Die Entwicklung der Trendsportart Slackline im urbanen Raum

Andreas Thomann

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Abstract

Slacklining is one of the latest trends in outdoor activities. The aim of this trend setting sport is to tension a line between two anchors and then control one’s balance while walking along the line. With the boom of slacklining in the German speaking countries and the growing and significant presence of Slackliners in urban green spaces who are fixing slacklines between trees, the communal officials were concerned and forced to act to protect the environment in city parks.
Therefore the question arose as to whether the creation of attractive Slacklining areas and Slacklining concepts in urban space, which respect the economic, environmental and social dimensions, can be developed.
The first step was to define the initial situation. Slacklining and possible conflicts were analyzed, followed by a stock and requirement survey along with monitoring and questioning Slackliners to outline the impact on the city green. The ecological impact of slacklining was examined and pressure measurements of slacklines on trees were tested. Guidelines for construction of slackline parks were newly defined. Several slackline parks were built over the city area of Cologne. After a year of use, these slackline parks were analyzed through monitoring and a quantitative questionnaire. Finally a concept for Slacklining in city areas was created.
Using the model of Lamprecht et al. (2003) Slacklining in 2012 could be classified as a trend sport in the late phase of development. The monitoring of Cologne’s parks which were slackline hotspots where there was a very significant usage of trees was carried out. The pressure measurements on trees showed advantages and disadvantages of the various slackline materials that were used.
This allowed recommendations for tree friendly use to be defined. However the ecological agreeability could not be easily clarified and so Cologne’s decision-makers decided to produce slackline parks in the highly frequented areas. A special treelike anchor was developed along with a permanent protection system. Regarding the evidence about the surface material below the slacklines and the optimal positioning of anchors to create various possibilities to tens slacklines, slackline parks were constructed.
Following a year of use of the slackline parks surveys and data showed a high level of satisfaction among slackliners and that unsanctioned slacklining on trees was nonexistent in the vicinity of the constructions.
Other than the requirements of the sport, the social elements and nature engagement, the criteria for attractive slackline parks, subject to intention and target audience, are as follows: Ambience of slackline parks, distance of journey between home and slackline park, location and distribution of all the slackline parks, information about slackline parks and the existing lengths for tensioning slacklines in the slackline parks depending on current and sought ability of the users. The comparison to slackline parks and solutions of other cities revealed useful and additional criteria for planning attractive and well used sport facilities for slacklining.
Based on the findings, the generated and recommended Slackline concept for urban green spaces is a zoning arrangement that can be adapted across the urban area. In environmentally sensitive areas slacklining will be forbidden (zone one). Zone two defines areas which are highly frequented by slackliners. There the sport is only allowed in slackline parks produced by the city. Free slacklining using tree friendly equipment and approaches through friction and pressure protection and a minimum tree diameter can be done in zone three.
Slacklining is a striking sport which meets individual behavior, social and health requirements and can contribute to policies on active and healthy lifestyles. After a period of six years observing and evaluating slacklining this work displays recommendations and aspects for decision-makers to handle this trend sport in their city boundaries. Conflicts can be solved with the right actions and attractive sport facilities, which match a modern city and society.
Original languageGerman
Place of PublicationKöln
PublisherDeutsche Sporthochschule Köln
Number of pages215
Publication statusPublished - 2017

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