Study: Majority of Viennese Support Wild Nature in the City
This is shown by a study published in the journal "People and Nature" by the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (Boku) Vienna. In such urban renaturation projects, more space is given to nature to unfold, and urban green spaces are transformed into wild urban forests or wildflower meadows.
In many cities, carefully maintained green spaces dominate. Previous studies also often showed a preference for tidy parks and green areas. However, wild natural areas with spontaneous vegetation and wild structures "can offer significant ecological and health benefits," according to a release from Boku: They increase biodiversity, improve the microclimate, and offer city dwellers diverse nature experiences.
Study: 800 Viennese surveyed
Brenda Maria Zoderer and Harald Wieser from the Institute of Landscape Development, Recreation, and Conservation Planning at Boku surveyed 800 Viennese people using a questionnaire about their attitude towards two scenarios in their residential areas: It was assumed that 50 percent of an existing, easily accessible green space or 50 percent of a vacant, currently unused area in the neighborhood would be converted into wild nature.
Depending on the scenario, at least 46 percent of respondents would support or actively endorse such projects, while ten to 24 percent reject them. The rest show an indifferent or tolerant attitude towards such initiatives.
"Urban Rewilding": Differences in acceptance
There are differences in acceptance: Those who already use urban wilderness areas for recreation, such as walking or nature observation, rate new projects significantly more positively. Younger respondents (15-24 years) showed significantly lower acceptance, while older ones (55-75 years) agreed almost three times as often. There is generally lower approval from people who perceive their residential areas as neglected.
The broad support for "Urban Rewilding" is "a very positive message for the future of our cities," explained Zoderer. However, the concerns of certain groups must be taken seriously, actively involved in planning, and solutions developed that benefit everyone. According to the research team, measures are particularly successful when the newly created areas remain accessible and experiential. "A key factor for new rewilding initiatives is providing diverse opportunities for residents to experience wilderness. Instead of removing people from nature, such measures should follow a 'people with nature' strategy," the scientists write in their work.
(APA/Red)
This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.