Qualitative Exploration of Perception and Use of Cultural Ecosystem Services from Tree-Based Urban Green Space in the City of Zagreb (Croatia)

Abstract

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.

Who Are the Visitors of Forest Park Grmoščica and What Are Their Needs? Results of Quantitative Exploratory Survey

“…Recreation is often an underlying motivation for interaction with urban green spaces (Krajter Ostoić et al 2020a). Walking is universally the most common recreational activity in forests (Roovers et al 2002, Arnberger 2006, Gerstenberg et al 2020, Krajter Ostoić et al 2020a, Šodková et al 2020. Visiting Forest Park Grmoščica to spend quality family time was a priority activity for most respondents (Figure 2).…”

“…In Zagreb, qualitative research on the sample of citizens shows that they perceive various types of tree-based urban green space, especially forests and forest parks, as holders of different cultural ecosystem services, including recreation (Krajter Ostoić et al 2020a). The same research shows that forests provide more recreational opportunities than other types of urban green space, meaning that people reported more recreational activities they undertake in them.…”

Public Perceptions of Urban Green Spaces: Convergences and Divergences

“…Residents of urban areas often recognize the cumulative cultural environmental benefits that urban green spaces offer (Ostoić et al, 2020), but their perception and understanding of UGSs is more difficult to pinpoint. Studies from a range of countries on the perception of UGSs have identified several dominant factors that influence public perceptions (Tian et al, 2020).…”

“…Francis et al (2012) similarly found that both the quality of parks and the users' proximity to parks were significant to the development of a sense of community. In their study in the Croatian city of Zagreb, Ostoić et al (2020) found that the perceived qualities of UGSs, such as cultural ecosystem services (Sen and Guchhait, 2021) influenced the use of these spaces. Moreover, they found that positive memories of past (for example, childhood) experiences in natural environments, their perception of urban spaces in terms of beneficial aspects of UGSs (e.g., recreational facilities) and their emotional responses to nature are essential factors needed to support urban greening.…”

“…Barrera et al (2016), in their study in South America, mentioned other factors such as amenities, community attachment, social cohesion, and sense of security as those that influence peoples' appreciation for and use of UGSs. Ostoić et al (2020) investigated how residents perceive the cultural ecosystem services provided by different types of urban green spaces with trees. The authors found that place-based, aesthetic and recreational services were more widely recognized than the services related to educational and cultural identity.…”