New study: Urban green spaces in times of COVID-19 pandemics, 2020

Authors of Research: Aleš Smrekar and Jernej Tiran

Year of Research:  2020

Keywords: health, quality of life, sport, environment, recreation and amusement, lifestyle and health, public health, human environment, sports participation, open spaces and recreational areas, rural environment, urban environment, COVID-19

In the spring of 2020, researchers from the Anton Melik Geographical Institute, ZRC SAZU, conducted a survey on a representative sample of the JazVem.si online panel, the aim of which was to investigate how social isolation measures during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic affected the use of public green spaces, both in urban and rural areas. The questionnaire was answered by n=742 persons, of which n=520 answered the entire questionnaire and n=222 answered only the basic questions. The authors also identified the factors that typically attract visitors and assessed the effects of social isolation on the use and perception of public green spaces. Public green spaces have numerous benefits for individuals and society. Spending time in these areas can help to cope with the negative physical and mental health impacts of various stressful events. In times of social crises, these effects can be increased. In 2020, visiting these areas was affected by restrictions to limit the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. This period was characterised by pronounced health risks and behavioural changes. The latter led to significant changes in people’s mobility patterns.

Cite the data:

Smrekar, A. and Tiran, J.  (2024). Urban green spaces in times of COVID-19 pandemics, 2020 [Data file]. Ljubljana: Univerza v Ljubljani = University of Ljubljana, Arhiv družboslovnih podatkov = Slovenian Social Science Data Archives. ADP - IDNo: JZPE20. https://doi.org/10.17898/ADP_JZPE20_V1