scholarly journals The impact of landscape aesthetic and ecological qualities on public preference of planting types in urban green spaces

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
pp. 7-17
Author(s):  
Maija Veinberga ◽  
Daiga Skujane ◽  
Peteris Rivza
Keyword(s):  
Human Perception ◽  
Green Spaces ◽  
Public Preference ◽  
Landscape Preference ◽  
Urban Green ◽  
Urban Green Spaces ◽  
Environment Quality ◽  
High Level ◽  
Landscape Ecological ◽  
The Impact

Landscape preference in relation to human perception of landscape ecological and aesthetic qualities analysed in different studies. The importance of both qualities is highlighted especially for urban green spaces, where the enhancement of environment quality in conjunction with providing high level aesthetics is becoming a topical issue. This paper analyses seven planting types in urban green spaces in accordance with six landscape ecological and aesthetic qualities. Therefore the aim of this research is to investigate which planting type inhabitants and tourists from four Latvian cities prefer more. Planting types were evaluated according to landscape ecological and aesthetic qualities – attractiveness, naturalness, neatness, necessity of care, wilderness and safety. The method of image simulations of the different planting type alternatives was used. The research results showed a correlation between the landscape preference and respondent`s gender, level of education and place of residence. The research did not display differences in landscape preference in terms of specific regional characteristics of the four selected cities. Results of this research could be used in the decision-making process for development of new and revitalization of current green spaces in the researched cities.

scholarly journals The impact of urban green spaces on the probability of urban crime in Indonesia

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 161-169
Author(s):  
Ni Made Sukartini ◽  
Ilmiawan Auwalin ◽  
Rumayya Rumayya
Keyword(s):  
Urban Crime ◽  
Green Spaces ◽  
Urban Green ◽  
Urban Green Spaces ◽  
The Impact

scholarly journals The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the importance of urban green spaces to the public

2021 ◽  
pp. 105925
Author(s):  
Tomasz Noszczyk ◽  
Julia Gorzelany ◽  
Anita Kukulska-Kozieł ◽  
Józef Hernik
Keyword(s):  
Green Spaces ◽  
Urban Green ◽  
Urban Green Spaces ◽  
The Public ◽  
The Impact

scholarly journals “I Would Never Come Here Because I’ve Got My Own Garden”: Older Adults’ Perceptions of Small Urban Green Spaces

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (11) ◽  
pp. 1994 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vanessa G. Macintyre ◽  
Sarah Cotterill ◽  
Jamie Anderson ◽  
Chris Phillipson ◽  
Jack S. Benton ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Urban Environments ◽  
Green Spaces ◽  
Photo Elicitation ◽  
Urban Green ◽  
Urban Green Spaces ◽  
Health And Wellbeing ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Improve Health

Green spaces are known to improve health and wellbeing via several mechanisms, such as by reducing stress and facilitating physical activity. However, little is known about the impact of the smaller green spaces typically found in urban environments on wellbeing, especially for older adults. This study investigated experiences in adults (5 males and 10 females) aged 60 years and over of small urban green spaces in a large UK city. Fifteen older adults were interviewed using semi-structured walk-along interviews and photo elicitation methods in Old Moat, Greater Manchester. Twelve of the participants lived in Old Moat at the time of the study, and the remaining three participants previously lived in Old Moat and were frequent visitors. Transcribed interviews were analyzed using Thematic Analysis. Smaller urban green spaces were perceived differently to large green spaces, and participants were more likely to use larger green spaces such as parks. The smaller green spaces were perceived as belonging to other people, which discouraged the older adults from using them. The older adults also emphasized the importance of taking care of small urban green spaces and preventing them from becoming overgrown. Urban planners should consider these factors, since they indicate that the size and type of urban green spaces may influence whether they improve health and wellbeing. Further research should investigate in more detail which types of urban green space are most conducive to facilitating physical activity and improving wellbeing.

