What is it about?
Urban vegetation, like trees, parks, and green spaces, makes cities more livable by improving air quality, providing shade, and supporting wildlife. But not everyone sees it the same way. In this study, we asked over 800 people in Costa Rica’s Greater Metropolitan Area what they think about urban greenery. Most people (8 out of 10) believe it has more benefits than drawbacks, but 2 out of 10 have concerns. Some worry that trees attract crime, pests, or even damage buildings. Interestingly, opinions vary based on factors like age, gender, and education. Understanding how people value urban greenery, beyond its beauty, helps shape better cities that balance environmental benefits with community needs.
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Photo by César Badilla Miranda on Unsplash
Why is it important?
As cities grow, the role of urban greenery becomes more critical, but not everyone agrees on its value. Our study highlights how people in Costa Rica perceive urban vegetation, revealing both its benefits and concerns. This is important because public perception influences city planning, policies, and investment in green spaces. What makes this study unique is its focus on a tropical, Latin American city, where urban greenery plays a key role in managing heat, air quality, and biodiversity. It also provides a rare comparison with Singapore, showing that despite different cultures and economies, people’s attitudes toward urban nature are surprisingly similar. By understanding these views, city leaders can make smarter, more inclusive decisions about urban green spaces.
Perspectives
As someone who has lived most of my life in the Tropics, I know urban greenery is more than just decoration: It cools cities, supports biodiversity, and makes life more livable. But not everyone sees it that way. Some people worry about crime, pests, or maintenance. Greener cities are the future, but to make them work, we need to understand how people value them and address their concerns.
Dr. Jan-Frederik Flor
Taylor's University
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: The public perception of urban vegetation in metropolitan regions of Costa Rica, Environmental Advances, October 2023, Elsevier,
DOI: 10.1016/j.envadv.2023.100422.
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Resources
Costa Rica crea Parques Naturales Urbanos para mejorar la conservación y salud en las ciudades
Costa Rica creates Urban Natural Parks to improve conservation and health in cities.
El reto de meter la naturaleza en la ciudad
The "Rutas Naturbanas" project wants to connect more than 25 kilometers to the north and south of the city of San José to create a large green area taking advantage of the river banks.
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