Understanding Coastal Residents’ Perception on Urban Green Spaces in Benin, West Africa

Urban green spaces have several benefits for humans and environment as ecosystem services that are neglected underestimated in developing countries. This study was undertaken to assess the importance of UGS citizens’ communities, evaluate threats their viability, identify participatory strategies locally applicable urban space viability three cities (Ouidah, Cotonou Porto-Novo) Benin. Surveys were conducted with a questionnaire 360 respondents selected from cities. Data analyzed belonging socioeconomic variables such age, gender, educational levels. Chi-square test, correlations through corrplot packages, Principal Component Analysis also performed under R software. Results reveal six services: shading, air pollutants absorption, aesthetics, recreation, medicinal uses, economic benefit. However, communities consider dumping waste, mosquito lodges, roads buildings cracking roots. These disturbances differed significantly between (χ2 = 110.65; p < 0.001) categories interviewees 25.32; 0.004). illegally cut, debarked, pruned, topped, rooted. Otherwise, communities' willingness participate management varies gender. Therefore, play an important role surrounding it’s urgent ensure these ecosystems.