<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
<p>Crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic challenge some established human-landscape interactions notably. In this article, we analyse whether the pandemic had an impact on the perception of urban green spaces (UGS) and usage behaviours in Leipzig, Germany. We use a quantitative survey to understand people’s attitudes. Our study is novel in that it firstly explores the relationship between UGS and visitors during the final phase of the COVID-19 pandemic (winter 2022/2023), contrary to the vast majority of already existing studies that relied on digitally distributed surveys due to the lockdown protocols. Secondly our study does not apply exclusively online methods to reach out to the participants. The survey results show that about 40% (of the 115 participants) use parks more frequently during the final phase of the COVID-19 pandemic compared to before 2020. Characteristics such as proximity to home, naturalness and cleanliness have become the most relevant. We see a notable increase in the demand for secure public green spaces, particularly among female visitors. Every second respondent confirmed experiencing considerable difficulties when accessing UGS, revealing the existing (spatial) deficits in environmental justice. These results should be considered by urban planners to adapt UGS to the changing demands of the citizens.</p>
</abstract>

Crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic challenge some established human-landscape interactions notably. In this article, we analyse whether the pandemic had an impact on the perception of urban green spaces (UGS) and usage behaviours in Leipzig, Germany. We use a quantitative survey to understand people’s attitudes. Our study is novel in that it firstly explores the relationship between UGS and visitors during the final phase of the COVID-19 pandemic (winter 2022/2023), contrary to the vast majority of already existing studies that relied on digitally distributed surveys due to the lockdown protocols. Secondly our study does not apply exclusively online methods to reach out to the participants. The survey results show that about 40% (of the 115 participants) use parks more frequently during the final phase of the COVID-19 pandemic compared to before 2020. Characteristics such as proximity to home, naturalness and cleanliness have become the most relevant. We see a notable increase in the demand for secure public green spaces, particularly among female visitors. Every second respondent confirmed experiencing considerable difficulties when accessing UGS, revealing the existing (spatial) deficits in environmental justice. These results should be considered by urban planners to adapt UGS to the changing demands of the citizens.

COVID-19 pandemic and urban green spaces: Shifting usage behaviours and perceptions in Leipzig (Germany)?

Moravian Geographical Reports

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic challenge some established human-landscape interactions notably. In this article, we analyse whether the pandemic had an...

COVID-19 pandemic and urban green spaces: Shifting usage behaviours and perceptions in Leipzig (Germany)?

Publicado en línea: 03 abr 2024

Páginas: 26 - 36

Recibido: 25 oct 2023

Aceptado: 24 ene 2024

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/mgr-2024-0003

Palabras clave
Urban green spaces (UGS), COVID-19, usage behaviour, ecosystem services, environmental justice, Leipzig, Germany

© 2024 Hendrik Sielaff et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

COVID-19 pandemic and urban green spaces: Shifting usage behaviours and perceptions in Leipzig (Germany)?

Publicado en línea: 03 abr 2024

Páginas: 26 - 36

Recibido: 25 oct 2023

Aceptado: 24 ene 2024

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/mgr-2024-0003

Palabras claveUrban green spaces (UGS), COVID-19, usage behaviour, ecosystem services, environmental justice, Leipzig, Germany

© 2024 Hendrik Sielaff et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Palabras clave
Urban green spaces (UGS), COVID-19, usage behaviour, ecosystem services, environmental justice, Leipzig, Germany