Perceptions of cultural ecosystem services of tree-based green infrastructure: A focus group participatory mapping in Zagreb, Croatia

• Published in: Urban forestry & urban greening Vol. 78; p. 127767
• Main Authors: Kičić, Martina, Haase, Dagmar, Marin, Ana Marija, Vuletić, Dijana, Krajter Ostoić, Silvija
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier GmbH 01.12.2022
• Subjects: Aesthetics; Correspondence analysis; Cultural identity; Educational services; Place attachment; Recreation; Aesthetics; Correspondence analysis; Place attachment; Cultural identity; Educational services; Recreation
• ISSN: 1618-8667; 1610-8167
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ufug.2022.127767

Urban green infrastructure provides city dwellers numerous benefits. Among them, cultural ecosystem services (CES) are distinguished by being easily perceived and essential for people and their well-being. However, not all CES are equally easy to perceive, resulting with some of the CES categories being weakly explored. Research on CES also rarely considers elements of urban green infrastructure other than parks and forests. Therefore, there is a lack of research on different components of urban green infrastructure, especially tree-based, perceived in relation to CES. This paper presents the results of focus group participatory mapping implemented with citizens in the city districts of Zagreb on the perception of five selected CES categories in various types of urban green infrastructure. Our results show that participants perceived 13 different types of tree-based urban green infrastructure as providers of CES. We also distinguish patterns in the perception of CES categories and their connection with types of tree-based urban green infrastructure. Tree lines are perceived as providers of aesthetical experiences. Furthermore, forests and park forests are perceived in relation to place attachment and recreational activities, while parks are versatile and provide all explored CES. Other types that emerged as important were greenways, greenery around residential buildings and educational institutions, which provokes rethinking of a careful planning of the entire repertoire of urban green infrastructure. •Perception of CES of tree-based UGI was quantified and explored.•13 types of tree-based UGI in relation to CES were perceived in the city of Zagreb.•Patterns in CES perception from tree-based UGI can be clearly distinguished.•Focus group participatory mapping is an effective tool for CES research.