Abstract
Urbanization rate in Central America is the second fastest worldwide and its major cities face challenges regarding urban sustainability. Urban Green Fabric (UGF) is an important material condition for the urban quality of life and, therefore, key to planning processes. We performed an analysis of the UGF of Guatemala City including the identification and classification of UGF, their spatial pattern analysis, construction of ensembles of districts (zones) and revealing citizen’s interactions with UGF. We used remote sensing and land use mapping techniques, spatial metrics and a questionnaire survey. Main results are the UGF map of Guatemala City and six ensembles of zones based on a set of indicators. We further revealed citizens’ recognition of green spaces, their perceptions about green space amount and availability as well as their support for UGF future interventions. Finally, we discuss the implications for planning promoted by our results and suggest three actions for UGF sustainability: Creation of new green spaces, protecting existing green spaces and enhancing the mosaic with different green spaces types. UGF is an essential decision support tool for a diversity of actors.
Highlights
The rate of urbanization in Central America is the second fastest in the world [1].At present, Central American nations exhibit an increase in urban population reflected in positive average annual rate of change for the period 2015–2020
The analysis of the Urban Green Fabric of Guatemala City shows that 44% of the city is covered with vegetation and the main primary land uses are Protective and Residential
We contributed with information about preferences and perceptions of Urban Green Fabric (UGF), which are scant in the region [92]
Summary
The rate of urbanization in Central America is the second fastest in the world [1].At present, Central American nations exhibit an increase in urban population reflected in positive average annual rate of change for the period 2015–2020. Nations [2] the lowest are Nicaragua (1.45%), El Salvador (1.57%) and Costa Rica (1.95%), followed by Panamá (2.06%) and Belize (2.32%) and the highest, Guatemala (2.68%) and Honduras (2.75%). These cities face challenges such as overcoming social exclusion, minimizing vulnerability to extreme natural events and boosting economic opportunities [1]. GDP (78%), (2) a negative impact on the nations’ environments and (3) a high degree of concentration of political decisions [3] This pattern could be explained because capitals can provide better job opportunities and living conditions, as well as better access to basic services [4]. They have experienced extreme social inequalities and violence between civilians since the end of 20th century [5]
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