The Role of Place Attachment in Sustaining Urban Green Space

Robert Ryan (University of Massachusetts, Amherst)

Urban greenspaces are a vital component of sustainable urban environments. However, municipal agencies struggle to maintain existing greenspace let alone create new greenspace in underserved neighborhoods. As city budgets shrink, public land managers look to local neighborhood groups to partner in stewardship of urban parks and forests. Yet, little is known about the motivations of local residents to become engaged in these stewardship activities. This presentation discusses three studies that explore the role of place attachment as a force behind citizen engagement in urban green space.

The first study used a survey to explore local residents’ motivations to engage in urban tree planting and other greening activities in low-income neighborhoods of a densely populated Northeast (US) city. The study of volunteers found that participation in stewardship activities such as tree planting and community gardens led to a significant increase in place attachment, as well as other changes in environmental actions.

The second study used interviews and focus groups to explore local residents’ knowledge about and attachment to urban forests within parks and conservation areas in a mid-sized Northeast (US) city. The study found that despite the overgrown state of the urban forests from declining maintenance budgets, urban residents had a strong connection to those forests with better public access and were willing to engage in forest stewardship.

The third study surveyed park users in a California urban park system. This study found that park users that had high levels of place attachment were more willing to become engaged in future park volunteer activities.

These three studies in a variety of urban greening settings show the need for environmental designers and planners to nurture urban residents’ attachment to greenspace in order to sustain these vital resources for future generations.