Cultural diversity in urban park use and perception

Area of Science:

• Urban Studies
• Environmental Psychology
• Sociology

Background:

• Increasing migration and cultural diversification in urban areas necessitate understanding diverse user needs in public spaces.
• Urban green areas are vital for well-being, but their use and perception can vary significantly across cultural groups.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate how park users of different cultural backgrounds (Swiss and non-Swiss) perceive and utilize urban green spaces.
• To identify variations in motivations, emotional responses, and ecological preferences related to cultural background in Zurich's parks.

Main Methods:

• Employs a mixed-methods approach combining quantitative summaries and qualitative insights.
• Utilizes 100 face-to-face go-along interviews conducted in four public parks in Zurich, Switzerland.
• Applies a three-dimensional framework: motivational, emotional, and ecological, assessing user experiences and vegetation characteristics.

Main Results:

• Both Swiss and non-Swiss park users reported shared appreciation for health-related benefits.
• Identified distinct patterns in motivations, emotional experiences, and preferences for vegetation structure between the two cultural groups.
• Findings suggest culturally differentiated park use patterns within the Zurich context.

Conclusions:

• Culturally informed approaches are essential for inclusive urban planning and management of green spaces.
• The study provides context-specific insights into how cultural background influences the use and perception of urban parks.
• Highlights the importance of considering motivational, emotional, and ecological dimensions for a comprehensive understanding of park user experiences.