| Summary: | The high rate of loss of urban green spaces is reducing
connectivity between people and nature, and the ability
of the urban population to appreciate and enjoy the natural environment. However, not much is known about
the extent to which ongoing efforts at planning green
infrastructure are influencing residents’ connectedness
to nature, especially in cities in sub-Saharan Africa. This
study investigates the influence of green infrastructure
(GI) on residents’ self-perceived connectedness with nature in selected residential neighbourhoods in Lagos, Nigeria. Through a multi-stage sampling technique, 1,560
residents were included in a survey and the data were
analysed using descriptive and categorical regression analyses. The results showed that, although the residents were
generally dissatisfied with the quality and quantity of GI
in their neighbourhoods, they felt that the existing GI
has a significant positive influence on their connection
to nature. The regression analysis also revealed that the
current state and availability of green areas for relaxation
in the neighbourhoods were the two GI characteristics
with the most influence on residents’ sense of connectedness to nature. These findings are instructive in noting
that, to improve the urban population’s connectedness
to nature using GI, city planners and managers should
pay specific attention to providing and maintaining green
areas for relaxation in residential neighbourhoods in the
study area and beyond.
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