Relating Knowledge and Perception of Sustainable Landscape Practices to the Adoption Intention of Environmentally Friendly Landscapes

The influence of traditional residential landscapes on humans and the environment has provoked a discussion on maintaining landscapes in a sustainable way and conserving water resources. Traditional American landscapes require water-intensive management. Previous research has discussed potential negative impacts on the environment from prevalent improper landscaping maintenance techniques. To mitigate long-term consequences, sustainable landscape management programs aim at protecting the environment from harmful inputs and conserving water. Among alternative practices, converting fully turfgrass lawns to sustainable landscapes is recommended. The Florida Friendly Landscaping (FFLTM) initiative is one such program designed to minimize negative impacts while maintaining and improving landscapes’ aesthetic characteristics. Although technological advancements in lawn care services have rapidly developed in the past few decades (e.g., smart irrigation systems), the level of homeowners’ knowledge and perceptions regarding sustainable practices are still at the forefront of potential factors that influence the widespread adoption of sustainable lawn management. Relatively few studies have investigated how homeowners’ knowledge and perceptions of sustainable landscapes affect adoption decisions. This study adapted Ajzen’s theory of planned behavior as a framework to examine how individuals’ knowledge and perceptions of sustainable landscapes influence their adoption intention, and to predict their pro-environmental behavior. We found that homeowners’ knowledge about lawns and landscapes (more knowledgeable) is positively correlated with their sustainable landscape adoption intention. Additionally, homeowners’ perceptions of landscape conservation practices (more agreeable with sustainable landscape practices) are positively correlated with sustainable landscape adoption intentions. The implications for policymakers and water conservation programs are discussed.

Activating biophilic design patterns as a sustainable landscape approach

Biophilic design elements are found around us in many landscape elements while we do not perceive them as biophilic design patterns. By developing our understanding of biophilic design as a phenomenon, we could discover simple ways to utilize landscape elements and transform them into a good biophilic design that might have positive impacts on a user’s health and well-being. Activating existing biophilic elements as an approach to a sustainable landscape has not been studied yet. Therefore, we rather analyse some international case studies in order to understand how biophilic design patterns can be implemented and see their different forms. Later, we will also go through an Egyptian biophilic design pattern case study and implement it to reach a sustainable landscape model. To summarize, the purpose of this study is to present a new sustainable landscape approach by activating biophilic design patterns in order to increase landscape efficiency.

Rearrangement of green open space along Krueng Aceh based on sustainable urban riverfront

One of the city government’s programs to upgrade the representation of Banda Aceh as a green city was to revitalize the open space of krueng Aceh riverbanks. However, such a work has been progressing slowly. Although some wide banks area have been processed into parks, but, some other areas especially those with narrow areas in sizes of the banks have not been upgraded. Currently, these areas, with less green, have been becoming slum where some illegal settlements occurred. In general, the area along Aceh riverbanks has not been design comprehensively, since there has insecure public accessibility, irregular park zoning, un functioned water tourism facilities, un proper waste management system, and un balanced socio-economic conditions in relation to local environmental conditions. The purpose of this study is to identify the characteristics of green open space at the Krueng Aceh riverbanks, Banda Aceh City and formulate criteria for structuring Green Open Spaces based on Sustainable Urban Riverfront. This research uses descriptive qualitative research method. The research instrument used was interviews, field observations, literature studies. Data analysis was carried out in a qualitative descriptive manner with data reduction analysis techniques, data presentation and conclusion. The results of this study are the design recommendations for Green Open Space (GOS) that apply the principles of sustainable urban riverfront. The development of the potential of the Krueng Aceh riverbank as a green open space is expected to be a sustainable landscape and able to support the function of the area from the ecological, social, and economic aspects.

Ecosystem Services Monitoring in the Muthurajawela Marsh and Negombo Lagoon, Sri Lanka, for Sustainable Landscape Planning

In this study, we examined the impacts of urbanization on the natural landscape and ecosystem services of the Muthurajawela Marsh and Negombo Lagoon (MMNL) located in the Colombo Metropolitan Region, Sri Lanka, with the goal to help inform sustainable landscape and urban planning. The MMNL is an important urban wetland ecosystem in the country but has been under the immense pressure of urbanization where the natural cover (e.g., marshland and mangrove areas) is continuously being converted to urban use (e.g., residential and commercial). Here, we estimated and assessed the changes in the ecosystem service value (ESV) of the MMNL based on land use/cover (LUC) changes over the past two decades (1997–2017). Considering two plausible scenarios, namely a business-as-usual (BAU) scenario and ecological protection (EP) scenario, and using a spatially explicit land change model, we simulated the future (2030) LUC changes in the area and estimated the potential consequent future changes in the ESV of the MMNL. The results revealed that from 1997 to 2017, the ESV of the MMNL decreased by USD 8.96 million/year (LKR 1642 million/year), or about 33%, primarily due to the loss of mangrove and marshland from urban expansion. Under a BAU scenario, by 2030, it would continue to decrease by USD 6.01 million/year (LKR 1101 million/year), or about 34%. Under an EP scenario, the projected decrease would be lower at USD 4.79 million/year (LKR 878 million/year), or about 27%. Among the ecosystem services of the MMNL that have been, and would be, affected the most are flood attenuation, industrial wastewater treatment, agriculture production, and support to downstream fisheries (fish breeding and nursery). Overall, between the two scenarios, the EP scenario is the more desirable for the sustainability of the MMNL. It can help flatten its curve of continuous ecological degradation; hence, it should be considered by local government planners and decision-makers. In general, the approach employed is adaptable and applicable to other urban wetland ecosystems in the country and the rest of the world.

Park users’ perception and preference of public park in Bogor City post Large Scale Social Restriction (LSSR)

On 31st March 2020, Indonesia pulls out a large scale social restriction (LSSR) policy to depress the spread of Covid19. The regulation leads to the lay-off of schools, workplaces, worship places, and public facilities, including public parks. Despite the time, it is only a matter of time until the new normal and reopening of all public facilities. For that, public parks as public facilities should be prepared in a way before it is reopened so as not to worsen the situation or even create a new pandemic wave. It is an excellent opportunity to build better by applying health protocol for a healthier future, and transforming the future sustainable landscape. This research is studying two public parks in Bogor City, a satellite city of the megapolitan Jakarta area, which affected the most by Covid19, i.e.,, Sempur Park and Kencana Park. This research aims to explore users’ perceptions and preferences of using public parks to plan health protocol for public parks in the new normal era. Data collected through an online questionnaire survey. As much as 192 responses are analyzed. Data and instruments are valid and reliable, with an overall Cronbach alpha value of 0.896. Results showed that the perception of park use pre-LSSR and post-LSSR was significantly different. The trend of park use was similar but at different levels. This indicates that the motivation and willingness to visit and use public parks is decreasing, therefore applying health protocol is a necessity in the future. This study also found that existing parks perceived to be quite appropriate in accordance with health protocols and need to be moderately modified. Another finding was that the considered most required health protocols application were procurement of handwashing facility, park benches placed at least 1 meter apart, and solitary park bench. It is elicited that despite the type of park, the visitors’ preference was the same.