Environmental Attitudes and Perception of Cultural Ecosystem Services (Case Study: Neighborhood parks in Tehran)

Sadeghi, Zahra; Sad Berenji, Shina; Parvizi, Elham

doi:10.30473/ee.2025.74729.2853

Environmental Attitudes and Perception of Cultural Ecosystem Services (Case Study: Neighborhood parks in Tehran)

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

¹ Assistant Professor, Faculty of Art and Architecture, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran

² Ph.D. in Landscape Architecture, Faculty of Art and Architecture, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran

10.30473/ee.2025.74729.2853

Abstract

The rapid pace of urbanization has intensified environmental problems that adversely affect human well-being. Urban parks play a critical role in addressing these challenges by providing Ecosystem Services (ES) that support public health and quality of life. Among these, Cultural Ecosystem Services (CES) are particularly important, as they reflect people’s connection with nature in urban areas and contribute to overall well-being. This study examines the relationship between socio-demographic factors and CES perception, focusing on gender, age, attention to the landscape, and environmental attitudes. Environmental attitudes, measured using the New Ecological Paradigm (NEP) scale, are key to promoting collaborative environmental protection. Using an analytical-descriptive approach, 400 neighborhood park users were surveyed through stratified random sampling. Data were collected via a structured questionnaire, validated with factor analysis and Cronbach’s alpha, and analyzed using multiple linear regression. The results indicate that gender, age, and attention to the landscape do not significantly influence CES perception. In contrast, pro-environmental attitudes positively affect it. Individuals with eco-oriented perspectives are more likely to engage in recreational and social activities within parks, enhancing their well-being. This influence manifests in two ways: increased appreciation of CES, particularly recreational and social values, which improves mental and physical health; and greater environmental protection, as these individuals avoid behaviors that harm green spaces. The findings highlight the need to shift public perspectives from anthropocentric to ecocentric. Promoting pro-environmental attitudes requires raising environmental awareness and knowledge across diverse social groups, supported by collaborative planning and educational initiatives to improve CES perception and utilization in urban green spaces.

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