Beginning by highlighting the heterogeneous nature of urban green spaces, Rega-Brodsky explained the design of these spaces demonstrates human use often outweighing ecological function. Urban nature is deeply shaped by the social and cultural contexts it exists in. Furthermore, people’s childhood experiences in these spaces influence how they value and interact with natural space throughout their lives. Rega-Brodsky argued that the ways in which people use space is dependent on three factors: perception, experience, and action.
One of Rega-Brodsky’s central points was the tension between biodiversity and human interest in landscape design. On one side of the spectrum, less managed spaces with dense shrubbery and vegetation can greatly support wildlife, biodiversity, and ecosystem functioning. Yet, these spaces usually carry negative connotations by residents, often viewed as unsafe or neglected. In contrast, highly managed, manicured parks with vast open lawns are heavily preferred in terms of cultural services. Recreation and therapeutic properties are appreciated by those who utilize the park, but biodiversity within these spaces is extremely lacking, there is no structural complexity. It was emphasized that we need to find a way to balance these extremes.
This was illustrated through two case studies. First, Baltimore, Maryland was studied. Baltimore is riddled with a high volume of vacant lots across the city, a product of massive job loss following the decline of the city’s leading industries. These lots can support significant biodiversity, including bird populations, when dense wild vegetation is able to thrive unmanaged. However, these wildlife benefits go against the typical preferences of residents who would like to see spaces with visible maintenance, larger trees, and recreation areas. Rega-Brodsky suggested that integrating small patches of dense vegetation within larger managed green spaces could balance and support social and ecological goals simultaneously.
The second study involved an ongoing case in Columbia, Missouri. Rega-Brodsky and her team have shown that the general public often underestimates the degree of biodiversity in urban parks. Survey respondents generally guessed well below the true amount of bird species present in these spaces, even though birds themselves were shown to be generally supported and valued. However, perception of birds does vary; urban park visitors were most likely to perceive birds as more of a nuisance, noting disservices such as noise or mess.
All in all, Rega-Brodsky highlighted the necessity of accounting for the interconnected relationship between perception, experience, and action to successfully plan spaces that integrate ecological function and human perception.
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