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Urban green infrastructure produces and provides number of ecosystem services with cultural ecosystem services being high in perception and stated importance among people living in the cities. Since cultural ecosystem services are subjective, therefore challenging to quantify using proxies, creating knowledge about perception and use of cultural ecosystem services must include its users. PPGIS (public participation GIS) is a valuable tool which allows collecting rich array of data about the spatial distribution of diverse attributes related to cultural ecosystem services alongside additional data from non-experts to create a comprehensive overview of the topic. In the city of Zagreb, Croatia, perception of five categories of cultural ecosystem services were explored using focus group participatory mapping, namely place attachment, recreation, aesthetics, education, and cultural identity. Focus group participatory mapping gathered quantitative and qualitative data on the topic of perception and use of cultural ecosystem services in every city district in Zagreb. Spatial data was collected with placing markers designating respondent’s mentioned locations on a physical map of the respective city district. Based on 21 conducted focus groups throughout the city of Zagreb with 94 focus group participants in-depth data about perception and use of different parts of urban green infrastructure was collected. With digitizing, categorizing, and analysing collected spatial data 13 different types of urban green infrastructure were identified as provides of cultural ecosystem services in the city of Zagreb. Parks and forests were most often mentioned types of urban green infrastructure, although other types were mentioned as well. Besides, patterns in perception and use were distinguished indicating different perception and use among types thus subsequently need for addressing those differences in planning, management, and operational work. Newly created knowledge about perception and use of cultural ecosystem services in cooperation with users of those services can help informing and enhancing planning and management of tree-based urban green infrastructure in cities. Even though conducting focus groups with participatory mapping is lengthy process, collected data could be beneficial and added to the existing knowledge base to enhance urban green infrastructure in a way that keeps providing ecosystem services and being beneficial to citizens’ well-being.

PPGIS (Public Participation GIS) is a tool and methodological approach for collecting spatial data primarily from non-experts about different aspects concerning places of interest. It is proven that this approach is highly useful when dealing with intangible and subjective aspects of places such as cultural ecosystem services. In the city of Zagreb, the PPGIS questionnaire was employed as a data collection method to assess and quantify the spatial distribution of perception toward cultural ecosystem services and disservices provided by urban green spaces. Precise spatial data in a point shape was collected and employed for spatial analyses. Knowing the locations and types of urban green spaces that are perceived as providers of specific service or disservice can enhance our understanding of those places and their general importance for the beneficiaries. Spatial analysis results with, among others, cartographic representation of ecosystem services’ manifestation in an urban landscape, that is, hotspot maps. Within this work, hotspots maps are produced for 19 selected attributes of cultural ecosystem services (15) and disservices (4) throughout the city of Zagreb. Hotspot maps are further enhanced by calculating spatial autocorrelation between collected spatial points for each perception attribute separately. Results emerged with different maps of point spatial distribution, hence indicating diverse usage patterns and perceptions people in Zagreb hold toward urban green spaces. While some attributes such as Cultural Identity are spatially clustered revealing locations in Zagreb perceived to be more important for providing particular cultural ecosystem service or disservice, others such as Running resulted in a more dispersed spatial pattern. Results of calculating spatial autocorrelation between points further enhanced interpretation and provided numerical values that can be used to describe produced hotspot maps. Maps are powerful and effective tools when communicating spatial information to stakeholders and policymakers in being easy to comprehend. Perception-based assessment and quantification of the spatial distribution of cultural ecosystem services and disservices in Zagreb provided useful and understandable information. Hotspots represent locations that are highly recognised, however the resulting coldspots should be acknowledged too. PPGIS questionnaire employed in the city of Zagreb proved to be an effective tool for gathering meaningful spatial data which, properly analysed, can be used as a valuable citizen’s input for enhancing planning and management practices regarding urban green spaces in the city of Zagreb.

