Uses, attitudes and perceptions of urban green spaces according to the sociodemographic profile: An exploratory analysis in Spain

Abstract

This exploratory work analyzes the uses and attitudes of a sample of Spanish population towards urban green spaces (UGS), through a questionnaire that reviews aspects such as the perception they have before and during the Covid-19 pandemic. The identification of profiles related to fear in UGS at night and the degree of user acceptance regarding services and disservices of these spaces will also be analyzed. Results show that the pandemic had a significant impact on the type of UGS visited and the activities carried out in them, due to the strict measures adopted by the government to manage the crisis, which included the closure of UGS. The segmentation analysis developed to assess the socio-demographic profile of fear revealed that women under 40 years old are the most highly likely to be afraid due to darkness, loneliness or insecurity. Regarding the degree of acceptance, the confirmatory-factor analysis established different clusters according to the favorability towards UGS, rejection of the disservices caused by trees and intensity of the demand for the administration to carry out its functions. This analysis provides relevant information to be attended when rethinking and redesigning urban green spaces so that they accommodate the real needs of the population.