S07 - Session P1 - Quality over quantity for improving the cultural ecosystem services of urban greeneries in the Arid Regions

Authors: Majid Amanibeni *, Mohammad Reza Khalilnezhad, Zhongwei Shen

The findings of an exploratory study conducted in Birjand, Iran, during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic are presented in this paper. The study's goal was to investigate behavioral changes in the use and motivation to visit a green space (public or private) during the pandemic as compared to the pre-pandemic period; the impact of green spaces (private and public) on users' feelings; and the relationships between the extent to which green spaces were missed and respondents' characteristics and where they live. In the winter of 2020, a survey was conducted via an online questionnaire, and approximately 400 replies were received. Those having access to public green spaces visited less during the pandemic, while those with access to private green spaces such as gardens or courtyards visited more. Furthermore, both public and private green space contribute to favorable outcomes. Green space was missed by respondents, particularly when their visitation prior to the pandemic was high, and women missed it more than men. As a result, private green spaces may provide not just psychological relief but also opportunities for socialization in the event of a pandemic. The study presents respondents' useful suggestions for urban landscape planning for the city of Birjand, which may be applicable to other dry-land cities: improving the quality of green spaces rather than the quantity may play a role in enhancing the connection to nature during pandemics, with positive effects on mental health, as well as improving recreation opportunities and reducing inequalities.