5.2. Summary of the results and key research findings in relation to the objectives
5.2.1. To examine social perspectives on the value and use of green spaces within the
illustrative examples
In order to assess the social perspectives on the use and value of green spaces within the eThekwini Municipality, the following aspects were considered: socio-economic and demographic characteristics of respondents, respondents’ uses and perceptions of urban green spaces, environmentally-friendly practices of respondents and respondents’ awareness and perception of the D’MOSS programme.
5.2.1.1. Socio-economic and demographic characteristics of respondents
Understanding the socio-economic and demographic characteristics of the sampled population was a necessary exercise as numerous studies (as indicated in the literature review) emphasise the importance of examining these variables when evaluating human-nature relations. The
141 results obtained here showed that the study population comprised of an almost equal proportion of males to females, who were predominantly young to middle-aged individuals. Over half the households surveyed comprised of one to three persons. Furthermore, the majority of the respondents were educated (completed secondary level of education and above) and employed.
However, definite variations were evident in respondents’ total household monthly income, indicative of a mix of socio-economic strata (low, middle and high income earners) within the sampled population.
5.2.1.2. Respondent uses and perceptions of urban green spaces
The way in which people perceive urban green spaces can significantly influence their behaviour (negatively or positively) towards green areas (Budruk et al., 2009; Dinnie et al., 2013; Pillay and Pahlad, 2014). Therefore, this study assessed respondents’ perspectives on the uses and values of their surrounding green spaces. It was found that even though there was little agreement amongst respondents’ in terms of their interpretation of urban green spaces within their community and the eThekwini Municipality, a common understanding of nature was evident in their responses irrespective of social status. In general, significant proportions of respondents gave more consideration towards parks, sports fields, golf courses, gardens, nature reserves and mangroves/ swamps as green spaces. When interrogated further, these results also suggest that respondents’ recognition of these green spaces could be linked to their aesthetics, amenities and value use. Additionally, it was evident that selected socio- demographic variables (gender, education and income in particular) had a limited influence on what respondents considered to be green spaces within their community and the eThekwini Municipality.
Other findings showed that the majority of respondents reside in close proximity to a range of green space types within the study area and make use of them. Research has shown that residents who live close to, and are given access to, green spaces will interact with them (Priego et al., 2008; Schipperijn et al., 2010). However, it should be noted that respondents’ use of green spaces was not dependent on their gender and income but was significantly influenced by their educational level. It was also found that respondents with a higher level of education tend to make more use of green spaces.
142 Another interesting finding was that respondents who chose not to make use of their surrounding green spaces indicated safety and security, time constraints and no interest as the most preventative factors, which were also identified in the literature as constraining factors, limiting the use of these areas (Jim and Chen, 2006; Perry et al., 2008; Schipperijn et al., 2010).
On the other hand, the respondents who engaged and interacted with these green areas favoured the use of recreational and social green spaces (parks, sports field, nature reserve and the golf course) within their communities and frequently used them. This can be attributed to the close proximity or rather easy accessibility of a wide range of green spaces within the urban matrix in which the respondent households are situated. Additionally, the results indicated that the majority of respondents’ motives for using green spaces appealed to the social dimension of the environment and are associated with social interaction, recreation, relaxation and contact with nature. The conclusion that can be drawn here is that respondents preferred using green spaces that contribute to an improved quality of life.
In terms of the green space resources respondents would like to access, the results showed that the majority of the respondents would like to access ecological (for example, fruit and medicinal plants) and social (for example, recreational spaces and green trails and pathways) resources within green spaces in their community. Furthermore, it was found that a large proportion of the respondents wanted increased access to green spaces and that their desire to have increased access to green spaces was not significantly influenced by socio-demographic variables like gender, education and income. Additionally, results showed that the majority of respondents desired increased access to green spaces that appeal to the social dimension of the environment (parks, gardens, nature reserves and sports fields), which correlated with previous findings pertaining to the types of green spaces respondents use and their motives for using urban green spaces. Moreover, it was evident that most respondents, if granted more access, would like these spaces located within their community. It was also noted that the type of green spaces that respondents wanted increased access to was very rarely dependent on socio- demographic variables like gender, education and income.
