IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jlands/v11y2022i6p822-d829241.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Human-Nature Interactions during and after the COVID-19 Pandemic in Moscow, Russia: Exploring the Role of Contact with Nature and Main Lessons from the City Responses

Author

Listed:
  • Diana Dushkova

    (Department of Urban and Environmental Sociology, Helmholtz-Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ), Permoser Str. 18, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
    Agrarian and Technological Institute, Peoples Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University), Miklukho-Maklaya Str. 8/2, 117198 Moscow, Russia)

  • Maria Ignatieva

    (School of Design, The University of Western Australia (UWA), 35 Stirling Highway, Perth 6009, Australia)

  • Anastasia Konstantinova

    (Agrarian and Technological Institute, Peoples Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University), Miklukho-Maklaya Str. 8/2, 117198 Moscow, Russia)

  • Viacheslav Vasenev

    (Soil Geography and Landscape Group, Wageningen University, 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands)

  • Elvira Dovletyarova

    (Agrarian and Technological Institute, Peoples Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University), Miklukho-Maklaya Str. 8/2, 117198 Moscow, Russia)

  • Yury Dvornikov

    (Agrarian and Technological Institute, Peoples Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University), Miklukho-Maklaya Str. 8/2, 117198 Moscow, Russia)

Abstract

Urban green spaces (UGS) as essential elements of the urban environment provide multiple ecosystem services including benefits for physical and mental health. Impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and related restrictions have influenced human relationships with nature. Based on empirical research, this article explores the pathways and implications of human-nature interactions during and after COVID-19 and how human health and well-being could be supported by contact with nature. The article discusses the reasons that attract people to visit UGS (value of UGS, their perceptions, ways of contact with urban nature, etc.). It also analyses the effects of social isolation on the usage and perception of UGS during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. The research revealed current needs for UGS and their role in adaptation of urban development and greening strategy. For this purpose, an online questionnaire survey among residents of Moscow was conducted in April–July of 2020 when restrictive measures were imposed in the city in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, non-participatory observations and photo documentation were used to supplement the data on UGS visitation and use. The GIS mapping method was applied to analyze the UGS provision (availability and accessibility of UGS). Moreover, expert interviews were conducted aiming to explore the implications of the COVID-19 pandemic on the urban fabric and life of the citizens. The aim was to reveal the main tendencies that can be used in the adaptation of urban development plans, especially regarding UGS and human-nature interactions. The results show that citizens (both survey respondents and experts) highly value urban nature as a tool for coping with COVID-19 challenges. They underlined a need for accessible UGS, most notably for breathing fresh air, reducing stress, relaxing, and observing and enjoying nature. The survey also revealed the particular health effects resulting from the reduction of UGS visitations due to COVID-19 restrictions. Several changes in human-nature interactions were also observed: many respondents especially missed spending time outdoors and meeting other people. That highlights the fact that while UGS normally provides places for social integration and socializing, during the COVID-19 isolation UGS were especially valued in regard to physical health and well-being (self-recovery). Both respondents and experts expressed their opinions regarding the future development of UGS network and how the UGS’s structure and design should be adapted to the current challenges. The claimed interests/preferences included the need for providing all residents equal access to UGS in a time of pandemics and post pandemics. A set of limitations and directions for future research of UGS was suggested.

