Summary of the article 'A monitoring tool for the provision of accessible and attrative urban green spaces' by Ann van Herzele and Torsten Wiedemann.

Hi guys,

Here is a small summary of the article 'A monitoring tool for the provision of accessible and attrative urban green spaces' by Ann van Herzele and Torsten Wiedemann. The article is about the quality, accessibility and attrativeness of urban green in four cities in Flanders, Belgium. I hope that it will be informative to you! 

Yvette  

1. Introduction

Need for urban green: families tend to leave cities due to the lack of green space à urban sprawl. There is little attention for urban green in urban planning.

2. Concepts and definitions

Principles of urban green

-          Citizen-based

-          Functionality: ‘[G]reen spaces (…) aim[ed] to reflect the community’s needs.’ There are hierarchy systems for city neighborhood, a whole city etc.

-          Preconditions for use: (walking) distance, safety.

-          Variety of qualities: appreciation depends on culture, more visits when a green space has diverse facilities.  

-          Multiple use

Accessibility depends on mobility. Due to the fact that young children as well as handicapped or elderly people are less mobile, ‘small green spaces on the doorstep’ should be available.

Attractiveness depends on the relationships between elements in a landscape, park etc. As a result local surroundings should be taken into account:

-          Space: boundless green space.

-          Nature: connection to other organisms, variety in animals and plants.

-          Culture and history: social and cultural activities, landscape reflects its use.

-          Quietness: ‘soundscape’, people are longing for peaceful places. 

-          Facilities: supporting.

3. Study Area

Antwerp, Ghent (large cities), Aalst and Kortrijk (towns) are the cities included in this research. In the light of expansion, much open, green space is consumed.

4. Working procedure

Research done by observations of maps, in the field and by airplane. The study area consists of the urban core and 5 km of land around it. This can be split up into:

-          Urban Core: high density build areas. 

-          Green spaces: open spaces > 10 ha with biological value, sometimes fragmentized. 

-          Barriers: mainly infrastructure.   

-          Crosswalks: barriers mostly overcome.

The accessibility was computed by means of different maps in which green spaces, barriers and crosswalks were visualized. Attractiveness was measured by parameters of space, nature, culture and history, quietness and facilities.

5. Results

There are differences in availability of green spaces in the four cities.

a)      Due to the fact that Antwerp has a ring within the city centre, many green spaces can be found around and close to the city. Compared to the other cities, that have a ring much further away from the city centre, the quietness of the landscape is disturbed;  

b)      All of the cities: barriers to quarter green which is a problem;

c)       Kortrijk, green spaces only available outside the core city;

d)      There are differences in availability of green spaces within a city;

e)      Quietness is difficult to pursue;

f)       Building zones in plans reduce the availability of open, green space.

6. Discussion

      Indicators do not always give a complete overview, however adding more indicators would complicate the model. This undesirable as the model has to be an easy way of communicating about urban green;

      Values that are used with measuring attractiveness in a place vary, to solve this problem averages have been applied;

      Barriers are not impossible to overcome;

      Study uses simplifications;

      ‘Quality of the green spaces will’ be more important in futuristic urban planning, however ‘urban density’ absorbs the green spaces.