Perception of Residents about Urban Vegetation: A Comparative Study of Planned Versus Semi-Planned Cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi, Pakistan

The present study compared opinions of south Asian planned (Islamabad) versus semi-planned (Rawalpindi) urban residents, regarding urban vegetation (ecological capital) and its usefulness. These urban areas known as twin cities lie in close vicinity but their contrasting contextual setting makes them a suitable case study. The locals were asked questions related to the importance of urban vegetation, changes in it over a period of time and resultant impacts (positive/negative). A majority (90%) of respondents opined that urban vegetation is beneficial while another big proportion (69.20%) believed vegetation cover changed over time and recent changes in urban vegetation were viewed negatively (55.80%). Statistical analysis revealed that respondents form both cities significantly differ in their point of view regarding ecological capital: usefulness of vegetation (p<0.02); urban vegetation cover changes (p<0.02) and its impacts (p<0.01). The study concluded that planning/contextual settings influence human perception about natural capital in urban settings. While, the people were equivocal in perceiving the vegetation change; the negative impacts were more felt by the people living in semi-planned area than the people living in the planned areas.