Are trees and shrubs unsafe hiding places? Impact of plant forms on the perception of danger in urban green spaces in crime hot spots

2021 ◽  
Vol 91 ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Aleksandra Lis ◽  
Łukasz Pardela ◽  
Paweł Iwankowski ◽  
Antal Haans
Keyword(s):  
Urban Parks ◽  
Green Spaces ◽  
Urban Green ◽  
Urban Green Spaces ◽  
Perceived Danger ◽  
Highly Correlated ◽  
Sense Of Danger ◽  
Forest Parks ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Trees And Shrubs

Urban parks and forests are important for wellbeing, but feelings of unsafety limited their usage. Removal of vegetation from hotspots of fear is sometimes recommended as a means of boosting safety. However such actions should be approached with caution. One explanation, based on prospect-refuge theory, is that plants increase perceptions of danger because of their contribution to a setting’s effectiveness in concealing criminals. It is also believed that people do not like urban green spaces parks containing trees and shrubs that can act as hiding places because of the sense of danger that this vegetation evokes. To test this explanation, participants rated 57 photos of urban parks and forest parks settings park settings on perceived danger, effectiveness of concealment, and landscape preference. In addition, the effectiveness of concealment in the photos was measured assuming that the value of this variable is expressed by the percentage of the pixels occupied by trees and shrubs offering concealment in a photograph. Results confirmed that concealment and danger are highly correlated mediation analysis confirmed that the impact of concealment on preferences can be explained by perceived danger. When the danger was controlled, the efficiency of concealment had no influence on preferences.

scholarly journals Estimation of the Allergenic Potential of Urban Trees and Urban Parks: Towards the Healthy Design of Urban Green Spaces of the Future

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (8) ◽  
pp. 1357 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cariñanos ◽  
Grilo ◽  
Pinho ◽  
Casares-Porcel ◽  
Branquinho ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Urban Areas ◽  
Urban Environments ◽  
Urban Trees ◽  
Green Spaces ◽  
Urban Green ◽  
Urban Green Spaces ◽  
Allergenic Potential ◽  
Causative Agents ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Ornamental Species

The impact of allergens emitted by urban green spaces on health is one of the main disservices of ecosystems. The objective of this work is to establish the potential allergenic value of some tree species in urban environments, so that the allergenicity of green spaces can be estimated through application of the Index of Urban Green Zones Allergenicity (IUGZA). Multiple types of green spaces in Mediterranean cities were selected for the estimation of IUGZ. The results show that some of the ornamental species native to the Mediterranean are among the main causative agents of allergy in the population; in particular, Oleaceae, Cupressaceae, Fagaceae, and Platanus hispanica. Variables of the strongest impact on IUGZA were the bioclimatic characteristics of the territory and design aspects, such as the density of trees and the number of species. We concluded that the methodology to assess the allergenicity associated with urban trees and urban areas presented in this work opens new perspectives in the design and planning of urban green spaces, pointing out the need to consider the potential allergenicity of a species when selecting plant material to be used in cities. Only then can urban green areas be inclusive spaces, in terms of public health.

scholarly journals State of woody vegetation in an urbanized environment (the example of Krasnoyarsk)

2021 ◽  
Vol 875 (1) ◽  
pp. 012080
Author(s):  
E Lisotova ◽  
L Suntsova ◽  
E Inshakov
Keyword(s):  
Urban Areas ◽  
Woody Plants ◽  
Research Effort ◽  
Green Spaces ◽  
Urban Green ◽  
Urban Green Spaces ◽  
Vital State ◽  
The Impact ◽  
First Time ◽  
Selection Of

Abstract Woody plants are one of the effective ways of stabilising the ecological environment of large industrial cities. In order to maximize the effect of green spaces a large and diverse research effort is needed to study the urban green spaces, assess their ecological plasticity and adaptive potential. The results of such research will be the basis for recommendations on the selection of an assortment of species for landscaping of urban areas. The aim of the study was to investigate the condition of woody plants growing in the urban environment of Krasnoyarsk. Within the framework of the study a comprehensive assessment of existing urban green spaces was carried out for the first time for Krasnoyarsk. The species composition and age structure of plantings are established by the results of inventory of public plantings. The vital state of dominant species has been evaluated and their ecological and physiological characteristics, including the study of water retaining capacity of leaves, has been carried out. That allowed to estimate the impact of anthropogenic environment on the condition of urban woody plants.

scholarly journals Water and Energy Efficiency Assessment in Urban Green Spaces

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (17) ◽  
pp. 5490
Author(s):  
Laura Monteiro ◽  
Raquel Cristina ◽  
Dídia Covas
Keyword(s):  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Irrigation System ◽  
Green Spaces ◽  
Water Supply Systems ◽  
Water Losses ◽  
Urban Green ◽  
Urban Green Spaces ◽  
Efficiency Measures ◽  
Water Scarce ◽  
The Impact

