Understanding Urban Residents’ Perceptions of Street Trees to Develop Sustainable Maintenance Guidelines in the Seoul Metropolitan Area, Korea

Abstract

Street trees play a crucial role in improving urban environments, and their management depends on the perceptions and preferences of urban residents. This study surveyed 884 urban residents’ preferences and perceptions towards street trees in a metropolitan area in Korea and proposed guidelines for their sustainable management. Urban residents were aware of the presence of street trees based on visual changes and were generally satisfied with their shape, size, and growth. They preferred trees that provide environmental and ecological services, such as offering shade, purifying the air, and preserving the ecosystem, while viewing the generation of debris from street trees as the most significant problem. Urban residents’ perspectives on street tree preference and issues varied based on age, income, and housing type. Although urban residents acknowledged the need for the maintenance and management of street trees, they believed that this was the responsibility of central and local governments, not local residents. Collectively, the residents had a positive view of urban street trees and believed that maintenance and management are necessary to address problems caused by their presence. Our research findings provide valuable information to help city and landscaping experts select street tree species and establish maintenance and management strategies.

Determinants of spatial distribution of trees outside forests along urban-rural gradients: A review

“…The studies reviewed indicate that the presence and management of trees in urban and rural areas largely depend on the attitudes and perceptions of residents (Danquah, 2023;Di Cristofaro et al, 2020;Jeong et al, 2023;Rašković & Decker, 2015), as shown at Table 5. For instance, most respondents prefer natural landscapes with high levels of tree cover and dislike urban and rural areas with no trees (Di Cristofaro et al, 2020).…”

“…In rural areas, people perceive tree benefits based on their ecosystem services (Bhebhe et al, 2023;Chauhan & Dogra, 2016;Chukwumaucheya, 2012;Sibelet et al, 2017). For example, farmers are more inclined towards tree species with large canopies, which increase the potential for providing ecosystem services such as air temperature regulation, erosion control, and wind- (Danquah, 2023;Drew-Smythe et al, 2023;Jeong et al, 2023;Paniotova-Maczka et al, 2021;Saldarriaga et al, 2020) Variation in the level of recognition and attitudes towards tree services and disservices Variation in tree preference, hence a variation in the species composition, diversity and distribution of TOF…”

“…Inconsistent results (Anglaaere et al, 2011;Arabomen et al, 2020;Basu et al, 2022;Bhebhe et al, 2023;Blanco et al, 2020;Chukwumaucheya, 2012;Collins et al, 2019;Deng et al, 2017;Di Cristofaro et al, 2020;Dorresteijn et al, 2017;Drew-Smythe et al, 2023;Fernandes et al, 2018;Gwedla & Shackleton, 2019;Jeong et al, 2023;Kičić et al, 2022;Kloster et al, 2021;Lamichhane & Thapa, 2012;Locke et al, 2015;Malik et al, 2021;Olive et al, 2013;Olivero-Lora et al, 2020;Pati et al, 2022;Rae et al, 2011;Rašković & Decker, 2015;Saldarriaga et al, 2020;Sambou et al, 2017;Smith & Sullivan, 2014;Speak & Salbitano, 2021;Suchocka et al, 2019;Wei et (Basu et al, 2022;Blanco et al, 2020;Collins et al, 2019;Dainese et al, 2017;Kičić et al, 2022;Ng et al, 2015;Saldarriaga et al, 2020;Sebek et al, 2016;Sibelet et al, 2017;Zhang et al, 2020) b. Provisioning value of tre...…”

“…Inconsistent results (Dilley & Wolf, 2013;Drew-Smythe et al, 2023;Etshekape et al, 2018;Gerstenberg & Hofmann, 2016;Ngabinzeke et al, 2021) Attitude towards the geographic origin of trees, i.e. whether native or exotic Influence the species choice for TOF Positive/n egative Variable results (Almas & Conway, 2018;Kirkpatrick et al, 2012) breaking (Arabomen et al, 2020;Blanco et al, 2020;Chukwumaucheya, 2012;Danquah, 2023;Ferreira et al, 2021;Hui & Jim, 2022;Isaifan & Baldauf, 2020;Jeong et al, 2023;Jim et al, 2021;Jones et al, 2013;Leets et al, 2022;Malik et al, 2021;Moffat, 2016;Sibelet et al, 2017).…”

“…Although some studies suggest that tree species richness may be higher in cities than natural forests (Gillespie et al, 2017), the relationship between urbanization and plant diversity has not been adequately explored (M. . Nevertheless, there is growing interest in Trees Outside Forests (TOF), their diversity, distribution, and relationship with urbanization factors (Abdulmalik et al, 2020;Bourne & Conway, 2014;Chauhan & Dogra, 2016;Chukwumaucheya, 2012;Di Cristofaro et al, 2020;Jeong et al, 2023). Therefore, the urban-rural paradigm is a useful model for studying the effects of urbanization on plant communities.…”