scholarly journals Attitudes and Behaviors toward the Use of Public and Private Green Space during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Iran

Land ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 1085
Author(s):  
Mohammad Reza Khalilnezhad ◽  
Francesca Ugolini ◽  
Luciano Massetti
Keyword(s):  
Green Space ◽  
Urban Landscape ◽  
Landscape Planning ◽  
Green Spaces ◽  
Connection To Nature ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Public And Private ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Private And Public ◽  
Positive Feelings

This paper reports the results of an exploratory study carried out in Birjand, Iran, during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of the study was to explore the behavioral change in the use and the motivation to visit a green space (public or private) during the pandemic as compared to the pre-pandemic period, the effect of green spaces (private and public) on users’ feelings, the relations between the extent to which the access to green spaces was missed, and characteristics of respondents and the place they live. A survey was carried out through an online questionnaire in winter 2020 and about 400 responses were collected. The results showed a decrease in visitation of public green spaces during the pandemic, and higher visitation of private green spaces such as gardens or courtyards by those with access. In addition, both public and private green spaces enhance positive feelings and decrease the negative ones. Respondents missed access to green spaces, especially when their visitation before the pandemic was high, and women missed them more than men. Therefore, private green spaces might represent an opportunity for psychological respite in time of a pandemic, but also for socialization. The study reports respondents’ useful suggestions for urban landscape planning for the city of Birjand that might also be useful for other cities in dry lands; improving the quality of green spaces beyond the quantity may play a role in enhancing the connection to nature in the time of a pandemic, with positive effects on mental health, and this can also can improve recreation opportunities and reduce inequalities.

scholarly journals Is Brief Exposure to Green Space in School the Best Option to Improve Attention in Children?

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (14) ◽  
pp. 7484
Author(s):  
Asier Anabitarte ◽  
Gonzalo García-Baquero ◽  
Ainara Andiarena ◽  
Nerea Lertxundi ◽  
Nerea Urbieta ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
School Children ◽  
Green Space ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Statistical Design ◽  
Green Spaces ◽  
Attention Network Test ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Gender Biases ◽  
Before And After

The positive effects of Green Spaces on health are thought to be achieved through the mechanisms of mitigation, instoration and restoration. One of the benefits of Green Spaces may be the restoration of attention and so the objective of this research is testing empirically whether exposure to a green environment improves attention in school children. For so doing, we first used a split-unit statistical design in each of four schools, then combined the primary results via meta-analysis. The Attention Network Test (ANT) was used to measure attention before and after exposure and a total of 167 seven-year-old students participated in the experiments. Overall, our experimental results do not support the hypothesis that students’ exposure to activities in green vs. grey spaces affected their performance in ANT. This was so despite the fact that neither age nor gender biases have been detected and despite that our experiments have been proved to be sufficiently statistically powerful. It would be advisable to consider air pollution and noise. We also recommend that participants attend the experiment with mental exhaustion to maximize the ability to detect significant changes.

Where do the children play? An objective analysis of children’s use of green space

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nadia Freeman ◽  
Ryan Gage ◽  
Tim Chambers ◽  
Paul Blaschke ◽  
Hera Cook ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Leisure Time ◽  
Green Space ◽  
Objective Assessment ◽  
Space Use ◽  
Green Spaces ◽  
Objective Analysis ◽  
Public And Private ◽  
Physically Active ◽  
Wearable Cameras ◽  
Objective Research

Summary Green space is important for health, yet, objective research on children’s use of green space is sparse. This study aimed to objectively assess children’s use of green space in both public and private settings during their summer leisure time, using wearable cameras. Images from cameras worn by 74 children were analysed for green space use over 4 days. Children spent an average of ∼1/10 h of leisure time in green space in the summer months, were physically active 68%, and with others 85%, of the time. Green spaces are important places for children’s health because they are places they frequent and places where they are physically active and socialize. Wearable cameras provide an effective method for objective assessment of green space use.

scholarly journals Spatial Analysis of Surface Urban Heat Islands in Four Rapidly Growing African Cities

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (14) ◽  
pp. 1645 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matamyo Simwanda ◽  
Manjula Ranagalage ◽  
Ronald C. Estoque ◽  
Yuji Murayama
Keyword(s):  
Urban Heat Island ◽  
Green Space ◽  
Urban Landscape ◽  
Impervious Surface ◽  
Green Spaces ◽  
Heat Island ◽  
Impervious Surfaces ◽  
African Cities ◽  
Urban Rural ◽  
Urban Heat

