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This paper presents a summary of lessons learned from implementing the ecosystem services (ES) approach into urban planning practice in different European urban settings. We summarise a survey co-created with, and presented to, researchers and end-users in city administrations from ten European case study cities. To complement the expert analysis, 14 semi-structured interviews were conducted among stakeholders to assess the use of ES in practice in urban settings. There was strong agreement between scientists and practitioners on both the opportunities and the barriers to uptake the ES concept in urban planning practice. Key agreements were that the ES concept supports decision-making as well as spatial planning, it is most useful as a communication tool, and monetarisation and public pressure can be considered as promoting factors. Barriers are lack of evidence including case studies, standardised methods and criteria to evaluate nature and its benefits, lack of legislations/reform, limited capacity and reluctance to apply ES in planning practice, and limited public involvement. On individual aspects, such as the monetarisation of ES, views differed both among the scientists and the practitioners. Derived from our investigations we summarize in which circumstances the ES concept is most relevant and useful for urban planners and decision-makers.
K. Grunewald; O. Bastian; J. Louda; A. Arcidiacono; P. Brzoska; M. Bue; N.I. Cetin; C. Dworczyk; L. Dubova; A. Fitch; L. Jones; D. La Rosa; A. Mascarenhas; S. Ronchi; M.A. Schlaepfer; D. Sikorska; A. Tezer. Lessons learned from implementing the ecosystem services concept in urban planning. Ecosystem Services 2021, 49, 101273 .
AMA StyleK. Grunewald, O. Bastian, J. Louda, A. Arcidiacono, P. Brzoska, M. Bue, N.I. Cetin, C. Dworczyk, L. Dubova, A. Fitch, L. Jones, D. La Rosa, A. Mascarenhas, S. Ronchi, M.A. Schlaepfer, D. Sikorska, A. Tezer. Lessons learned from implementing the ecosystem services concept in urban planning. Ecosystem Services. 2021; 49 ():101273.
Chicago/Turabian StyleK. Grunewald; O. Bastian; J. Louda; A. Arcidiacono; P. Brzoska; M. Bue; N.I. Cetin; C. Dworczyk; L. Dubova; A. Fitch; L. Jones; D. La Rosa; A. Mascarenhas; S. Ronchi; M.A. Schlaepfer; D. Sikorska; A. Tezer. 2021. "Lessons learned from implementing the ecosystem services concept in urban planning." Ecosystem Services 49, no. : 101273.
The quality of life in our cities critically depends on the intelligent planning and shaping of urban living space, in particular urban nature. By providing a wide range of ecosystem services (ES), urban nature essentially contributes to the well-being of city dwellers and plays a major role in avoiding common diseases through its positive impact on physical and mental health. Health is one of the most important factors underlying human welfare and is, thus, vital to sustainable development. The ES of urban green space provide other social-cultural functions alongside public health, for example by fostering environmental justice and citizenship participation. Thus, they should always be considered when searching for solutions to urban problems. The aim of this research was to determine the impact of green areas in three selected cities on the health and well-being of people by self-reporting of green areas’ visitors. To this end, we posed the research question: which types and characteristics of urban green space are most appreciated by city dwellers? Based on our findings, we have drawn up recommendations for practices to promote better living conditions. We have also pinpointed obstacles to and opportunities for leisure time activities as well as ways of supporting the public health of citizens.
Ralf-Uwe Syrbe; Ina Neumann; Karsten Grunewald; Patrycia Brzoska; Jiři Louda; Birgit Kochan; Jan Macháč; Lenka Dubová; Petr Meyer; Jan Brabec; Olaf Bastian. The Value of Urban Nature in Terms of Providing Ecosystem Services Related to Health and Well-Being: An Empirical Comparative Pilot Study of Cities in Germany and the Czech Republic. Land 2021, 10, 341 .
AMA StyleRalf-Uwe Syrbe, Ina Neumann, Karsten Grunewald, Patrycia Brzoska, Jiři Louda, Birgit Kochan, Jan Macháč, Lenka Dubová, Petr Meyer, Jan Brabec, Olaf Bastian. The Value of Urban Nature in Terms of Providing Ecosystem Services Related to Health and Well-Being: An Empirical Comparative Pilot Study of Cities in Germany and the Czech Republic. Land. 2021; 10 (4):341.
