scholarly journals Stay close to urban green spaces: current evidence on cultural ecosystem services provision

2021 ◽  
Vol 31 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Diogo Guedes Vidal ◽  
Catarina Patoilo Teixeira ◽  
Ricardo Cunha Dias ◽  
Cláudia Oliveira Fernandes ◽  
Walter Leal Filho ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Research suggests that access to urban green spaces (UGS) is crucial to support public and environmental health through ecosystem services (ES) provision. However, Cultural ecosystem services (CES), due to their connections to human emotion, a deep meaning, fulfilment, and motivation, have been less studied. CES provision in UGS are central to well-being, contributing to improving mental and physical health outcomes, as well as enhancing social cohesion. Accordingly, this systematic review aims to contribute to a better understanding of CES provision by UGS. Methods A systematic review was carried out in ScienceDirect (Article type = Research articles, years = 2000–2020), PubMed (Article type = journal article, text availability = Full text, year = 2000–2020) and Google Scholar (year = 2000–2020) databases. The keywords used in the search were: ‘urban green space’ OR ‘parks’ AND ‘cultural ecosystem service’ OR ‘cultural services’. Results The search returned 5417 results. After the screening process, 41 articles were reviewed. CES are mainly studied in Europe in the fields of social sciences and landscape management, linking human well-being, urban landscape management, and planning. The dimensions studied are (i) perception and assessment, (ii) recreation and mental and physical health, (iii) aesthetic appreciation/inspiration for culture, art, and design, (iv) tourism, and (v) spiritual experience and sense of place. Conclusions The study points out to the need for efforts to develop relational approaches to help understand what UGS users feel and experience. In particular, how UGS contribute towards promoting healthier and sustainable cities, and to fostering the well-being of people of all ages.

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 538
Author(s):  
Guglielmo Pristeri ◽  
Francesca Peroni ◽  
Salvatore Eugenio Pappalardo ◽  
Daniele Codato ◽  
Antonio Masi ◽  
...  

The rising environmental issues on contemporary cities urgently calls for sustainable planning policies. Implementation of nature-based solutions, ecosystem services, and green infrastructures associated to green spaces management is at present of paramount importance. In contrast to policies mainly focused on public greenery, the inclusion of private green in planning strategies might be a promising pathway. The general aim is mapping and classifying urban green spaces in Padua, a city of 93.3 km2 (Northeast Italy). Specific aims are (i) testing an NDVI-derived extraction from very high-resolution orthophotos; (ii) classifying property status; (iii) highlighting multilevel relationships and strategies for urban green spaces implementation and management; (iv) assessing greenery in relation to per capita population. By performing remote sensing and GIS analyses, a first detailed global map of urban green spaces in Padua was created; then, binary classification and thematic maps for rural/non-rural, public/private, municipal/non-municipal greenery were produced for all urban units. Results show that, among total green spaces (52.23 km2), more than half are rural. Moreover, private green spaces represent 80%, while within public areas (20%) less than 10% are municipal (5 km2). We therefore highlight scenarios for planning policies in Padua by providing tools to policymakers for an integrated management of green spaces, where private greenery might also contribute to ecosystem services implementation for common urban well-being.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (16) ◽  
pp. 9163
Author(s):  
Michèle Pezzagno ◽  
Barbara M. Frigione ◽  
Carla S. S. Ferreira

A loss of natural capital within cities and their surrounding areas has been noticed over the last decades. Increasing development associated with higher sealing rates has caused a general loss of Urban Green Spaces (UGS) within the urban environment, whereas urban sprawl and the improvement of road networks have deeply fragmented the surrounding landscape and jeopardized ecosystems connectivity. UGS are an essential component of the urban system, and their loss has a greater impact on, e.g., ecological and hydrological processes, threatening human well-being. Different types and spatial configurations of UGS may affect their own ability to provide ecosystem services, such as biodiversity support and water regulation. Nevertheless, the study of UGS spatial patterns is a research branch poorly addressed. Moreover, UGS analyses are mainly focused on public and vast green spaces, but seldom on informal, private, and interstitial ones, returning a myopic representation of urban green areas. Therefore, this study investigates the UGS spatial patterns within six Southern European cities, using the urban morphology analysis to assess all urban vegetated lands. Results revealed three main Urban Green Spatial Patterns (UGSPs): Fragmented, Compact, and Linear Distributions. UGSPs taxonomy represents a novelty in the urban morphology field and may have important implications for the ability to provide ecosystem services and, thus, human well-being.


Forests ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 876
Author(s):  
Silvija Krajter Ostoić ◽  
Ana Marija Marin ◽  
Martina Kičić ◽  
Dijana Vuletić

Background and Objectives: Cultural ecosystem services of urban green spaces are increasingly important and often recognized as such by people living in urban areas. Qualitative studies on perception of cultural ecosystem services from urban green spaces are still rare. Previous studies addressed only certain types of urban green space and often only some services. There is a lack of understanding how people perceive cultural ecosystem services from different types of tree-based urban green spaces. Hence, the purpose of the study was to explore whether and how people perceive and use cultural ecosystem services of different types of tree-based urban green spaces. Materials and Methods: Focus groups were conducted with citizens in each city district. Interviews were recorded, transcribed and transcripts analyzed in MAXQDA software. We used bottom up code-category-theme approach to analyze the data without predefined set of codes or categories. Results: Place attachment, aesthetic and recreational services were more recognized than educational and cultural identity services. For place attachment, most important single attributes were positive memories, and good maintenance, while most important categories were facilities, existence of emotional ties, possibility of experiences, recreational use and access. Presence of specific tree species and presence of trees in general were most important attributes for aesthetic services, while possibility of experiences and trees were the most important categories. Conclusions: People perceived various cultural ecosystem services from tree-based urban green space, even though some services more than others. Recreation may be the underlying goal of our participants when interacting with tree-based urban nature. Forests, parks were recognized as those providing multiple cultural ecosystem services. However, other types of green spaces were also recognized as bearers of these services, albeit with less services and attributes attached. It supports the importance of careful planning of urban green spaces in terms of providing a variety of green space types. The study provides basis for later quantification of cultural ecosystem services (CES) from tree-based urban green space.


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