Multicultural perspectives on urban green spaces
Context
Evidence indicates that an individual’s socio-demographic and cultural background influences how urban nature is viewed, valued and used, with the ideologies, values and so forth inscribed in urban nature provision important in this process. In cities with diverse populations, we might expect diverse attitudes towards urban green spaces. To ensure the varied health, social and wellbeing benefits of these spaces are maximised, and are realised by all, a better understanding of how they are perceived and used by different groups is needed.
Aims and Objectives
This YESI International Fellows project aimed to organise conversations between researchers, community members and policy makers with interests in the provision, use and benefits of urban green space for the purpose of scoping out a future research agenda on multicultural perspectives on urban green space. Visits to urban green spaces in the UK were completed with the aim of exploring how these environments might be viewed and used by different groups. Finally, the project aimed to facilitate knowledge exchange through researcher discussions and a research seminar for staff and students at York from the project's visiting fellow.
Project Outputs
YESI International Fellows seminar: The Ecosystem Services of Lahore's Urban Parks:
Dr Hanif shared her achievements after her Fellowship. Appearing on 1 August and 3 November 2024 on the satellite channel Lahore News HD, to discuss the importance and maintenance of ecosystem services to mitigate the environmental challenges in Lahore, Pakistan. Click on the picture below to view the panel discussion on 1 August (in Urdu).
Click on the picture below to view the panel discussion on 3 November 2024 (in Urdu).
She also published a news article on the "Role of ecosystem services in mitigation of Smog in Lahore" on 3 November 2024 in National newspaper "Roznama Dunya" (in Urdu).
On 26 November 2024 as part of GIS Day celebrations, Dr Hanif shared her experience and learnings from the YESI International Fellows scheme with colleagues at Lahore College for Women University, and was awarded the Shield of Honor by Dr Nausheen Mazhar, Associate Professor and Chairperson - Department of Geography, LCWU.
Dr Katherine Brookfield, Environment and Geography, University of York
Bio: Katherine Brookfield is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Environment and Geography at the University of York. At the core of Katherine's research is an exploration of the relationships between people and their environment. Her work spans various contexts, delving into the intricate dynamics of urban design, housing market influences, and the production and impacts of systems of spatial regulation.
Katherine’s research often addresses issues of quality of life, examining the multitude of factors that can either enhance or impede a 'good' quality of life. Her portfolio encompasses studies on aids and barriers to social and political participation, age-friendly housing and built environments, supportive settings for stroke survivors, and the social, economic, and environmental outcomes of planning policy and economic development strategies.
Dr Aysha Hanif, Department of Geography, Lahore College for Women University
Bio: Dr Aysha Hanif is an Assistant Professor in the department of Geography at Lahore College for Women University, Lahore Pakistan.
Dr Hanif’s research explores the role of urban parks in providing ecosystem services for peoples physical and mental well-being. Her research also focuses on ways to achieve Sustainable development goal 11, to make sustainable cities and communities through the contribution of urban green spaces in mitigating environmental challenges. She is currently a YESI International Fellow at the University of York.