Chicago/Turabian StyleRalf-Uwe Syrbe; Ina Neumann; Karsten Grunewald; Patrycia Brzoska; Jiři Louda; Birgit Kochan; Jan Macháč; Lenka Dubová; Petr Meyer; Jan Brabec; Olaf Bastian. 2021. "The Value of Urban Nature in Terms of Providing Ecosystem Services Related to Health and Well-Being: An Empirical Comparative Pilot Study of Cities in Germany and the Czech Republic." Land 10, no. 4: 341.
Urban gardening provides city dwellers with a wide range of benefits. Research dealing with the benefits of community gardens (CG) is often qualitative, focused on their founders’ motivations. The objective of our contemporary quantitative study is to understand why the inhabitants of Czech cities join CGs. The paper answers the research question: “What drivers exist for members’ participation in CGs?” It also deals with how the drivers of CG members differ across CGs’ locations in different urban structures. The data were obtained through an online survey from 28 CGs across Czechia, in both the capital and smaller cities. The importance of the different drivers was examined using statistical analysis and logit models. The research shows that the main motivation for the members is not crop production itself but, rather, the spending of leisure time, social contact and relaxation. Other key drivers include the passing on of experience and knowledge about nature to children, which is found mostly among the members with previous cultivation experience. Based on our results, CGs may contribute to the development of public life and to the improvement of public space; hence, the greater support by local decision makers or spatial planners can be justified.
Lenka Dubová; Jan Macháč; Alena Vacková. Food Provision, Social Interaction or Relaxation: Which Drivers Are Vital to Being a Member of Community Gardens in Czech Cities? Sustainability 2020, 12, 9588 .
AMA StyleLenka Dubová, Jan Macháč, Alena Vacková. Food Provision, Social Interaction or Relaxation: Which Drivers Are Vital to Being a Member of Community Gardens in Czech Cities? Sustainability. 2020; 12 (22):9588.
Chicago/Turabian StyleLenka Dubová; Jan Macháč; Alena Vacková. 2020. "Food Provision, Social Interaction or Relaxation: Which Drivers Are Vital to Being a Member of Community Gardens in Czech Cities?" Sustainability 12, no. 22: 9588.
Recent effects of globalization, urbanization and climate change have resulted in an increasing interest in the quality of life in cities and seeking pathways for its improvement. At the same time, there are changes in society and lifestyles that may challenge or facilitate these pathways. Community gardens (CGs) represent an effort to provide more sustainable urban economies, while reflecting on the public demand for cultivation of own crops. However, members of CGs may not perceive all the benefits that CGs provide for their surroundings. Using two case studied from Czechia (CG Kuchyňka and CG Vidimova in Prague) the aim of this paper is a comparison of the benefits perceived by community garden members and the evaluated net social benefits of community gardens in cities for all local residents. Through a questionnaire survey, the paper answers the research question of the benefits of community gardens perceived by community garden members. An economic assessment based on cost-benefit analysis was made to answer the question of the value of the net social benefits of community gardens in cities. Our comparison shows that the net social benefits are higher than perceived by their members. Net present benefits of EUR 31 550 for CG Kuchyňka and EUR 1 175 for CG Vidimova were quantified in a 50-year horizon. This economic analysis should contribute to greater support for community gardens by city governments and spatial planners.
Lenka Dubová; Jan Machac. Improving the quality of life in cities using community gardens: from benefits for members to benefits for all local residents. GeoScape 2019, 13, 68 -78.
AMA StyleLenka Dubová, Jan Machac. Improving the quality of life in cities using community gardens: from benefits for members to benefits for all local residents. GeoScape. 2019; 13 (1):68-78.
Chicago/Turabian StyleLenka Dubová; Jan Machac. 2019. "Improving the quality of life in cities using community gardens: from benefits for members to benefits for all local residents." GeoScape 13, no. 1: 68-78.