Topic 3 – THE USES AND THE USERS OF URBAN GREEN SPACES
People use green spaces in different ways, seek for different experiences and look for different facilities. The appropriation of the spaces by the population, their attitude towards green spaces, the user’s socio-structural characteristics and origin of the user groups are still today’s late-breaking topics. Knowledge on the motivation for the use of a green space, the perception on existing qualities also the current use and wishes for the future can deliver important facts to mitigate potential conflicts, adequate uses and equipments, implement revaluing measures, improve information offers and – not least – to provide a basis for the development of green space- strategies.
The appropriate possibility to enable users to properly make use of urban green spaces enhances the identity and develops the sense of property. Investing in creating good-quality green spaces can avoid anti-social behaviours? How can the design of green spaces enable a wide range of users and uses of green spaces?
Addressing issues have been:
• What are the challenges for urban green spaces, considering the trends of demographic and climate change (e.g. aging of society, environmental impacts)?
• How to involve the community continually and early in the process of green space development – experiences of the cities and researchers
• The building of a sustainable relationship within community groups and between city’s administration
• What uses and users can we expect in the future? How can urban green spaces be adapted for them?
• The involvement of ‘problem’ groups and the single-group dominance of public areas
• Different activities and facilities to ensure young people feel a sense of ownership. Address young people’s needs on open spaces
• Address needs of different user groups (young, elderly etc.)
• How to minimise the fear of crime and how to create places users feel safe
• Which lifestyles will be predominant and how can they be influenced by green spaces (requirements for mobility, meeting points, recreation, sports, etc.)?
We looked for concepts and ideas for understanding the different users groups and their requirements on green spaces, also for ideas for engaging different users and for the design, planning and maintenance of green spaces.
The appropriate possibility to enable users to properly make use of urban green spaces enhances the identity and develops the sense of property. Investing in creating good-quality green spaces can avoid anti-social behaviours? How can the design of green spaces enable a wide range of users and uses of green spaces?
Addressing issues have been:
• What are the challenges for urban green spaces, considering the trends of demographic and climate change (e.g. aging of society, environmental impacts)?
• How to involve the community continually and early in the process of green space development – experiences of the cities and researchers
• The building of a sustainable relationship within community groups and between city’s administration
• What uses and users can we expect in the future? How can urban green spaces be adapted for them?
• The involvement of ‘problem’ groups and the single-group dominance of public areas
• Different activities and facilities to ensure young people feel a sense of ownership. Address young people’s needs on open spaces
• Address needs of different user groups (young, elderly etc.)
• How to minimise the fear of crime and how to create places users feel safe
• Which lifestyles will be predominant and how can they be influenced by green spaces (requirements for mobility, meeting points, recreation, sports, etc.)?
We looked for concepts and ideas for understanding the different users groups and their requirements on green spaces, also for ideas for engaging different users and for the design, planning and maintenance of green spaces.