Perceptions and use of public green space is influenced by its relative abundance in two small towns in South Africa

The challenges in planning and maintaining urban public green spaces in poor towns of the developing world differ markedly from those of the developed world. This paper reports on residents’ perceptions, use and willingness to get involved in urban public green space (PGS) issues in two poor towns in South Africa which differed markedly in the amount of PGS. The disparities in PGS between the two towns were also replicated in different suburbs within the two towns. We hypothesised that levels of dissatisfaction would be highest in those suburbs and the town with the least PGS. The results indicated that the distance from residents’ homesteads to the nearest PGS was similar across towns and suburbs. Most residents felt that having accessible PGS was important, and the majority agreed that there was insufficient PGS in their respective town and suburb, and that the local municipality did not do enough in providing PGS or maintaining what there was. The level of dissatisfaction with the amount and condition of PGS was generally highest in the suburbs and town with the least PGS. Many felt that the municipality had insufficient commitment and funds to adequately maintain PGS, and consequently the willingness of residents to get involved through either a commitment of time or funds was high. The more affluent town and suburbs were willing to pay more than the poorer ones, and the poorer ones were willing to provide more time than the more affluent ones.

► Nearly all survey respondents in two small towns in the poorest province in South Africa, viewed PGS as important, for a variety of reasons.
► Respondents in suburbs and towns with the least PGS were most dissatisfied with the quantity and maintenance of PGS.
► Willingness to pay for PGS maintenance, in time or money, was influenced by relative affluence of the respondents.
► Poor communities in a developing country are sensitive to the availability of PGS and the benefits it provides.