Planning urban green in island environments: The residents? perceptions of a Mediterranean city
Abstract
Veronika Andrea, Paraskevi Karanikola, Melpomeni-Eirini Karantoni, Chrisostomos Ioannou, Stilianos Tampakis
Urban green spaces are pivotal areas for human wellbeing holding a key role in maintaining mental and physical health for devastated urban environments. Their inclusion in climate mitigation strategies should be enhanced in Mediterranean urban cities. Parks and green infrastructures in densely populated areas should enhance the citizens’ quality of life and efficiently meet the standards of proper allocation, number, size, architectural design, and safety especially for children, maintenance of vegetation and accessibility. These features were investigated in the case study, from the residents’ perspective, in Paphos, Cyprus, and by the use of factor analysis and hierarchical log-linear analysis. The findings revealed a low performance of allocation and number of urban green spaces, which reasons their poor impacts on citizens’ wellbeing. The most significant identified problems are correlated with the presence of animals, unpleasant odours and noise pollution. Strategic improvements for decision makers and urban planning professionals are suggested.