Leisure Space and Quality of Life. An Approach to Their Relationship: The Case of Mar del Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina

Abstract

From a geographical point of view, the scientific approach to leisure space is still emerging in connection with its incorporation and significance within the range of values characteristic of postmodern society. In turn, evaluations on quality of life of the population have barely advanced with respect to leisure as to other traditional dimensions. In this sense, we find fertile grounds on which we can contribute to the construction of knowledge about the overall treatment of leisure space and quality of life. For these reasons, this chapter presents the state of the art of the geographical study corresponding to leisure space and quality of life, seeking to investigate afterwards the possibilities of its overall application in the empirical field. To do so, bibliographical review and critical analysis of specialized literature were applied as methodology. Secondly, this chapter inquires on the territorial imbalances which can be perceived as the product of cartographic overlapping spaces characterized by holding a unique predisposition towards the functionality of leisure (public green areas and shopping streets) and levels of quality of life, at the same time relating to the rates of population growth. Mar del Plata was selected as a study area, a city located in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The information employed came from secondary sources provided by the national census carried out in 2010 by the National Institute of Statistics and Censuses (INDEC) as well as data provided by the municipality of the General Pueyrredon district.