Understanding intersections of sense of place and other influencing factors in decisions to utilise urban green spaces within Hatfield and surrounding areas

Abstract

Urban areas are characterised by various aspects, predominantly consisting of the built environment. Urban green spaces provide some contrast with their naturalness for those within these urbanised areas, such as parks, and are essential for recreation and well-being. However, these spaces are often neglected and under-maintained, affecting their appearance. This research project aimed to identify relationships between factors of urban green spaces and their use. The research objectives were to identify key policy and regulatory directives, to capture and assess the nature of influencing factors in decision-making to utilise parks, to evaluate the nature of intersections between cultural ecosystem services, green space attributes, and sense of place, and to provide recommendations based on the findings to inform more inclusive urban green space utilisation and planning. Hatfield and its immediate surrounding area within the City of Tshwane was the case study area. A mixed method approach involving quantitative and qualitative tools was applied, underpinned by critical realism and a systems approach. The results show that some cultural ecosystem services, most urban green space attributes, and the two sense of place components intersect with park visit frequency. However, the results further show that cultural ecosystem services, urban green space attributes, and sense of place share much more relationships, especially when between cultural ecosystem services and sense of place. What the results mean for practice, is that safety, cleanliness, recreation value service, aesthetic value service and social relations value service facilitation should be focussed on to improve the park use experience for current and non-users of parks. In formulating UGS policy and planning, a systems approach should be considered as it may enable the identification of areas that can be addressed simultaneously, ensuring a more efficient budget allocation. The research project shows just how complex and interconnected the intersections between influencing factors and park use are, but also how interconnected the influencing factors are between themselves. Despite that the systems approach greatly assisted in shaping an understanding of how influencing factors intersect with one another and with park use, reductionism was almost unavoidable in discussing some of the intersections between park use and the influencing factors, but also between the influencing factors themselves. Future research should consider combining sense of place theory and other factors, such as cultural ecosystem services or physical attributes of a place, whilst noting that a systems approach, even though complex, can have reductionistic outcomes. Longitudinal studies, capturing park dynamics and perceptions of parks, should enable a more detailed understanding of how changes in the environment relate to changes in perception and behaviour.