Africa’s unprecedented, uncontrolled and unplanned urbanization has put many African cities under constant ecological and environmental threat. One of the critical ecological impacts of urbanization likely to adversely affect Africa’s urban dwellers is the urban heat island (UHI) effect. However, UHI studies in African cities remain uncommon. Therefore, this study attempts to examine the relationship between land surface temperature (LST) and the spatial patterns, composition and configuration of impervious surfaces/green spaces in four African cities, Lagos (Nigeria), Nairobi (Kenya), Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) and Lusaka (Zambia). Landsat OLI/TIRS data and various geospatial approaches, including urban–rural gradient, urban heat island intensity, statistics and urban landscape metrics-based techniques, were used to facilitate the analysis. The results show significantly strong correlation between mean LST and the density of impervious surface (positive) and green space (negative) along the urban–rural gradients of the four African cities. The study also found high urban heat island intensities in the urban zones close (0 to 10 km) to the city center for all cities. Generally, cities with a higher percentage of the impervious surface were warmer by 3–4 °C and vice visa. This highlights the crucial mitigating effect of green spaces. We also found significant correlations between the mean LST and urban landscape metrics (patch density, size, shape, complexity and aggregation) of impervious surfaces (positive) and green spaces (negative). The study revealed that, although most African cities have relatively larger green space to impervious surface ratio with most green spaces located beyond the urban footprint, the UHI effect is still evident. We recommend that urban planners and policy makers should consider mitigating the UHI effect by restoring the urban ecosystems in the remaining open spaces in the urban area and further incorporate strategic combinations of impervious surfaces and green spaces in future urban and landscape planning.

scholarly journals Strategies to Improve Sustainability in Urban Landscape, Literature Review

2016 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 5-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mehdi Rakhshandehroo ◽  
Mohd Johari Mohd Yusof ◽  
Roozbeh Arabi ◽  
Rasul Jahandarfard
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Environmental Economic ◽  
Urban Planning ◽  
Literature Review ◽  
Urban Development ◽  
Urban Environment ◽  
Green Space ◽  
Urban Landscape ◽  
Green Spaces ◽  
Urban Greening

Abstract Decreasing green spaces is a significant concern in today’s compact cities while they provide various dimensions of sustainability; therefore, sustainable development has become the key idea to solve a series of environmental, economic and social problems. Because urban green space can be seen from different distinct disciplinary perspectives, this study reviews theories and material based on multidisciplinary and transdisciplinary approaches. Urban development and renewal should be accompanied by a green vision, to insert more plantable spaces into the urban environment. Therefore, sustainable urban planning, design and management are needed to improve urban greening by innovative and creative strategies.

scholarly journals Urban Resident Views About Open Green Spaces: A Study in Güzelyurt (Morphou), Cyprus

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 441-450
Author(s):  
Sinem Yıldırım ◽  
Buket Asilsoy ◽  
Özge Özden
Keyword(s):  
User Satisfaction ◽  
Green Space ◽  
Urban Landscape ◽  
Community Gardens ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Green Spaces ◽  
Demographic Shift ◽  
Open Spaces ◽  
Island Effect ◽  
Green Areas

A dramatic demographic shift regarding urbanization is occurring globally. Between 2000 and 2050, the ratio of individuals in urban spaces is projected to rise from 46.6 % to 69.6%. Environmental pollution, urban heat island effect and climate change are among the hazardous effects of urbanization. Critical ecosystem services can be provided with urban green areas such as parks, roof gardens, streams, forests and community gardens etc. Walking, running or biking activities, psychological well-being and public health of urban inhabitants can also be supported via green space. Urban landscape areas are also significant for Cyprus as there is an on-going remarkable urbanization. Particularly, due to urbanization, the importance of green spaces in cities is becoming important. During this study, open and green space as urban landscape areas in Güzelyurt (Morphou) was investigated. This is the first study to examine user satisfaction and views of open and green spaces in Güzelyurt (Morphou) region, Cyprus. A questionnaire with 60 participants were conducted in order to understand respondents’ suggestions about several aspects of existing open and green spaces in Güzelyurt, north Cyprus. According to the findings, respondents were mostly dissatisfied about urban and open spaces in the city. Our results indicate that local authorities or municipal organizations should legalize the planning of urban parks, open spaces and green areas with long term perspective.  Keywords: Urbanization, Green space, urban park, landscape, Güzelyurt, Cyprus

scholarly journals DIFFERENCE IN PERCEPTION OF URBAN GREEN SPACES BETWEEN DANCHI AND APARTMENT RESIDENTS IN TOKIWADAIRA, MATSUDO CITY, JAPAN (Perbedaan dalam Persepsi Ruang Hijau Perkotaan di antara Penghuni Kompleks Rumah Susun dan Apartemen di Tokiwadaira, Kota Matsudo, Jepang)

