple facilities. Third, by confirming the correlation between behavioral characteristics and spatial composition through an empirical survey, basic data for future pet-friendly city design and policy establishment were provided. Furthermore, this study can be used as a strategic basic study that can simultaneously achieve improvement of pet welfare and strengthening the publicity of urban space in the future.
However, the limitations of this study also exist. The sample of the survey was limited to some regions and populations, and there was a limit to clearly elucidating the causal relationship between dog behavior and space composition. Therefore, in future studies, sample design, in-depth expert interviews, and experimental verification studies including more diverse regions and age groups should be conducted in parallel. Through this, it will be possible to more accurately investigate the correlation between dog instinctive behavioral characteristics and space planning and develop it into actual design guidelines.
In conclusion, this study suggested the direction of rational and sustainable space design by reflecting the instinctive behavioral characteristics of dogs in the plan of the pet theme park. This contributes to laying a social foundation for dogs and pets to enjoy happiness together, and further provides an important academic foundation for realizing a pet-friendly city.