No / Tranquility has a number of facets. Given the role that tranquility plays in societies, it is increasingly seen as an environmental indicator. Earlier, some have identified tranquility as contributing to health and wellbeing of individuals and the society, making it to be rooted in the context of sound natural ecosystems as a desirable environmental characteristic. Previous studies have identified tranquility places as having links to nature and natural features, wild landscapes, naturally behaving wildlife and natural sounds. The question of how tranquility can be evaluated and the perception of tranquility by visitors is a continuous recurrence. This study therefore selected seven green open spaces in Hong Kong in an attempt to answer these and other questions that are arising. Although results vary, it however provides a perspective on how people perceive tranquil spaces as part of their leisure and recreation indulgence, given rise to the concept of eco-leisure. / Research Grants Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China (RGC/GRF, CUHK449612)

SAMMANFATTNING:    Rubrik Fysisk aktivitet Hälsa och tillgänglighet av grönområden i samhällsplaneringen. Bakgrund Stillasittande och fysisk inaktivitet har blivit allt mer vanligt bland befolkningen, detta orsakar en ökning av olika folksjukdomar. Att stillasittande och fysisk inaktivitet blir vanligare är ur ett folkhälsoperspektiv ett av de största problemen som finns. Med fysisk aktivitet minskas folksjukdomar samtidigt som vardagsmotion kan motverka hjärt- kärlsjukdomar, diabetes typ2, olika cancerformer, övervikt och fetma som i sin tur leder till förtidigt död. Det här är en av dem viktigaste frågorna som diskuteras världen över. Syfte Syftet med denna studie är att visa hur tillgänglighet till grönområden påverkar vardagsmotion och därmed hälsan. Studiedesign Litteraturstudie. Resultatet Människors påverkan på den byggda miljön är stor och likaså miljöns påverkan på människans hälsa. Stödjande miljöer som exempelvis grönområden kan ha positiva effekter på folkhälsan, genom att vara en anledning till ökad vardagsmotion. Med grönområden menas exempelvis parker, cykelvägar och motionsplatser i omgivningen där människor kan mötas. Detta har en stor påverkan på vardagsmotionen. I studier hittas stora fynd som borde vara självklara. Genom samhällsplanering kan folkhälsan främjas och i studien belyses många viktiga punkter inom det valda ämnet. Material och metod Studien baseras på kvalitativa material och internationellt publicerade vetenskapliga artiklar. Tre data baser har använts för att göra pilot sökningar dessa var, Pubmed, Summon@BTH & ScienceDirect. Många studier visar att vanliga folksjukdomar kan motverkas av fysisk aktivitet. Studien sammanställer forskning inom olika områden där fysisk aktivitet är viktigt och hur man kan nå detta med smart samhällsplanering.

Thesis advisor: David Krauss / In an attempt to better understand the biodiversity of an urban ecosystem, we have conducted plant and bird biodiversity assessments of 10 sites in the Greater Boston area from September 2002-April 2003. These sites have been identified by the Urban Ecology Institute as important green areas through the Natural Cities Program. The purpose of this program is to create a greater body of knowledge of urban green spaces and the greater urban ecosystem of Boston. Our objective was to quantify plant and bird biodiversity by focusing on species richness. We then compared this biodiversity information to various factors such as area of impervious surface, and area of maintained lawn. Our analysis did not demonstrate statistically significant relationships between these factors. / Thesis (BS) — Boston College, 2003. / Submitted to: Boston College. College of Arts and Sciences. / Discipline: Biology. / Discipline: College Honors Program.

