GREEN AREAS AND PUBLIC PARK PLANNING

Abstract

The analysis of some green areas systems and public parks of Curitiba (Brazil), Mexico City (Mexico), Madrid (Spain), New York (United States of America) and Santiago (Chile), exhibit common problems such as green area deficit, insecurity and social exclusion risks. The lack of monetary value of the services that these natural systems provide, such as recreation and conservation, leads to a different territorial assignment to this aim. Thus, the development of a typology is suggested according to the needs of each city or metropolitan area; it will be helpful for inventories that estimate social, economic and environmental indicators as well as to add new technologies such as the Geographic Information Systems and internet information devices that support such management. In park planning, public involvement is very important as a basic strategy to solve the aforementioned problems. Inclusive processes must be guaranteed, in particular, those concerned with the recreational demands of vulnerable social groups; besides that, it is suggested to assess the monetary of recreation and conservation through methods proposed by the environmental economy. Finally, it is mandatory to approach green planning through economic, social and environmental studies that promote the participation of society.