Participatory approaches in natural resource management are gaining momentum lately. When carried out properly, they produce important information, which can be used to inform planning and management based on the inputs from their direct users. The city of Zagreb has plenty of green spaces. However, insufficient public participation in green space planning and management leads to decisions that do not include public perceptions and opinions including those of green space users. This leads to green space management that does not meet public needs and expectations. Cultural ecosystem services of urban green infrastructure are important for citizens’ well- being. Focus group participatory mapping on the topic of cultural ecosystem services perception and use was employed for all districts of the city of Zagreb. In total, the focus groups consisted of 94 participants. Explored cultural ecosystem services were place attachment, recreation, aesthetic experiences, education, and cultural identity. Alongside focus group interviews, participatory mapping with participants had been conducted. Locations of certain cultural ecosystem services were recorded on a physical map and later digitalized. The qualitative analysis detected the most important attributes for each cultural ecosystem service category and tree-based urban green infrastructure type. The quantitative analysis further confirmed the results of the qualitative analysis, where place attachment, recreation and aesthetic experiences were more often mentioned, while education and cultural identity were less mentioned. Participatory approaches, such as focus group participatory mapping, are a highly useful methodological approach and tools for gathering a rich array of data on a specific phenomenon in public spaces. Even though it could be time- consuming, arguably, it is an efficient approach when there is lack of previous research and there is a need for deeper understanding, how people perceive and use urban green space. For governance and planning processes in green infrastructure that means that complete information is obtained from direct users producing new knowledge that is usually hard to capture using indicators or proxies, therefore, leading to better decision making. Besides, including public opinion in the planning and governance process increases the likelihood that future decisions are perceived positively and the process itself honest and inclusive.

Cultural ecosystem services of urban green spaces are important and often recognized as such by people living in urban areas. There is a lack of qualitative studies and understanding how people perceive cultural ecosystem services provided by different types of tree-based urban green space. The aim of the study was to explore whether and how citizens of Zagreb perceive and use cultural ecosystem services of different types of tree- based urban green spaces. Focus groups were conducted in each city district with its residents. Interviews were recorded, transcribed and transcripts analyzed in MAXQDA software. For data analysis we used the bottom up code- category-theme approach Results showed that place attachment, aesthetic and recreational services were more recognized than educational and cultural identity services. Most important single attributes for place attachment were positive memories and good maintenance, while most important categories were facilities, existence of emotional ties, possibility of experiences, recreational use and access. Presence of specific tree species and presence of trees in general were the most important attributes for aesthetic services, while possibility of experiences and trees were the most important categories. People perceived various cultural ecosystem services from tree-based urban green space, even though some services more than others. Forests and parks were recognized as those providing all investigated cultural ecosystem services. However, other types of green spaces were also recognized as bearers of these services, albeit with fewer services and attributes attached. Our findings support the importance of having access to different types of quality urban green spaces. The study provided a basis for later quantification of cultural ecosystem services of tree-based urban green space.

Today, Public participation GIS (PPGIS) are successfully employed in different spatial contexts and for a variety of purposes. PPGIS methods integrate collecting non-expert spatial and aspatial information in a participative process. Usually, results gathered using PPGIS are used to represent public opinion on a particular topic, e.g., to inform spatial planning and decision-making. Currently, there are various commercial and non-commercial – often open-source – PPGIS software packages available on the market. Here, we present the motivation for applying PPGIS methods, and introduce MyDynamicCity, a highly customizable, adaptive, and re-usable open- source PPGIS software. MyDynamicCity was used for collecting data in a PPGIS survey conducted for the city of Zagreb, Croatia, focusing on the mapping of selected cultural ecosystem services and ecosystem disservices related to the city’s urban green infrastructure, as perceived by the respondents. Furthermore, the survey sought to elicit contextual information, e.g., using open and close-ended questions, multiple choice, or Likert-scale items. The integration of open-source extensions, e.g., enabled as elements as part of a fully customizable front page, implements heatmaps of so far collected spatial data to inform other participants and provide preliminary results to the interested public. The high customization of MyDynamicCity helped designing and tailoring the PPGIS survey to the local context of Zagreb. While the survey is still open to participation, at this moment more than 200 people took part, ensuring richness of collected data and confirmation of software usability. MyDynamicCity could therefore find its application in diversity of projects for the benefit of research and society.