Cette thèse est sur l’historique et contemporain, social, politique et économique des forces, qui ont conduit à la (re) production et (re) construction d’injustice spatiale, de la consommation des espaces verts publics socialement valorisées urbaines à Nairobi. À l’aide d’un cadre de l’écologie politique urbaine (EPU), l’étude examine les forces structurant et les acteurs qui ont déterminé et continuent à la forme, les caractéristiques et les tendances, d’utilisation et accès, de la nature urbaine se réserve dans la ville. La question de recherche central de l’étude est, quels sont les processus sociaux, politiques et économiques passés et présents qui déterminent l’utilisation et l’accès des espaces verts urbains pour différents groupes sociaux à Nairobi? L’étude a été guidée par trois objectifs principaux : (1) d’enquêter sur le contexte historique, dynamique, sociale, politique et économique, impliqué dans les espaces verts urbains de création à Nairobi ; (2) afin d’étudier les politiques passées et présentes et des législations guidant l’utilisation, gestion et conservation de l’urbain protégé des zones, ainsi que les résultats des législations pour différents groupes sociaux et (3) d’examiner les résultats sociaux des interventions de l’acteur non étatique, dans la conservation et la gestion des aires protégées urbaines, sur l’utilisation et l’accès des espaces verts urbains publics, pour différents groupes sociaux. L’approche méthodologique utilisée était l’histoire de l’environnement et de la construction sociale de la nature. L’étude a recueilli des données qualitatives et analyse les informations à l’aide d’un style d’analyse critique du discours. Le premier argument que rend la thèse est que les inégalités sociales et spatiales dans l’utilisation et l’accès nos espaces verts urbains à Nairobi se fonde sur l’histoire urbaine de la ville coloniale, fondée par les impérialistes britanniques et mis au point à l’aide de la ségrégation raciale institutionnalisée, comme la principale stratégie de planification et de gestion urbaine. Basé sur un examen critique des résultats sociaux, des politiques et législations dans la période postcoloniale, je fais le deuxième argument que les gouvernements post indépendantes et moyens, a continué à reproduire injuste nos espaces verts urbains, en omettant de traiter l’oppression et l’autocratie, construit dans les forces structurantes et les institutions, hérités de l’administration coloniale. Par conséquent, pendant une longue période après l’indépendance, autre désenchantement des groupes sociaux vulnérables et marginalisés ont continué, limitant leur utilisation équitable et l’accès des ressources naturelles socialement valorisées. Le discours de l’époque est qu’ouverture aux acteurs non étatiques, augmentera les possibilités pour les groupes sociaux marginalisés et vulnérables, soient habilitées à prendre des décisions sur la gestion et l’utilisation durable des ressources. On croit que cela permettra aux collectivités de durablement pour utiliser et accéder aux ressources naturelles, réduire la pauvreté, améliorer les moyens de subsistance, prestation de services et améliorer la conservation et gestion. Ainsi, environ de la dernière décennie un, indépendant des gouvernements ont modifié leurs politiques, par l’ouverture à la participation du public dans la gestion et la conservation de la nature urbaine se réserve notamment dans la ville. Ces changements dans la politique font partie des déplacements plus loin le gouvernement de l’État centré, vers une autonomisation locale, conformément à la Constitution du Kenya a récemment promulgué (CoK) 2010. L’idée maîtresse de la thèse vient ici, où j’ai une question l’affirmation que la participation citoyenne permettra d’améliorer la justice sociale et spatiale. / This thesis is about the historical and contemporary social, political and economic forces, that have led to the (re)production and (re)construction of spatial injustice, in the consumption of socially valued public urban green spaces in Nairobi. Using an Urban Political Ecology (UPE) framework, the study investigates the structuring forces and actors that have determined and continue to shape, patterns and trends, of use and access, of urban nature reserves in the city. The central research question of the study is, what are the past and present social, political and economic processes that determine use and access of urban greenspaces for different social user groups in Nairobi? The study was guided by three main objectives: (1) To investigate the historical context, that is, social, political and economic dynamics, involved in the creation urban greenspaces in Nairobi; (2) To investigate the past and present, policies and legislations guiding the use, management and conservation of the urban protected areas, as well as the outcomes of the legislations for different social user groups and (3) To examine the social outcomes of non-state actor’s interventions, in the conservation and management of urban protected areas, on use and access of public urban green spaces, for different social user groups. The methodological approach used was environmental history and the social construction of nature. The study collected qualitative data and analysed the information using a critical discourse analysis style. The first argument the thesis makes is that social and spatial inequalities in use and access urban greenspaces in Nairobi is grounded on the city’s colonial urban history, as founded by the British imperialists and developed using institutionalised racial segregation, as the main strategy for urban planning and management. Based on a critical review of the social outcomes, of policies and legislations in the post-colonial period, I make the second argument that the early and middle post-independent governments, continued to reproduce unjust urban greenspaces, by failing to address the oppression and autocracy, built in the structuring forces and institutions, inherited from the colonial government. Therefore, for a long time after independence, further disenfranchisement of vulnerable and marginalised social groups continued, limiting their equitable use and access of socially valued natural resources. The contemporary discourse is that opening up to non-state actors, will increase opportunities for the marginalised and vulnerable social groups, to be empowered in making decisions on sustainable resource use and management. It is believed that this will enable communities to sustainably use and access natural resources, reduce poverty, improve livelihoods, service delivery and enhance conservation and management. Thus, approximately for the past one decade, the post-independent governments have changed their policies, by opening up to public participation in management and conservation of urban nature reserves including in the city. These changes in policy are part of the wider shifts away from the state centred government, towards local empowerment, in line with the recently promulgated Constitution of Kenya (CoK) 2010. The main thrust of the thesis comes here, where I question the assertion that citizen participation will enhance social and spatial justice. Therefore, a larger part of the thesis investigates the social outcomes of interventions by non-state actors in management and conservation of the urban nature reserves, on different social user groups.

