Sustainable Development of Urban Green Areas for Quality of Life Improvement—Argument for Increased Citizen Participation

Mihaela Constantinescu, Andreea Orîndaru, Ștefan-Claudiu Căescu and Andreea Pachițanu
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Mihaela Constantinescu: Marketing Department, The Bucharest University of Economic Studies, Bucharest 010404, Romania
Andreea Orîndaru: Marketing Department, The Bucharest University of Economic Studies, Bucharest 010404, Romania
Ștefan-Claudiu Căescu: Marketing Department, The Bucharest University of Economic Studies, Bucharest 010404, Romania
Andreea Pachițanu: Marketing Department, The Bucharest University of Economic Studies, Bucharest 010404, Romania

Sustainability, 2019, vol. 11, issue 18, 1-16

Abstract: Considering the imperative need for sustainable urban development, this article argues for increased citizen participation in the decision-making process, as it generates better outcomes (due to a wider range of perspectives) and also makes people better citizens, as they will be partially responsible for the results. One major dimension of urban areas’ which needs a sustainable development is represented by parks, which can be directly associated to citizens’ quality of life (QoL). Thus, we have conducted direct research (face-to-face interviews) of park visitors in order to analyze the perceived impact of green areas on their quality of life. From all the QoL dimensions, we have selected six which are directly linked to park visits—health (mental and physical), social interaction, education and culture, family life, freedom, and connection with nature—in order to determine the perceived degree of association between them, as well as the specific activities done in the park that impact those six dimensions. The research results were used to develop a conceptual model which links quality of life to park visits, a model that can and should be used by public authorities in order to build a collaborative process for urban sustainable development.

Keywords: quality of life; urban green areas; urban sustainability; citizen participation; quantitative marketing research (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:18:p:4868-:d:264666

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