Over the last year, we have witnessed a COVID-19 pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV2 virus that has spread around the world unexpectedly fast. Besides the health aspect of the human population, a pandemic also affected the entire social and economic situation and relations around the world [1], [2]. The temporary closure of educational institutions and many service industries almost all over the world marked the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. In Croatia first wave started on March 16, 2020, when the Government of the Republic of Croatia issued the decision on suspension of teaching in higher education institutions, secondary and primary schools and the regular operation of pre-school education institutions and the establishment of distance learning. Physical distancing was among the most promoted measures aiming to slow down the spread of the virus [3]. The intensity of daily migrations has decreased, and many citizens have spent their days inside private housing. We were interested in whether the citizens used green urban areas in that period. The reasons, motivation, categories of green areas and the frequency of visits during the lockdown were examined and the obtained results were compared with the use of green areas by the same citizens in the period before the pandemic. The research was conducted through a web questionnaire in Croatia. City parks are the most visited category of green spaces before and during the lockdown. In order to avoid meeting other people, there was an increase in the use of green areas outside the city and the use of riverbanks. Besides the use of green areas before and during the lockdown, we assessed general thoughts on urban green areas, they showed that maintenance of existing as well as planning of future urban green areas are very important to respondents regardless of them living in the village, small or big cities. Most respondents emphasized the importance of having the nearest green area within a radius of 300 m from home. Respondents from villages were more content with the aesthetic side of green areas they are visiting than city residents. City residents stress the importance of having accessible public green space, as village dwellers prefer the presence of private green areas. Both would like to improve waste collection in the green areas they frequently use. Frequently suggested improvements that respondents shared included a wish of more green areas, more trees, better maintenance, more care for older trees and better acility infrastructure inside the green areas (dog parks, children’s playgrounds, sports equipment benches, tables and waste bins). Respondents also shared dissatisfaction with tree topping, frequently used pruning technique, which shows a deeper understanding of urban green spaces. The research showed the importance of urban greenery in the everyday life of citizens, as well as in times of crisis. Interestingly, the number of green area users increased during the lockdown, which also confirms to us the importance of urban green spaces. The collected data enabled a better understanding of the use of green areas in general and the perception of the same by citizens.

Urban green infrastructure (UGI) provides invaluable services and benefits for urban population contributing to their sense of wellbeing. Among these are cultural ecosystem services (CES). These are often defined as non- material benefits people obtain from ecosystems through spiritual enrichment, cognitive development, reflection, recreation, and aesthetic experiences (MEA, 2005). Despite their importance for urban population and the prevalence of cultural landscapes in Europe, these services are less explored than others. Urban planning and green space management is often expert-based and leaves out perception of citizens as users and beneficiaries of services and benefits UGI provides. This is very true for the city of Zagreb (Croatia) as well where our research took place. We used mixed method approach to explore perceptions of CES of UGI at the city level. Besides exploring perception of CES of UGI we also explored how CES is perceived based on the different types of UGI. We conducted focus groups in each city district (altogether 20 focus groups and 94 participants). Focus group participants also pointed on maps exact locations in which they perceive specific CES (namely place attachment, aesthetics, recreation, education, and cultural identity). Using spatial and statistical analyses we were able to find out how CES of UGI are distributed based on type of UGI and which types are perceived as providing more CES than others. We believe the results would be relevant for (urban) planners and managers of UGI.

Growing body of evidence links urban green infrastructure (GI) and quality of life of residents. With prevalence of cultural landscapes in Europe, demand for cultural ecosystem services increases as well. Cultural ecosystem services are defined as “the nonmaterial benefits people obtain from ecosystems through spiritual enrichment, cognitive development, reflection, recreation, and aesthetic experiences”. There is also increasing demand for including public in decision making related to planning and management of urban GI. Participatory mapping of cultural ecosystem services aims to collect information on how people perceive these services and disservices from urban GI in a way that it can be linked to specific location and assessed. This exercise helps identifying and quantifying cultural ecosystem services linked to particular type of GI that later serves as an input for planning and management. In this particular study mixed methodology is used to identify, quantify and map cultural ES and disservices from urban GI based on public perception, explore what affects the perception, and to give recommendation on how to include results of participatory mapping in current planning and management of urban GI. The study will be conducted in the city of Zagreb, the largest city in Croatia with a three-quarter million population. First phase includes series of focus groups with residents in each city district that would serve as orientation and input for the second phase, a webGIS/PPGIS survey. Since we are still in the first phase of the study, we will show results of several focus groups with residents. The benefit of the study is that it aims to grasp various cultural ecosystem services and disservices of urban GI and it is focused on entire city area, not only one particular park or forest. It includes and goes beyond recreational services, as the most studied cultural ecosystem service, and focuses as well on those that are not often used in similar studies.