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Residents’ Satisfaction with Green Spaces and Daily Life in Small Urban Settings: Romanian Perspectives

Author

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  • Mariana Cernicova-Buca

    (Department of Communication and Foreign Languages, Interdisciplinary Research Center for Communication and Sustainability (PoliCom), Politehnica University of Timisoara, 300006 Timisoara, Romania)

  • Vasile Gherheș

    (Department of Communication and Foreign Languages, Interdisciplinary Research Center for Communication and Sustainability (PoliCom), Politehnica University of Timisoara, 300006 Timisoara, Romania)

  • Ciprian Obrad

    (Department of Sociology, West University of Timișoara, 300223 Timisoara, Romania)

Abstract

The availability and accessibility of green spaces in urban settings are important factors in determining the sustainability of cities and the quality of urban life. However, the literature indicates a need for evidence-based data correlating green areas and perceived well-being in the city. This study focuses on a vignette study of the satisfaction with green spaces in a Romanian small urban setting that meets the standards of green space availability and accessibility proposed by the World Health Organization. The data obtained by applying a questionnaire to a sample of 600 residents highlight the appreciation of the local people for the characteristics, functions, and availability of urban green spaces. The study establishes statistically significant correlations between the general satisfaction with life and the distance in meters to the nearest park, between the general satisfaction with life and the distance in time to the nearest park, and between the distance in meters and the time spent in parks and green spaces. The results can be used to establish a participatory agenda for local authorities interested in gaining insight from residents for the future actions needed to develop green spaces and to provide them with the opportunity to reflect upon the correlations between outdoor activities in such spaces and people’s well-being in urban settings.

Suggested Citation

  • Mariana Cernicova-Buca & Vasile Gherheș & Ciprian Obrad, 2023. "Residents’ Satisfaction with Green Spaces and Daily Life in Small Urban Settings: Romanian Perspectives," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-19, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:12:y:2023:i:3:p:689-:d:1098551
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Zihan Cai & Sidong Zhao & Mengshi Huang & Congguo Zhang, 2023. "Evolution Model, Mechanism, and Performance of Urban Park Green Areas in the Grand Canal of China," Land, MDPI, vol. 13(1), pages 1-28, December.
    2. Filiz Çelik & Emmanuel Babatunde Jaiyeoba, 2023. "The Contributions of the Green Areas in Residence Immediate Environment on Quality of Urban Life," SAGE Open, , vol. 13(4), pages 21582440231, December.

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