Investigation of urban green spaces' benefits and their impact on peoples' wellbeing: Case study of Prague, Czech Republic

BSc. Ekaterina Borisova

Master's thesis

Abstract:

The main objective of this research thesis is to investigate the effect that urban green spaces may have on the well-being of people living in the city of Prague, Czech Republic. It also sheds light on the differences in the perception of urban stress among the target groups of this research that surveyed local residents, expats, and refugees from Ukraine. In particular, the work explored how are transformations in the patterns of urbanization in the city have changed since the onset of the Russian-Ukrainian war, which began in February 2022, and specifically how has this affected people's sense of well-being. This study also aims to look at park usage and highlights the degree of participants' satisfaction with the state of urban green spaces in the city. As a method above, for the data collection for this quantitative research, the author used a combination of online and in-person surveys conducted in parks and other public areas throughout Prague. Respondents were selected on the basis of random sampling, and the survey consisted of 241 participants. Based on the findings, strong positive correlations were found between visiting UGSs and improved physical health, stress reduction, and enhanced social inclusion among survey participants. Overall, 96% of those surveyed said that park use helped them moderately or significantly reduce their stress level; 93% agreed that it improved their physical health; and 67% noted that visiting UGSs helped them to meet new people. The perception of urban stress varies among target groups; however, the majority of respondents indicated that overcrowding is the main stress factor in the city. The interviewed local residents and expats, however, do not believe that the migration wave from Ukraine, which began after the Russian invasion in February of 2022, had a strong negative impact on their standard of living in the city or on the perceived quality of their life. Representatives of all groups expressed general satisfaction with the quantity (57,3%) and quality (51,2%) of green areas in Prague. Respondents rated walking, hiking, and trips with friends or family members as the most popular activities to be done in Prague parks. The study collected data on the use of green spaces, such as frequency of visits, time spent there, proximity of residence, etc. Survey participants also shared what specific qualities of green areas attract them to repeat their visit. Urban planners, decision-makers, and landscape architects can use the results of this questionnaire-based survey to understand better the needs of different demographic groups who visit urban green spaces, recommendations for how to enhance the quality of Prague's green spaces by making them more inclusive, and thereby contribute to the population's overall well-being.

Keywords

urban green spaces, urban green spaces benefits, well-being, Russian-Ukrainian war 2022, refugees, urban stress

Language used: English

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 3. 4. 2023

Thesis defence

• Date of defence: 16. 5. 2023
• Supervisor: doc. Peter Kumble, Ph.D.
• Reader: Vlaďka Kirschner, Ph.D.

Czech University of Life Sciences Prague

Faculty of Environmental Sciences

Master programme:
Landscape Planning