The purpose of this research is to analyze the evolution of outdoor renovations on East Tennessee State University’s campus by examining the effects these renovations have had on students and faculty, and then using this data to propose possible successful renovations to the remainder of the University Commons project. To complete this project, data was obtained through East Tennessee State University administrative faculty interviews, surveys of students residing in campus resident halls, and observations. By examining the impact on behavior, designers and developers are then able to successfully determine the factors that aid in positively influencing human behaviors. Design suggestions were then proposed for the future development of Ross Drive, Pride Walk, and the second phase of the University Commons.

Spatial and temporal patterns of urban vegetation have been widely studied since the mid-twentieth century, but these studies have focused mainly on northern hemisphere countries, and little research has been conducted in developing countries. Urban vegetation is characterized by the presence of species that are adapted to the particular environmental conditions of cities, and a high diversity of exotic species. This occurs due to a combination of factors: on one hand, it is possible to find wild vegetation (weeds) on abandoned lands or those with little intervention, as well as on walls and buildings. On the other hand, there is also an enormous variety of ornamental and mainly exotic species, which have been cultivated by humans. The processes of species selection performed individually or collectively are a major determinant of the diversity of urban vegetation and flora. Individual decisions relate to private spaces such as residential gardens whose owners manage the vegetation according to their preferences and interests. Collective decisions relate to public spaces, which, by their nature, are subject to the action of multiple stakeholders. At the collective level, decision-making occurs in the context of processes involving local governments, other state agencies, NGOs and various interest groups present in the city. Each of these actors has its own vision on the role of urban vegetation, their preferences and criteria for the selection and management. This study aims to investigate the processes of decision-making responsible for the current composition of the vegetation in public spaces of the Metropolitan Area of Santiago (MAS). Through this research is expected to identify the criteria for the selection of species to be planted in public spaces, the reasons that explain the predominance of certain species, and the difference between parks managed by different public agencies in MAS. The research assumes that the various public and private actors involved in the planting and management of vegetation in public spaces, act guided by criteria and preferences that are finally expressed in the observed patterns of urban vegetation. For this purpose, the conceptual framework of governance is used, understood as the process of decision-making concerning public affairs, which involves multiple agents or interests including government agencies, non-governmental organizations and civil society groups. The overarching objectives of this Thesis are: a) To contribute to the knowledge of interactions between governance system and urban vegetation patterns in metropolitan areas of developing countries, recognizing both social and environmental processes interacting. b) Contribute to urban planning and policies by generating knowledge relevant to decision- making regarding urban vegetation. A robust knowledge of the factors defining the composition and structure of urban vegetation is essential to design effective policies for increasing vegetation cover, with consequent environmental and social benefits.

