The Role Of Urban Parks For TheSustainability Of Cities

Abstract

Increasing empirical evidence indicates that the presence of natural areas in urban contexts is very important for the quality of human life and the sustainability of cities. Besides the many environmental and ecological services, urban nature provides important social and psychological benefits to human societies, which enrich human life with meanings and emotions. The paper is part of an EU-funded Project aimed at investigating the intangible services of natural areas, and their immaterial benefits for human societies. Attention has been focused on urban nature, close to where people live and work. Public perceptions and attitudes have been explored among visitors of urban parks in three European cities: Amsterdam (The Netherlands), Paris (France) and Seville (Spain). Some results are reported here about i) people’s motives to visits nature, ii) the emotional dimension involved in the experience of nature and its importance for human well being, and iii) people’s satisfaction with the amount of green areas in their cities. Results confirm that the experience of nature in the urban environment is a source of positive feelings and beneficial services, which fulfill important immaterial human needs. These benefits are believed to improve the health and well being of individuals, and - consequently - the sustainability of the community at large.