An assessment of socio-ecological dimensions for urban green planning in Italy: towards a multidisciplinary and participatory approach

Abstract

Global urbanization exerts profound impacts on both human populations and ecosystems, making equitable and sustainable urban planning an urgent priority to ensure social and environmental justice. Integrated and multidisciplinary approaches are essential for jointly assessing social, economic, and ecological dimensions in urban contexts. This study investigates the opinions of Italian citizens regarding the features, biodiversity, and ecosystem services of urban green spaces. The questionnaire employed in the survey comprised five sections: 1) use and frequency of visits, 2) valued features, 3) perception of biodiversity and ecosystem services, 4) engagement and access to information, and 5) user profile. Data were collected from 2,222 respondents through a mixed-method approach (CATI/CAWI). The survey was conducted across several Italian cities and assessed how opinions on urban green spaces influence self-reported quality of life, in relation to contextual factors and the socio-economic characteristics of respondents. The dataset was simplified through exploratory factor analysis, and the resulting factors were analyzed using a cumulative link model. Findings indicate that respondents who attach importance to the maintenance of green areas are more likely to express positive opinions, whereas respondents in the highest income class had a lower likelihood of reporting positive opinions. The study offers valuable insights into citizens’ opinions, attitudes, preferences, and needs, providing evidence to inform planning and management of urban green spaces. It further underscores the importance of integrating ecological data at the city level in future research.