82
J. A. R. Plata et al.
In contrast, rivers were rated the lowest of all items. Finally, economic benefits
were associated to parks.
4.5 People Perceived Environmental Issues from Key Green
Infrastructure Components
People perceived environmental issues of green infrastructure components, particularly rivers (Table 6). For many people rivers were a source of pollution and a risk for
health (60%) and abandoned places without any activity (40%). These aspects are
related to environmental and economic dimensions of sustainability. Rivers are key
components to connect a green infrastructure network in the Metropolitan Area of
Leon, although people perceived them negatively. Meaning that rivers are an obstacle
for having a positive perception of green infrastructure as a unit.
In opposite, parks were rated the lowest of all items, which confirms that parks
meet positive rates the most.
5 Discussion
We have conducted a diagnosis on the functions and dysfunctions of green infrastructure components for the social welfare with the aim to contribute to an effective
planning approach of natural open spaces. The results are based on a homogenized
framework on green infrastructure concept, the evaluation of green infrastructure
components in the Metropolitan Area of Leon and the perception of public, local
Authorities and members of local Council. This framework was used to evaluate (i)
the distribution of green infrastructure components in the Metropolitan Area of Leon,
and (ii) the people’s perception about social, economic and environmental benefits
and problems of green infrastructure.
The common framework was an important starting point because the green infrastructure approach was recently introduced in land planning. This was the basis for
evaluating the existing distribution of green infrastructure in the study area and of
the different social perceptions on its components.
In the present work, we have identified that people attached different benefits
(functions) and problems (disfunctions) to green infrastructure. People did not perceive all different natural spaces as social, economic or environmental beneficial.
Meaning that each component of a green infrastructure network may meet different
functions within a network and have different contributions to urban sustainability.
Therefore, having a network that integrate a variety of components is desirable to
keep ecological values of land. This perspective is important but only if it takes into
consideration the environmental dimension of sustainability, disregarding the social
dimension to achieve an effective urban land planning.
J. A. R. Plata et al.
In contrast, rivers were rated the lowest of all items. Finally, economic benefits
were associated to parks.
4.5 People Perceived Environmental Issues from Key Green
Infrastructure Components
People perceived environmental issues of green infrastructure components, particularly rivers (Table 6). For many people rivers were a source of pollution and a risk for
health (60%) and abandoned places without any activity (40%). These aspects are
related to environmental and economic dimensions of sustainability. Rivers are key
components to connect a green infrastructure network in the Metropolitan Area of
Leon, although people perceived them negatively. Meaning that rivers are an obstacle
for having a positive perception of green infrastructure as a unit.
In opposite, parks were rated the lowest of all items, which confirms that parks
meet positive rates the most.
5 Discussion
We have conducted a diagnosis on the functions and dysfunctions of green infrastructure components for the social welfare with the aim to contribute to an effective
planning approach of natural open spaces. The results are based on a homogenized
framework on green infrastructure concept, the evaluation of green infrastructure
components in the Metropolitan Area of Leon and the perception of public, local
Authorities and members of local Council. This framework was used to evaluate (i)
the distribution of green infrastructure components in the Metropolitan Area of Leon,
and (ii) the people’s perception about social, economic and environmental benefits
and problems of green infrastructure.
The common framework was an important starting point because the green infrastructure approach was recently introduced in land planning. This was the basis for
evaluating the existing distribution of green infrastructure in the study area and of
the different social perceptions on its components.
In the present work, we have identified that people attached different benefits
(functions) and problems (disfunctions) to green infrastructure. People did not perceive all different natural spaces as social, economic or environmental beneficial.
Meaning that each component of a green infrastructure network may meet different
functions within a network and have different contributions to urban sustainability.
Therefore, having a network that integrate a variety of components is desirable to
keep ecological values of land. This perspective is important but only if it takes into
consideration the environmental dimension of sustainability, disregarding the social
dimension to achieve an effective urban land planning.