Submitted by Karina Andrade Mattos null (karina_amattos@hotmail.com) on 2017-03-27T16:09:49Z No. of bitstreams: 1 DISSERTAÇÃO DE MESTRADO_KARINA ANDRADE MATTOS _REPOSITÓRIO.pdf: 38116716 bytes, checksum: 108b51c05dd508c255283b851a6cfdee (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Luiz Galeffi (luizgaleffi@gmail.com) on 2017-03-29T19:03:34Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 mattos_ka_me_bauru.pdf: 38116716 bytes, checksum: 108b51c05dd508c255283b851a6cfdee (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-03-29T19:03:34Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 mattos_ka_me_bauru.pdf: 38116716 bytes, checksum: 108b51c05dd508c255283b851a6cfdee (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-02-23 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / A presente pesquisa propõe a análise multimétodos dos espaços verdes urbanos das cidades de Botucatu e Bauru, a fim de valorizá-los. A criação e manutenção de espaços verdes urbanos proporcionam inúmeros benefícios, contudo, tais espaços só se tornam relevantes à vida urbana quando objeto de políticas, programas e projetos públicos bem sucedidos. Nota-se que a partir do final do século XX e início do século XXI, uma consciência em relação à importância desses espaços começou a emergir, tanto por parte da administração pública como da população. No entanto, diante da conjuntura contemporânea baseada na multifuncionalidade dos espaços verdes, na maioria das vezes as ações dos planejadores e administradores não coincidem com as necessidades dos cidadãos. Assim, entender como as diferentes instâncias da sociedade avaliam os benefícios associados a esses espaços, considerando os fatores sociais, culturais, territoriais e políticos do meio, torna-se fundamental para o desenvolvimento e aplicação de estratégias e políticas públicas urbanas participativas e eficientes. Dessa forma, nosso objetivo é verificar se os benefícios dos espaços verdes são igualmente classificados pela população em diferentes áreas urbanas, apresentando divergências ou influências das particularidades locais, e se os benefícios atribuídos pelos cidadãos têm o mesmo valor que os destacados pelas políticas públicas municipais. Para isso, a metodologia adotada inclui diferentes materiais e métodos: pesquisa bibliográfica e documental, estudos de campo, cartografia, entrevistas e o método Best-Worst Scaling (BWS). Os resultados direcionam para três principais constatações: primeiro, que há uma hierarquização dos benefícios dos espaços verdes e que, apesar das diferenças, existe uma semelhança entre a classificação das duas cidades; segundo, que, em Botucatu, a percepção dos cidadãos vai de encontro com as medidas adotadas pela gestão pública municipal; e terceiro, que pesquisas desta natureza são fundamentais para a valorização dos espaços verdes urbanos. / The present research proposes the multi-method analysis of the urban green spaces in Botucatu and Bauru cities, in order to valorize them. The creation and maintenance of urban green spaces provide innumerous benefits, however, such spaces only become relevant to urban life when object of successful politics, programs and public projects. It is noticed that from the end of the twentieth century and early of twenty-first century, a conscience in relation to importance of these spaces began emerging, as much in the public management as in the population. Therefore, in face of the contemporary conjuncture based on the multifunctionality of the green spaces, mostly the action of the planners and managers do not coincide with the necessities of the citizens. Thus, to understand how the different instances of society evaluate the benefits associated to these spaces, considering the social, cultural, territorial and political facts of the place, it is fundamental to the development and application of the participative and efficient strategies and urban public policies. This way, our objective is to verify if the benefits of the urban green spaces are equally classified by the population in different urban areas, presenting divergences or influences of the local particularities, and if the benefits attributed by citizens have the same value that the detailed by the municipal public policies. For this, the methodology adopted includes different materials and methods: bibliographic and documentary research, field studies, cartography, interviews and the method Best-Worst Scaling (BWS). The results point to three main findings: first, that there is a ranking of the benefits in the green spaces and that, in spite of the difference, there is a similarity between the classifications of the two cities; second, that, in Botucatu the citizens’ perception meet the measure adopted by the municipal public management; and third, that researches of this nature are fundamental to the valuation of the urban green spaces.

Forskning har framhävt problematiken som kan uppstå när tillgången och kvaliteten på grönytor intill bostadsområdet inte anpassats efter medborgarnas behov. Om användarens intressen och värderingar kring vad som anses vara en kvalitativ grönyta förbises, kan många hälsoaspekter kopplade till vistelsen bland grönytor försummas. För att stadsplanerare ska kunna avgöra vilka kvalitativa aspekter som intressegrupper värderar har medborgardialoger blivit ett användbart verktyg. Dessvärre upplever inte alla medborgare sig som delaktiga i planeringen.  Syftet med uppsatsen är att undersöka hur medborgare i Malmös delområden Herrgården, Kronprinsen och Bellevue upplever tillgången och kvaliteten på grönytor utifrån ett rättviseperspektiv. Uppsatsen ämnar även undersöka om upplevelsen av delaktighet och inflytande skiljer sig mellan olika socioekonomiska grupper i förhållande till planeringen av grönyta och i så fall varför? Det teoretiska ramverket utgår från den rumsliga rättvisan och miljörättvisan. Metoderna som används är en demografisk undersökning av delområdena, en enkätundersökning om malmöbornas värderingar av grönytor samt intervjuer med medborgare och tjänsteperson om kvalitativa grönytor. Resultatet indikerar att upplevelsen av tillgång och kvalitet på grönytor skiljer sig åt mellan de olika delområdena. Även upplevelsen av delaktighet och inflytande i planeringen av grönytor skiljer sig åt mellan olika socioekonomiska grupper på grund av förväntan, medvetenhet, inkomst och kunskap. / Research has highlighted the problems that can arise when the availability and quality of green spaces next to the residential area have not been adapted to the needs of citizens. If the user's interests and values of what is considered a qualitative green space are overlooked, many health aspects linked to the usage of green spaces can be neglected. For city planners to be able to determine which qualitative aspects interest groups value, citizen dialogues have become a useful tool. Unfortunately, not all citizens feel involved in the planning. The purpose of the thesis is to investigate how citizens in Malmö's sub-areas Herrgården, Kronprinsen, and Bellevue experience the availability and quality of green spaces from a justice perspective. The thesis also intends to investigate whether the experience of participation and influence differs between different socio-economic groups in relation to the planning of green space and if so, why? The theoretical framework is based on spatial justice and environmental justice. The methods used are demographic surveys of the sub-areas, a survey of Malmö residents' values ​​of green spaces and interviews with citizens, and an official survey about qualitative green spaces. The results indicate that the experience of access and quality of green areas differs between the different sub-areas. The experience of participation and influence in the planning of green spaces also differs between different socio-economic groups due to expectation, awareness, income, and knowledge.