With regards to respondents’ level of agreement with specific statements pertaining to urban green spaces within their community, it was evident that respondents generally expressed more positive than negative views on green spaces, which bodes well for respondents’ potential impact on green spaces and conservation efforts within the area (Schipperijn et al., 2010;
Wright Wendel et al., 2012). Additionally, results showed respondents’ perceptions regarding
143 the safety and security of green spaces within their community to be significantly gender dependent. Moreover, income was shown to significantly influence respondents’ perceptions related to maintenance and quality concerns of these green spaces. In terms of the main challenges associated with green spaces within the community, respondents identified pollution (air pollution in particular) as the foremost challenge. In addition, dumping, lack of maintenance, safety and security and insufficient land allocated to green areas, were also found to be key concerns respondents associated with green spaces.
The results showed that respondents identified more negative than positive changes to green spaces within their community. Furthermore, many of the changes observed reflected similar findings in relation to some of the major challenges they perceived to be faced by green areas.
Most importantly, it was noted that more respondents perceived a decrease rather than an increase in the quantity and quality of green spaces.
Results pertaining to respondent views on how the selected green spaces within the study area should be used, showed that the majority of the respondents would like to see these green areas improved and maintained. These perceptions relate to the social quality (maintenance, aesthetics, recreation and crime) of green spaces which were also indicated in the literature as a key apprehension among residents in terms of their use of these areas (Jim and Chen, 2006;
Perry et al., 2008). Another noteworthy finding was that a significant proportion of respondents felt that the selected green spaces should either be retained as is, or conserved. This suggests that respondents value their surrounding green areas and would like to see them protected for future use. Furthermore, analysis of the data showed that while gender and education have no significant influence on respondent views on how green spaces within the study area should be used, respondent views on how coastal forest should be used was dependent on income. In this regard, a large proportion of respondents in higher income groups (>R30,000) would like to see coastal forest either improved and maintained, or conserved. It was also interesting to note that the majority of the respondents indicated they would like to see additional green spaces within the study area. Moreover, leading on from the above it was evident that respondents showed commonalities in their desire for additional green spaces in areas that already have large green spaces. Additionally, respondents perceived that it was not ideal to locate additional green spaces close to built areas. Overall, results showed that respondents are quite satisfied with the quality of green spaces in the study area and the eThekwini Municipality. In summary,
144 these findings suggest that the majority of the respondents exhibit an intrinsic relationship with these green areas and acknowledge their social and ecological benefits.
5.2.1.3. Environmentally-friendly practices of respondents
Environmentally-friendly practices followed by residents are an important component to consider when investigating human-nature relationships (Steg and Vlek, 2009). This study assessed the environmentally-friendly practices respondents engage in. Results showed that with the exception of reuse of water, water harvesting and composting of home waste, significant proportions of the respondents indicated that they often engage in numerous environmentally-friendly practices (for example, recycling, conserving electricity, planting of trees/ vegetation and proper disposal of waste). However, it must be noted that around a third of the respondents indicated that they dump waste in green spaces within the study area, suggesting that this is also an environmental concern within the area. Nevertheless, overall it was evident that the majority of respondents are environmentally conscious; a factor which bodes well for respondents’ behaviour towards green spaces as well as environmental quality and quality of life within the study area.
5.2.1.4. Respondents awareness and perceptions of the D’MOSS programme
The Durban Metropolitan Open Space System is the flagship conservation programme of the eThekwini Municipality (eThekwini Municipality, 2012), which calls for the formal creation and preservation of green spaces. The results obtained here though, showed that the vast majority of the respondents were unaware of the D’MOSS programme. This suggests that even though respondents understand the importance of green spaces and are supportive of their maintenance and/ or expansion, they are clearly unaware of the major programme designed to achieve these ends within the Municipality. Moreover, it was found that respondents who were familiar with D’MOSS were most aware of the fact that the programme sought to protect the environment and increase conservation awareness. However, the respondents were less aware of D’MOSS objectives that speak to more complex and/ or specific goals. Additionally, findings revealed that among respondents who were aware of D’MOSS, many were not fully satisfied with the current standing/ state of the D’MOSS programme and its specific objectives, with a significant proportion of respondents also indicating that the programme’s efficacy may be improved by enhancing awareness around it.
145 5.2.2. To assess the appropriateness of the typology presently used by the eThekwini