Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the use and perceptions of urban green space: An international exploratory study.

Autor: Ugolini F; Institute of BioEconomy, National Research Council, via Madonna del Piano 10, 50019, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy., Massetti L; Institute of BioEconomy, National Research Council, via Madonna del Piano 10, 50019, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy., Calaza-Martínez P; Spanish Association of Public Parks and Gardens, Calle Campo de La Estrada N2 Portal C 3 D, 15001, A Coruña, Spain., Cariñanos P; Department of Botany, Faculty of Pharmacy. Andalusian Institute for Earth System Research, IISTA-CEAMA, University of Granada, 18071, Granada, Spain., Dobbs C; Center for Modelling and Monitoring Ecosystems, School of Forest Engineering, Universidad Mayor, Jose Toribio Medina 29, Santiago, Chile., Ostoic SK; Croatian Forest Research Institute, Cvjetno naselje 41, 10450, Jastrebarsko, Croatia., Marin AM; Croatian Forest Research Institute, Cvjetno naselje 41, 10450, Jastrebarsko, Croatia., Pearlmutter D; Department of Geography and Environmental Development, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Sede Boqer Campus, 84990, Israel.; Institute of BioEconomy, National Research Council, via Madonna del Piano 10, 50019, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy., Saaroni H; Geography and the Human Environment Department, The Porter School of the Environment and Earth Sciences, The Raymond and Beverly Sackler Faculty of Exact Sciences, Tel Aviv University, POB 39040, Ramat Aviv, 69978, Tel Aviv, Israel., Šaulienė I; Siauliai University, P. Višinskio street 25-115, 76351, Šiauliai, Lithuania., Simoneti M; IPoP - Institute for Spatial Policies, Tržaška 2, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia., Verlič A; JP VOKA SNAGA d.o.o., Nature Conservation Unit Landscape Park Tivoli, Rožnik and Šiška hill. Vodovodna cesta 90, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia., Vuletić D; Croatian Forest Research Institute, Cvjetno naselje 41, 10450, Jastrebarsko, Croatia., Sanesi G; Department of Agro-Environmental Sciences, University of Bari, Via Amendola, 165/A, 70126, Bari, Italy.
Jazyk: angličtina
Zdroj: Urban forestry & urban greening [Urban For Urban Green] 2020 Dec; Vol. 56, pp. 126888. Date of Electronic Publication: 2020 Oct 16.
DOI: 10.1016/j.ufug.2020.126888
Abstrakt: Urban green space (UGS) is an essential element in the urban environment, providing multiple ecosystem services as well as beneficial effects on physical and mental health. In a time of societal crisis these effects may be amplified, but ensuring that they are maintained requires effective planning and management - which is a complex challenge given the rapid changes in modern society and the need for continual adaptation. This study aims to identify the drivers that normally attract visitors to UGS, and to assess the effects of social isolation on the usage and perception of UGS during the COVID-19 pandemic. We conducted an online survey during the period in which restrictive measures were imposed in response to the pandemic (March-May 2020), in Croatia, Israel, Italy, Lithuania, Slovenia and Spain. Results showed that urban residents normally have a need for accessible UGS, mainly for physical exercise, relaxing and observing nature. The reduction in UGS visitation during the containment period was related to distinct changes in the motivations of those who did visit, with a relative increase in "necessary activities" such as taking the dog out, and a reduction in activities that could be considered non-essential or high-risk such as meeting people or observing nature. Behavioral changes related to proximity were also observed, with an increase in people walking to small urban gardens nearby (e.g. in Italy) or tree-lined streets (e.g. in Spain, Israel), and people traveling by car to green areas outside the city (e.g. in Lithuania). What the respondents missed the most about UGS during the pandemic was "spending time outdoors" and "meeting other people" - highlighting that during the COVID-19 isolation, UGS was important for providing places of solace and respite, and for allowing exercise and relaxation. Respondents expressed the need for urban greenery even when legally mandated access was limited - and many proposed concrete suggestions for improved urban planning that integrates green spaces of different sizes within the fabric of cities and neighborhoods, so that all residents have access to UGS.
Competing Interests: The authors reported no declarations of interest.
(© 2020 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.)
Databáze: MEDLINE
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