Urban green spaces can be intensive water and energy consumers in the cities, particularly in water scarce regions. Though a very efficient use of such resources is necessary, tools for assessing both water and energy consumption and efficiency are not available. In this paper, a new methodology based on water and energy balances is developed for assessing the water-use and energy efficiency in urban green spaces. The proposed balances, adapted from those developed for water supply systems, are specifically tailored for accounting for urban green spaces specificities, namely, landscape water requirements, other uses besides irrigation and over irrigation water losses. The methodology is demonstrated in two case studies of different nature and characteristics: a modern garden with a smart irrigation system and an urban park with traditional irrigation system. The results show that the developed water balances allow to estimate and assess the irrigation efficiency over the years and to assess the effectiveness of implemented water saving measures. The application of the water–energy balance demonstrates the impact of water efficiency measures on the energy efficiency of the irrigation systems. The proposed methodology can be used to assess water and water–energy efficiency in urban green spaces and to identify the most adequate improvement measures, contributing for a better management of the two resources in the cities.

scholarly journals Is the Qi experience related to the flow experience? Practicing qigong in urban green spaces

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. e0240180
Author(s):  
Shih-Han Hung ◽  
Ching-Yung Hwang ◽  
Chun-Yen Chang
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Methods ◽  
East Asian ◽  
Green Spaces ◽  
Flow Experience ◽  
Urban Green ◽  
Urban Green Spaces ◽  
High Level ◽  
The Mind ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Quantitative And Qualitative Methods

People experience a healthy energy gained from the environment and an inner feeling, called the Qi experience. The flow experience has been a popular topic in Western studies, especially within the fields of psychology and health, and in all kinds of activities. Our current study used quantitative and qualitative methods to analyze the relationship between the Qi experience and the flow experience. After collecting data using open-ended questions, we integrated and connected the Qi experience into five orientations: (1) the feeling of Qi; (2) the mind; (3) Qi and consciousness; (4) physical, mental, and spiritual benefits; and (5) the feeling of Tao. The results revealed a high level of consistency between the flow experience and the Qi experience (r = 0.90, p<0.00, which supports the conclusion that the concept of the flow experience in Qigong activity seems to be the same as that in East Asian disciplines, called the Qi experience.

scholarly journals Urban Green Space Fragmentation and Urbanization: A Spatiotemporal Perspective

Forests ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 333 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fangzheng Li ◽  
Wei Zheng ◽  
Yu Wang ◽  
Junhui Liang ◽  
Shuang Xie ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Patterns ◽  
Shape Index ◽  
Green Spaces ◽  
Rapid Urbanization ◽  
Urban Green ◽  
Urban Green Spaces ◽  
Geographically Weighted Regression Model ◽  
Nighttime Light Data ◽  
Green Areas ◽  
High Level

Urbanization leads to the occupation of green areas, directly contributing to a high level of fragmentation of urban green spaces, which, in turn, results in numerous socioeconomic and environmental problems. Consequently, an understanding of the relationships between patterns of urban green spaces and urbanization processes is essential. Although previous quantitative studies have examined this relationship, they have not included an exploration of spatial heterogeneities in the effects of urbanization on the spatial patterns of urban green areas. We therefore applied a spatiotemporal perspective to examine the above relationship, while considering the wider planning context. First, we quantified the extent of fragmentation of urban green spaces using landscape metrics comprising the largest patch index (LPI) and landscape shape index (LSI). Next, using the calculated spatial metrics and nighttime light data (NTL) for central Beijing for the period 1992–2016, we applied a geographically weighted regression model to assess variations in the spatiotemporal effects of urbanization on the fragmentation of urban green spaces. The results showed that urbanization initially occurred mainly in the northern parts of Beijing, whereas urbanization of southern urban fringe areas occurred after 2008. The reduction in green spaces along with increasing fragmentation and complex spatial patterns are indicative of issues relating to Beijing’s rapid urbanization and planning policies. This study contributes to an understanding of how urbanization influences fragmentation of urban green spaces and offers insights for the planning of urban green spaces from the perspective of promoting sustainability.

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