A gendered analysis of community perceptions and attitudes towards green spaces in a Durban Metropolitan residential area: Implications for climate change mitigation

abstract

Understanding how people perceive green spaces in their surrounding environments is important for planning of residential areas in a city. Green spaces provide various benefits to communities in the form of recreation, education, relaxation and aesthetic appeal. This Article reports on research on residents' opinions and understanding of green spaces and their access and use of green spaces. It also assesses perceptions regarding climate change and the value of urban green spaces in mitigating against climate change impacts and threats. The importance of urban green spaces in the context of climate change is well documented, specifically to relieve the impacts of increased temperatures and natural disaster events. It also plays a critical role in preserving biodiversity and improving air quality. While several studies focus on residents' perceptions of green spaces, very few (if any) examine differences between men and women. This Article disaggregates results from a resident survey conducted in the South Durban Area (SDA), one of the most environmentally contested locations in South Africa. In total, 200 households residing in close proximity to the Bluff Conservancy were interviewed. Key thematic issues examined include differences in the way in which men and women value and use green spaces, attitudes towards green spaces, the types of green spaces that respondents prefer accessing, knowledge of green spaces and links to climate change. It was found that a greater proportion of men used existing green spaces within their community. Differences in terms of how men and women value and perceive green spaces were also noted. This study concludes that there is a gendered dimension to residential perceptions of the use of green spaces and this should be considered in the formulation of climate change policy and urban planning efforts.

keywords:

• gender
• green spaces
• climate change
• South Durban Area
• resident survey

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Sarushen Pillay

SARUSHEN PILLAY has a BSc and BSc Honours in Environmental Sciences from the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN). In addition, he is currently pursuing a MSc in urban conservation, also at UKZN. His studies have equipped him with a number of useful skills in both the physical and social aspects of Environmental Sciences. Sarushen also demonstrated and tutored undergraduate courses at UKZN allowing him to be exposed in the relevant environmental management issues, protocols and tools. His involvement in campus activities such as these has also provided the opportunity for him to be involved in research projects undertaken by UKZN, such as the COP17 event allowing him to develop skills in project design and management. Furthermore, Sarushen has served as a research assistant at UKZN in the School of Biology also allowing him to broaden his skills set. Sarushen's main interests lie in urban ecology and urban conservation research. His research has focused on analysing resident perceptions of urban green spaces within the eThekwini Municipality. Additionally his work has also been presented at the eThekwini University Research Symposium. Email: [email protected]

Rashmeer Pahlad

RASHMEER PHALAD obtained her BSc Environmental Science undergraduate degree in 2012 and on completion was accepted for the Honours programme in BSc Environmental Science at the University of KwaZulu-Natal which she completed in 2013. She is currently employed, as a graduate in training, in an environmental consulting and research firm, LINKD Pty, that specialise in sustainable development whilst gaining experience in all aspects of the consultation and research working environment. She is keen on gaining more field experience and hopes to start a masters research project when the time is right. Email: [email protected]