Sustainable Urban Green Space Planning in Response To Rapid Urbanization: The Case of Debre Berhan and Debre Markos, Ethiopia
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Date
2025-02-01
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Urban green spaces (UGS) play a vital role in enhancing the quality of life in cities, particularly in terms of resilience to climate change (Bressane et al., 2024). However, rapid urbanization has severely impacted these areas, especially during the densification of urban functions. Unplanned growth has led to significant losses in urban landscapes, vegetation, and ecosystems. In develop ing countries, including Ethiopia, the effectiveness of current practices in green space planning and development is being questioned, highlighting the need for improved quality and provision. This study evaluated the availability, accessibility, quality, user preferences, and constraints re lated to urban green spaces in the rapidly urbanizing cities of Debre Berhan and Debre Markos. A mixed–methods approach was employed, utilizing both qualitative and quantitative data. Sam pling techniques included probability and purposive sampling, with data gathered from document reviews, satellite imagery, field surveys, and insights from city administration offices and key informants. Tools for data collection included interviews, questionnaires, and document anal yses, with data processed using software such as SPSS and ArcGIS 10.8. The findings revealed a significant decline in vegetation cover in both cities from 2000 to 2020, with a marked transfor mation of green spaces and agricultural land into built environments. Many users stated that ur ban green spaces are neither accessible nor good quality. The planning of these spaces does not take into account users' preferences and perceptions. Users value green spaces for their recrea tional, aesthetic, and pollution-mitigating benefits. Notably, only quantitative standards were employed for green space planning, while alternative models remain unfamiliar in both cities. iii These results underscore the need for enhanced knowledge and strategies to effectively integrate and manage urban green spaces in rapidly urbanizing areas.
Keywords: Urban green spaces, accessibility, quality, land use land cover (LULC), green space planning