Distinctive and pleasant – Transformative concepts in landscape ecology: Social ecological green spaces (SEGS)

Abstract

Landscape means an area, as perceived by people, whose character is the result of the action and interaction of natural and/or human factors. Unfortunately, this definition hides different criticalities in relation to landscape analyses. In this perspective, landscape ecology should begin to consider ownership types, labour relations, and social perceptions of quality of life, moving towards a concept that can be defined as social ecological green spaces (SEGS). The need for a change fits well with the Adriatic City, which is characterized by a highly fragmented and heterogeneous landscape. First attempts of research show that people’s perception is strictly related to thermal conditions which are strictly related to elements capable of reducing outdoor temperature such as green areas and green canopies. Multidisciplinary approach will help to characterize what could be defined as SEGS, relating the aesthetic, health, and emotional components of the urban quality of life to the shape, distribution, and species composition of green areas.