Suggested Citation

  • Diana Dushkova & Maria Ignatieva & Anastasia Konstantinova & Viacheslav Vasenev & Elvira Dovletyarova & Yury Dvornikov, 2022. "Human-Nature Interactions during and after the COVID-19 Pandemic in Moscow, Russia: Exploring the Role of Contact with Nature and Main Lessons from the City Responses," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(6), pages 1-31, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:11:y:2022:i:6:p:822-:d:829241
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/11/6/822/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/11/6/822/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Oxana Klimanova & Olga Illarionova & Karsten Grunewald & Elena Bukvareva, 2021. "Green Infrastructure, Urbanization, and Ecosystem Services: The Main Challenges for Russia’s Largest Cities," Land, MDPI, vol. 10(12), pages 1-21, November.
    2. Hunter, Ruth F. & Christian, Hayley & Veitch, Jenny & Astell-Burt, Thomas & Hipp, J.Aaron & Schipperijn, Jasper, 2015. "The impact of interventions to promote physical activity in urban green space: A systematic review and recommendations for future research," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 124(C), pages 246-256.
    3. Marijana Pantić & Juaneé Cilliers & Guido Cimadomo & Fernando Montaño & Olusola Olufemi & Sally Torres Mallma & Johan van den Berg, 2021. "Challenges and Opportunities for Public Participation in Urban and Regional Planning during the COVID-19 Pandemic—Lessons Learned for the Future," Land, MDPI, vol. 10(12), pages 1-19, December.
    4. Mohammad Reza Khalilnezhad & Francesca Ugolini & Luciano Massetti, 2021. "Attitudes and Behaviors toward the Use of Public and Private Green Space during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Iran," Land, MDPI, vol. 10(10), pages 1-22, October.
    5. Venter, Zander & Barton, David & gundersen, vegard & Figari, Helene & Nowell, Megan, 2020. "Urban nature in a time of crisis: recreational use of green space increases during the COVID-19 outbreak in Oslo, Norway," SocArXiv kbdum, Center for Open Science.
    6. Teresa Graziano, 2021. "Smart Technologies, Back-to-the-Village Rhetoric, and Tactical Urbanism: Post-COVID Planning Scenarios in Italy," International Journal of E-Planning Research (IJEPR), IGI Global, vol. 10(2), pages 80-93, April.
    7. Diana Dushkova & Maria Ignatieva & Michael Hughes & Anastasia Konstantinova & Viacheslav Vasenev & Elvira Dovletyarova, 2021. "Human Dimensions of Urban Blue and Green Infrastructure during a Pandemic. Case Study of Moscow (Russia) and Perth (Australia)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(8), pages 1-24, April.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Luyang Chen & Lingbo Liu & Hao Wu & Zhenghong Peng & Zhihao Sun, 2022. "Change of Residents’ Attitudes and Behaviors toward Urban Green Space Pre- and Post- COVID-19 Pandemic," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(7), pages 1-16, July.
    2. Carolina Mayen Huerta & Ariane Utomo, 2022. "Barriers Affecting Women’s Access to Urban Green Spaces during the COVID-19 Pandemic," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(4), pages 1-18, April.
    3. LU, Yi & Zhao, Jianting & Wu, Xueying & Lo, Siu Ming, 2020. "Escaping to nature in pandemic: a natural experiment of COVID-19 in Asian cities," SocArXiv rq8sn, Center for Open Science.
    4. Ugolini, Francesca & Massetti, Luciano & Pearlmutter, David & Sanesi, Giovanni, 2021. "Usage of urban green space and related feelings of deprivation during the COVID-19 lockdown: Lessons learned from an Italian case study," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 105(C).
    5. Vita Žlender & Stefano Gemin, 2023. "Different Environments and Physical Activity before and during the COVID-19 Lockdown: Data from Slovenia," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(2), pages 1-21, January.
    6. Shiqi Wang & Ang Li, 2022. "Impacts of COVID-19 Lockdown on Use and Perception of Urban Green Spaces and Demographic Group Differences," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(11), pages 1-18, November.
    7. Yusuke Ueno & Sadahisa Kato & Tomoka Mase & Yoji Funamoto & Keiichi Hasegawa, 2022. "Human Flow Dataset Reveals Changes in Citizens’ Outing Behaviors including Greenspace Visits before and during the First Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Kanazawa, Japan," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(14), pages 1-14, July.
    8. Vishal Kumar & Aude Vuilliomenet, 2021. "Urban Nature: Does Green Infrastructure Relate to the Cultural and Creative Vitality of European Cities?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(14), pages 1-12, July.
    9. Bruno Marques & Jacqueline McIntosh & Chitrakala Muthuveerappan & Krzysztof Herman, 2022. "The Importance of Outdoor Spaces during the COVID-19 Lockdown in Aotearoa—New Zealand," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(12), pages 1-17, June.
    10. Tandarić, Neven & Ives, Christopher D. & Watkins, Charles, 2022. "From city in the park to “greenery in plant pots”: The influence of socialist and post-socialist planning on opportunities for cultural ecosystem services," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 120(C).
    11. Hui, Ling Chui & Jim, C.Y., 2022. "Urban-greenery demands are affected by perceptions of ecosystem services and disservices, and socio-demographic and environmental-cultural factors," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 120(C).
    12. Julian A. Reed & Rachel M. Ballard & Michael Hill & David Berrigan, 2020. "Identification of Effective Programs to Improve Access to and Use of Trails among Youth from Under-Resourced Communities: A Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(21), pages 1-33, October.
    13. Mingxin Liu & Chenxi Chen & Jiaqi Yan, 2023. "Identifying Park Spatial Characteristics That Encourage Moderate-to-Vigorous Physical Activity among Park Visitors," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-22, March.
    14. Evgenia Anastasiou & Stella Manika & Konstantina Ragazou & Ioannis Katsios, 2021. "Territorial and Human Geography Challenges: How Can Smart Villages Support Rural Development and Population Inclusion?," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 10(6), pages 1-15, May.
    15. Jing Shen & Jian Cui & Mengfei Li & Caitlin Vitosky Clarke & Yuanyuan Gao & Ruopeng An, 2021. "Green Space and Physical Activity in China: A Systematic Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(23), pages 1-21, December.
    16. Emad B. Dawwas & Karen Dyson, 2021. "COVID-19 Changed Human-Nature Interactions across Green Space Types: Evidence of Change in Multiple Types of Activities from the West Bank, Palestine," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(24), pages 1-21, December.
    17. Alexandra Jane Crossley & Alessio Russo, 2022. "Has the Pandemic Altered Public Perception of How Local Green Spaces Affect Quality of Life in the United Kingdom?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(13), pages 1-14, June.
    18. Mateusz Ciski & Krzysztof Rząsa, 2023. "Multiscale Geographically Weighted Regression in the Investigation of Local COVID-19 Anomalies Based on Population Age Structure in Poland," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(10), pages 1-23, May.
    19. Amer Habibullah & Nawaf Alhajaj & Ahmad Fallatah, 2022. "One-Kilometer Walking Limit during COVID-19: Evaluating Accessibility to Residential Public Open Spaces in a Major Saudi City," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(21), pages 1-16, October.
    20. Jongwng Ju & Jaecheol Kim, 2023. "Applying the Delphi Approach to Incorporate Voiceless Stakeholders in Community Planning," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(10), pages 1-23, October.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:11:y:2022:i:6:p:822-:d:829241. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.