Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Use and Perception of Urban Green Space

The worldwide spread of COVID-19 in 2020 posed severe challenges in the realm of public health and also resulted in social limitations, such as on access to parks and other public open spaces. The restrictions on movement and lockdowns that were imposed by many governments had profound implications, altering not only the frequency and purpose of urban green space visitation, but also the social and psychological effects which such green spaces had on citizens. This Special Issue gathered recent studies on how the need, perception and usage of green spaces have been impacted by the pandemic and the restriction measures, in order to provide insights and guidance for administrators and policy makers to manage future crisis situations. A total of 15 papers examine the effects of COVID-19 in different countries and even continents, offering various research methodologies and reflections on the role of urban green spaces in daily life. One of the recurring themes is that there is a general need to guarantee equitable access to these valuable resources, especially in times of societal disruption. The opportunities for relaxation, social interaction and spiritual regeneration are indeed important benefits that such natural amenities can offer, but they are very much dependent on the design and particular qualities of the space, which may decisively influence the level of satisfaction and engagement by users. It is our hope that by encouraging a communal discussion on the planning and management of urban green spaces, we can increase the resilience of both our cities and the natural environment on which they depend.