PAYSAGE ET TERRITOIRES

Combined provision of social and ecological functions of urban green spaces (UGSs) can facilitate sustainable development by combating the adverse effects of rapid urban growth. However, barriers and opportunities of such provision need to be better understood so that policy-makers and managers can ensure their benefits are realised. This paper addresses this by investigating user and manager preferences for different types, characteristics, facilities and activities associated with UGSs, and by exploring academic and managerial perceptions about policy and management practices. Empirical evidence from two UK cities – Manchester and Leeds – revealed that the barriers and opportunities to combining social and ecological functions in UGSs were linked to user demand; knowledge and understanding about UGS functions; and budget/funding. The research also indicated that addressing these issues would require the active promotion of a number of key priority areas. These included enhancing awareness and knowledge amongst both users and managers, the development of management guidelines linked to combining functions, and better use of context specific measures grounded in innovative techniques.