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 80
Author(s):  
Prita Indah Pratiwi ◽  
Minseo Kim ◽  
Katsunori Furuya
Keyword(s):  
Elderly People ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Local Governments ◽  
Green Space ◽  
Landscape Planning ◽  
Green Spaces ◽  
Survey Analysis ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Urban Green ◽  
Urban Green Spaces

AbstractIn Japan, where most of the population now comprises elderly people, various social problems have emerged, including lack of workers, inadequate care for elderly people, lower birthrate, the abandonment of local areas, and lack of community. In highly populated urban areas, city planners propose sustainable landscape planning but sometimes ignore the public, eliminating their sense of place. This study aimed to clarify the differences in green space perception between residents of danchi and apartments in Tokiwadaira, Matsudo, to learn what residents’ attributes may influence their perceptions, and to formulate factors of recognition and awareness of urban green spaces. The research was conducted in three stages: a recognition and awareness survey, analysis, and interpretation. A Mann-Whitney U test and Welch’s t test were applied to examine significant differences in perception level; a Chi-square test was applied to examine the relationship between residents’ attributes and volunteering activity; finally, factor analysis was applied to characterize residents’ recognition and awareness of nature and green spaces. The results demonstrated three significant differences regarding the benefits of green spaces between danchi and apartment residents, and five significant differences in their interest in green spaces. The attributes influencing danchi residents’ perceptions were gender and age, while those influencing apartment residents were age, existence of children, employment status, length of stay, and existence of green spaces. The three factors accounting for residents’ interest in green spaces and nature were: high recognition and awareness, moderate recognition and awareness, and low recognition and awareness. The results may prove useful as guidance for specific local governments in relation to urban green space planning and design. AbstrakDi Jepang di mana sebagian besar penduduknya terdiri atas orang lanjut usia, berbagai masalah sosial telah terjadi, seperti kurangnya tenaga kerja, perawatan bagi orang lanjut usia yang rendah, kelahiran anak-anak yang rendah, terabaikannya daerah setempat, dan kurangnya komunitas. Di daerah perkotaan yang berpenduduk padat, perencana kota mengusulkan perencanaan lanskap berkelanjutan, tetapi terkadang mengabaikan publik dan menghilangkan makna tempat mereka. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk memperjelas perbedaan persepsi ruang hijau antara penghuni di kompleks rumah susun semi publik dan apartemen di Tokiwadaira, Matsudo, untuk mengetahui atribut penghuni yang dapat mempengaruhi persepsi mereka, dan untuk merumuskan faktor-faktor pengenalan dan kesadaran akan ruang hijau perkotaan. Penelitian ini dilakukan dalam tiga tahap: survei kesadaran dan pengenalan, analisis, dan interpretasi. Uji Mann-Whitney U dan Welch's t digunakan untuk menguji perbedaan level persepsi yang signifikan antara penghuni danchi dan apartemen. Uji Chi-square digunakan untuk menguji hubungan antara atribut penghuni dan kegiatan sukarela, terakhir analisis faktor digunakan untuk mengkarakterisasi pengenalan dan kesadaran penghuni terhadap alam dan ruang hijau. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa terdapat tiga perbedaan signifikan mengenai manfaat ruang hijau di antara penghuni danchi dan apartemen, dan lima perbedaan signifikan terhadap minat ruang hijau. Atribut yang mempengaruhi persepsi penduduk danchi adalah gender dan usia, sedangkan hal-hal yang mempengaruhi penghuni apartemen adalah usia, keberadaan anak, status pekerjaan, lama tinggal, dan keberadaan ruang hijau. Tiga faktor yang menentukan minat penghuni terhadap alam dan ruang hijau di antaranya: pengenalan dan kesadaran yang tinggi, pengenalan dan kesadaran yang sedang, serta pengenalan dan kesadaran yang rendah. Hasil penelitian ini dapat berguna sebagai panduan perencanaan dan desain ruang hijau kota untuk pemerintah lokal.

scholarly journals Opening the Door for Wider Application of the Tourism Area Life Cycle Model with Application to the Rietvlei Nature Reserve, Tshwane, South Africa

2020 ◽  
pp. 912-929
Author(s):  
Anna E de Jager ◽  
Melanie D Nicolau
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Green Space ◽  
Nature Reserve ◽  
Urban Landscape ◽  
Urban Green Space ◽  
Green Spaces ◽  
Conservation Area ◽  
Urban Green ◽  
Urban Green Spaces

