Residents? environmental perception in a polluted river in Buenos Aires metropolitan area

FAGGI ANA; VOIGT ANNETTE; GUIDA JOHNSON BARBARA; SCHNELLINGER JOHANNA

Congreso; Congress of the Society for Urban Ecology (SURE); 2013

Riparian landscapes have fascinated humans throughout time and have inspired painters and writers alike. They have a strong influence on humans? quality of life, especially in urban regions, where rivers and watersides play a crucial role in recreation, nature experience and attachment to places. Unfortunately, human impacts on rivers are still considerable in many parts of the world, as in the Matanza-Riachuelo watershed, one of the most polluted in Argentina. It is dominated by one of the 27 world?s megacities (Buenos Aires) downstream, while in the upper basin agriculture almost completely replaced natural grasslands. The main river is extremely polluted due to industrial discharges and sewage effluents and is mostly canalized. The aim of this study is to evaluate the environmental perception of local residents in this watershed area as a foundation for designing appropriate management. Face-to-face interviews (n = 158) were conducted with people living up to 500 m from the river shore using a structured questionnaire. We analysed 111 variables including personal data, attitudes and opinions about riparian areas (visiting pattern to river banks, activities and uses, green areas preference, assessment of water quality, health and security risks, etc.). Although, most respondents like their neighbourhoods because of social ties and green spaces, half of them dislike living near streams because of water pollution, low aesthetic value and insecurity. While 56% like to visit parks, only very few mention that riparian areas have aesthetic value. Almost 70% blame pollution for decreasing value and believe that this is caused by people disposing garbage inappropriately and authorities not performing proper maintenance. Despite that, 30.4% of respondents can imagine the improvement of these areas and some of them, especially women, are even willing to take part in it. Results show the need for collaboration between authorities and neighbors and also for promoting measures to enhance the environmental awareness to improve the environmental quality.