Evaluating the visitors' perception and available ecosystem services in urban parks of Lahore (Pakistan)

• Main Authors: Hanif, Aysha, Shirazi, Safdar A., Jabbar, Muhammad, Liaqat, Anum, Zia, Sahar, Mohd Yusoff, Mariney
• Format: Article
• Published: Russian Geographical Society 2022
• Subjects: G Geography (General)
• Online Access: http://eprints.um.edu.my/44104/
• Institution: Universiti Malaya

Ecosystem services provided by urban parks play a significant role in visitors’ well-being. The provision of these services depends upon the well-designed green spaces built to fulfil the needs of people. As these services are linked with visitors’ well-being, particular emphasis to indicate them is needed. However, minimal documentation is found regarding these valuable services, particularly in the context of Lahore. So, in this study, an effort was made to highlight visitors’ preferences for the available ecosystem services provided by urban parks in Lahore, Pakistan. These ecosystem services are beneficial in enhancing the well-being of people. Fifteen parks in Lahore were selected in this study to highlight the visitors’ preferences in visiting the parks. A questionnaire-based survey was conducted in these parks to collect information. The questionnaire was compiled to record socio-demographical profiles, usage patterns, choices, and visitors’ opinions about the services provided by the parks. A total of 300 responses were recorded to depict the survey findings. The result highlights that 60-80 of visitors like to come to the parks having maximum services regardless of how distant is from their residence. It also reveals that large-sized parks with maximum facilities attract more visitors than small and medium-sized parks. As in these parks, people only from neighbouring areas visit due to their accessibility. The findings will be helpful for the managers and planners of the urban park to improve the ecosystem services for the well-being of people. It will also indicate the choices of people based on that information, the status of parks can be improved, and new parks can be developed to meet the visitors’ needs. © 2022, Russian Geographical Society. All rights reserved.