Exploring the Nexus between Green Space Availability, Connection with Nature, and Pro-Environmental Behavior in the Urban Landscape

Shruti Ashish Lahoti (), Shalini Dhyani, Mesfin Sahle, Pankaj Kumar and Osamu Saito
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Shruti Ashish Lahoti: Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES), Hayama 240-0115, Japan
Shalini Dhyani: Critical Zone Research Group, Water Technology and Management Division, National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-NEERI), Nagpur 440020, India
Mesfin Sahle: Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES), Hayama 240-0115, Japan
Pankaj Kumar: Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES), Hayama 240-0115, Japan
Osamu Saito: Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES), Hayama 240-0115, Japan

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 13, 1-15

Abstract: The correlation between connecting with nature and fostering pro-environmental behavior is essential to attaining sustainability targets. However, understanding how this connection is cultivated, particularly in the urban settings of the Global South, remains limited. This study delves into the impact of urban green space (UGS) availability on perceived connection with nature (CN) and its subsequent influence on pro-environmental behavior (PEB) among urban residents, focusing on Nagpur city. Employing a digital survey tool, data were collected from 2414 participants across ten administrative zones. Descriptive and exploratory analyses alongside multinomial logistic regression were conducted to assess variable associations using R programming. The results revealed that 91% of respondents frequented UGSs, while a smaller fraction cited time constraints for not visiting. Notably, respondents’ perceived CN demonstrated significant associations with both UGS availability and PEB. A regression analysis underscored stronger PEB among those reporting a deeper connection with nature. Furthermore, demographic factors such as gender, age, and education were linked to variations in PEB. This study advocates for leveraging UGSs to bolster CN and PEB among urban populations, emphasizing the pivotal role of urban planning in nurturing human–nature connections. Future research should explore specific nature contact modalities conducive to fostering connectedness, especially in rapidly urbanizing locales.

Keywords: connection with nature; urban green spaces; pro-environmental behavior; sustainability; urban (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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