Iranian citizens behaviors and attitudes on visitations and appreciation of the urban green space during the COVID-19 epidemic

Abstract

This paper reports the results of an exploratory study carried out in the arid city of Birjand, Iran, during the first year of pandemic for COVID-19. A survey was carried out through an online questionnaire from 5th of January to 14th of February 2021 and collected about 400 respondents, mostly from 20 to 50 years old and women. The results have shown a decrease of visitation of public green spaces during the pandemic, likely because of the limitations of movement set by the government, but also a high visitation of private green spaces as gardens or courtyards. Nature-centered activities such as observing nature and staying outdoors, but also taking the kids outdoors were the most selected reasons and they were even elicited by the pandemic, although with some differences between public and private green spaces. The results highlighted that the majority of respondents missed going to a green space very much, especially when their former visitation was frequent and the distance to it was larger. The study reports respondents useful suggestions for urban landscape planning for the city of Birjand that might be useful also to other cities in dry lands: compact residential development can be improved by enhancing existing pocket parks and using shading trees in streets, thus strengthening the linkages between green spaces. Improving the quality of green spaces beyond the quantity may play a role in enhancing the connection to nature in the time of pandemic, with positive effects on mental health, but also can improve recreation opportunities and reduce inequalities.