Recreation in the City-A Part of Cultural Ecosystem Services

Cultural ecosystem services (CES) are mainly intangible benefits, obtained by aesthetical and other experiences, recreation, learning and spiritual enrichment, or by the ability to distinguish values. In other words, what makes a service ‘cultural’ is its ‘non-economical’ character. CES are ecosystem services with direct impact on the quality of life in urban systems, and they are directly appreciated by inhabitants and visitors of these urban systems (Plieningeret al., 2013; Zulian et al., 2018). In order to satisfy the needs and expectations of the wider urban community, a ‘broader portfolio of areas’ is needed, which can meet the expectations of different users, from children to older adults. The new methodological approach tested on three model areas in the city of Nitra in the housing estate Chrenová was used to establish the level of benefits provided by existing vegetation areas in urban environment in terms of recreation as a CES. Following data were collected: the quality of vegetation, spatial design, management of vegetation elements, selected environmental aspects, available amenities and architectural elements needed for recreation. In our article, we present the assessment of vegetation in relation to the provision of recreation as a CES. Our results show that the assessed areas can be classified in the category of average to low provision of benefits related to recreation. Vegetation on area P1 is in good condition, mainly the quality of trees and shrubs was assessed as very good (4). Other areas (P2 and P3) assessed provide only low levels of benefits derived from recreation as one of the CES. This was caused by some vegetation deficiencies (mainly related to horticultural and compositional aspects). Methodological approach can be used for different vegetation areas in urban environment and after suitable modifications (e.g. adding other components for assessment) also for different cultural ecosystems services. The results can be used in landscape planning documents or in other types of documents dealing with the quality of vegetation in urban environment.