Resumo

GOMEZ, Alejandro; COSTA, Cláudia  e  SANTANA, Paula. Accessibility and use of urban green spaces in the cities of Coimbra (Portugal) and Salamanca (Spain). Finisterra [online]. 2014, n.97, pp.49-68. ISSN 0430-5027.

Accessibility and use of urban green spaces in the cities of Coimbra (Portugal) and Salamanca (Spain). In a society that values more and more wellbeing, health and free time, the introduction of urban green spaces (UGS) next to residential areas has become a citizen's right and requirement. This paper analyses the distribution and accessibility of UGS in the cities of Coimbra and Salamanca and evaluates their influence on the needs of the resident populations, in terms of users' age, frequency of usage, as well as of motivation and ways to enjoy the facilities. In Coimbra there is a con- centration of UGS, whereas in Salamanca there is a dispersion of such spaces, which has resulted in the different usage that people make of them. In fact, although Coimbra offers more urban green space (per inhabitant), their usage is reduced as people go there mainly by car, contrary to what happens in Salamanca. Consequently, Coimbra's inhabitants choose these green spaces because of the activities they can be used for, whereas Salamanca's inhabitants choose them for their proximity.

Palavras-chave : Urban green spaces; urban space; public space; usage of green spaces; Coimbra; Salamanca.

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