In South Africa, urbanized environments are often studied individually, not taking the surrounding natural environment into account (McConnachie and Shackleton, 2012: 2). Current approaches focussing on the integration of Urban Planning and Urban Ecology seek to address these issues of integrated planning. Urban Ecology practice aims to describe the study of (1) humans in human settlements, of (2) nature in human settlements, and of (3) the joined relationships between humans and nature. Urban Ecology thus forms a major part of Urban and Spatial Planning, with regard to the objectives of sustainable planning and development, green infrastructure planning, and resilience. The role and impact of green spaces to support sustainable human settlements are no new phenomenon (Byrne & Sipe, 2010: 7). This is related to the different benefits which nature provides, referred to in this research as ecosystem services (or environmental benefits) of green spaces. Green spaces, in this sense, are fundamental areas in human settlements, in need of intentional and structured planning approaches to enhance sustainability and said environmental benefits. It is important to realise that the environment in urbanized areas is dependent on the local communities (in terms of conservation and appropriate planning approaches), but that local communities (society) are also dependent on the environment (in terms of certain benefits which are provided by the said green spaces and environment). Rural settlements in South Africa experience various problems and challenges in terms of planning for the environment through green spaces (as well as sustainability), mainly as a result of the fragmentation of these rural areas, the existence of lost spaces, urbanisation, urban sprawl and poverty (Trancik, 1986; Barnett, 1995; IIED, 2000; DEAT, 2006; McMahan et al, 2002). This research attempted to address the challenges of integrated planning and green space provision in a local rural context, by means of: (1) A literature study encompassing research on Urban Ecology; Urban Planning; environmental dimension of planning; provision of ecosystem services; green infrastructure planning; resilience, and relevant policies and legislation; (2) An empirical investigation and comparative evaluation of international case studies, along with a local case study; and (3) drawing conclusions and recommendations for the local case study, based on the international approaches and identified best-practices. This research evaluated the spatial and environmental benefits of green space and enhanced the importance of planning for such benefits in rural South African areas. / MArt et Scien (Urban and Regional Planning), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

In South Africa, urbanized environments are often studied individually, not taking the surrounding natural environment into account (McConnachie and Shackleton, 2012: 2). Current approaches focussing on the integration of Urban Planning and Urban Ecology seek to address these issues of integrated planning. Urban Ecology practice aims to describe the study of (1) humans in human settlements, of (2) nature in human settlements, and of (3) the joined relationships between humans and nature. Urban Ecology thus forms a major part of Urban and Spatial Planning, with regard to the objectives of sustainable planning and development, green infrastructure planning, and resilience. The role and impact of green spaces to support sustainable human settlements are no new phenomenon (Byrne & Sipe, 2010: 7). This is related to the different benefits which nature provides, referred to in this research as ecosystem services (or environmental benefits) of green spaces. Green spaces, in this sense, are fundamental areas in human settlements, in need of intentional and structured planning approaches to enhance sustainability and said environmental benefits. It is important to realise that the environment in urbanized areas is dependent on the local communities (in terms of conservation and appropriate planning approaches), but that local communities (society) are also dependent on the environment (in terms of certain benefits which are provided by the said green spaces and environment). Rural settlements in South Africa experience various problems and challenges in terms of planning for the environment through green spaces (as well as sustainability), mainly as a result of the fragmentation of these rural areas, the existence of lost spaces, urbanisation, urban sprawl and poverty (Trancik, 1986; Barnett, 1995; IIED, 2000; DEAT, 2006; McMahan et al, 2002). This research attempted to address the challenges of integrated planning and green space provision in a local rural context, by means of: (1) A literature study encompassing research on Urban Ecology; Urban Planning; environmental dimension of planning; provision of ecosystem services; green infrastructure planning; resilience, and relevant policies and legislation; (2) An empirical investigation and comparative evaluation of international case studies, along with a local case study; and (3) drawing conclusions and recommendations for the local case study, based on the international approaches and identified best-practices. This research evaluated the spatial and environmental benefits of green space and enhanced the importance of planning for such benefits in rural South African areas. / MArt et Scien (Urban and Regional Planning), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015