In this paper, the Tourist Area Life Cycle (TALC) model was adapted for application to an urban green space that is not necessarily a tourist destination. Important components of the TALC model, such as carrying capacity, critical life cycle points and a variety of scenarios relevant to urban green spaces that do not primarily have a tourism focus were considered in the development of an adapted model that could be of value in the management of a variety of functions in such spaces. A case study approach was followed, in which the model was applied to the Rietvlei Nature Reserve in Tshwane (South Africa). The functions and benefits of the Rietvlei Nature Reserve include the protection of a portion of the Highland grassland biome with the associated biodiversity, recreation, opportunities for environmental education research, and water provisioning to the City of Tshwane. Qualitative and quantitative data were collected through observation, individual interviews, focus groups and questionnaires, with a total of 558 respondents. The data included primary and secondary sources, and the researchers’ own observations. The management of a variety of ecosystem services provided by the conservation area and surrounding urban landscape plays an important role in the life cycle of this urban green space. The value of this study lies in demonstrating that an adaptation of the TALC model can be of value in the sustainable management of the ecological services that urban green spaces provide to urban dwellers.

Study on Ecological Approach of Urban Green Space Based on Low Carbon Idea

2014 ◽  
Vol 955-959 ◽  
pp. 4025-4028
Author(s):  
Chen Gu Hua Fu
Keyword(s):  
Green Space ◽  
Urban Landscape ◽  
Landscape Planning ◽  
Global Climate ◽  
Low Carbon ◽  
Rapid Urbanization ◽  
Regional Sustainable Development ◽  
City Construction ◽  
Low Carbon City ◽  
Planning And Construction

The sharp degradation of urban ecological environment resulted from global climate change and rapid urbanization has become an important affecting factor of regional sustainable development. Low carbon city is a considerable countermeasure to solve this problem. Being an important part of low carbon city construction, low carbon urban landscape has attracted increasing interests from city managers and planners. The strategy of the low carbon urban landscape development was discussed from an ecological perspective, and the strategies of low-carbon urban landscape planning and construction were proposed, in order to provide practical reference for planning and construction of low-carbon city and low-carbon urban landscape. These strategies included selecting plant varieties, improving plant community structure, optimizing spatial structure of green space, constructing low maintenance green space, and synthesis utilization of water resources etc.

scholarly journals Comparison On Sustainable Urban Landscape Management: Insight From Urban Green Space Governance In England, Malaysia And Singapore

2019 ◽  
Vol 266 ◽  
pp. 06006
Author(s):  
Faiza Darkhani ◽  
Osman Mohd Tahir ◽  
Roziya Ibrahi
Keyword(s):  
Best Management Practices ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Green Space ◽  
Urban Landscape ◽  
Landscape Management ◽  
Urban Green Space ◽  
Green Spaces ◽  
Urban Green ◽  
Urban Green Spaces ◽  
Proper Management

In order to achieve high-quality urban landscape management, it is important to have a proper management system. Some developing countries are facing a decline of green spaces due to lack of proper management. This paper aims to identify best management practices and provide a comparison regarding the governance of urban landscape management in the context of three countries: England, Malaysia and Singapore. It also highlights the importance of establishing more appropriate programs in order to achieve the goal of sustainability. The findings show that good and proper planning as well as programs and activities in the local government system can enhance and increase urban green space in a landscape. The contribution of this paper is to increase the local authority’s knowledge of managing the landscape and decreasing the deterioration and decline of urban green spaces in a landscape.

scholarly journals What Characteristics of Urban Green Spaces and Recreational Activities Do Self-Reported Stressed Individuals Like? A Case Study of Baoji, China

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (8) ◽  
pp. 1348 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tian Gao ◽  
Rui Song ◽  
Ling Zhu ◽  
Ling Qiu
Keyword(s):  
Green Space ◽  
Leisure Activities ◽  
Green Spaces ◽  
Stress Recovery ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
Social Dimensions ◽  
Urban Green ◽  
Urban Green Spaces ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Restorative Environment

Several studies have revealed the positive effects of green space and certain activities on counteracting the physical and mental pressure felt by human beings. However, how self-reported stressed people perceive restorative green spaces, their preferences for specific characteristics and activities, and what characteristics of urban green space can induce various types of activities for stress recovery has not been fully examined in the high-density cities of China. Using an on-site questionnaire survey conducted in the People’s Park (PP) in Baoji, China, this study is the first to consider the relationship among eight sensory dimensions, activity types and stress recovery in Chinese green space. Results showed that the highest-stressed respondents were more likely to spend their time in multi-layered woodlands adjacent to water, with more experiences of serene but less about prospect. They preferred serene dimension more, while the culture and social dimensions were least preferred. Sports and leisure activities and quiet activities were the most popular among highest-stressed respondents, which were positively related to the serene and nature dimensions, respectively. Results suggested that the most restorative environment for stress recovery can be regarded as multi-layered woodlands adjacent to water with more serene and nature, less prospect and few or no culture and social dimensions.

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