González, T.; Berger, P.; Sánchez, C.N.; Mahichi, F. Sustainability of Urban Parks: Applicable Methodological Framework for a Simple Assessment. Sustainability2023, 15, 15262.
González, T.; Berger, P.; Sánchez, C.N.; Mahichi, F. Sustainability of Urban Parks: Applicable Methodological Framework for a Simple Assessment. Sustainability 2023, 15, 15262.
González, T.; Berger, P.; Sánchez, C.N.; Mahichi, F. Sustainability of Urban Parks: Applicable Methodological Framework for a Simple Assessment. Sustainability2023, 15, 15262.
González, T.; Berger, P.; Sánchez, C.N.; Mahichi, F. Sustainability of Urban Parks: Applicable Methodological Framework for a Simple Assessment. Sustainability 2023, 15, 15262.
Abstract
Urban parks play a pivotal role in fostering the development of sustainable and smart cities, encompassing multifaceted dimensions of environmental, social, and economic significance. To effectively manage these urban parks, it is imperative to undertake an in-depth investigation of their environmental, social, and economic conditions, as well as their level of sustainability. However, there is currently a lack of readily applicable methodologies that comprehensively measure these benefits and provide a sustainability rating for urban parks. In this study, we propose a valuable tool that employs effective and affordable measures for the daily management of these green spaces. Our methodology is rooted in the three pillars of sustainability: environmental, social, and economic. Within these pillars, we have defined 19 indicators and 50 criteria, enabling a comprehensive assessment of park sustainability. This methodology is developed through the characterization and systematic documentation of the park’s day-to-day operations. To validate our methodology, we present a case study of Cárcamos Park, situated in the state of Guanajuato in Mexico, utilizing accurate operational data collected from January to December 2020. Through this real-life scenario, we demonstrate the high applicability and effectiveness of our methodology. The sustainability assessment of Cárcamos Park reveals a sustainability level of 57%, placing it within the medium sustainability range. Importantly, our methodology can also be incorporated during the design phase of new urban green spaces, offering flexibility and ease of application tailored to the unique characteristics of each park. Park managers can use our procedure and apply it to any park, evaluate their sustainability status and detect areas of opportunity. Our approach provides a comprehensive and practical tool for measuring and improving the sustainability of urban parks. Its simplicity and applicability make it accessible to anyone interested in creating a greener and more sustainable urban environment.
Keywords
sustainability; urban parks; green areas; sustainable cities
Subject
Environmental and Earth Sciences, Sustainable Science and Technology
Copyright:
This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
