The Value of Urban Parks in Lodz

Abstract

Abstract An awareness of the role of public space is growing among the inhabitants of cities. This space is an integral part of our daily lives. It consists of places outside the home where we spend free time, i.e. the streets we walk on, the squares and greeneries where we meet, as well as playgrounds, parks and green areas where we rest and do sports. The quality of such space affects many aspects of human life. Positive trends in terms of growing public awareness do not, however, seem to be reflected in the awareness and actions of public entities in Poland, strong evidence of which are the widely criticized amendments of regulations governing the felling of trees. The goal of this article is to present the different dimensions of the value of urban parks, as well as to apply the direct use approach to measure the recreational value of the park system in Lodz. Expressing different aspects of the value of public space, especially parks, in monetary units and incorporating these values in spatial planning analysis can contribute to a significant improvement in the quality of life of urban dwellers and their perception of urban space.