Integrating Urban Wildscapes into Sustainable City Planning: Public Acceptance and Development Challenges in Chiba, Japan

Author : Daer Su, Jie Chen, HongyuLi, Shixian Luo, Wanyue Ren, Takeshi Kinoshita

Abstract :Urban wildscapes (UWSs) offer sustainable solutions for urban ecosystem enhancement. This research explores public acceptance of UWSs within residential areas of Chiba, Japan, quantifying wildness via plant height and abundance to assess residents' preferences for unmanaged green spaces. The study identifies three critical findings for urban planning: (1) Public acceptance of highly wild vacant residential lots is low, linked to perceived safety risks, aesthetic displeasure, and potential economic disadvantages, highlighting the need for balanced ecological and community objectives through targeted management. (2) Quantitative indicators such as plant height and abundance provide planners with clear, objective metrics for assessing wildness, facilitating informed planning and public discussions. (3) Managing plant height significantly influences residents' feelings of safety and comfort, while negative impacts of plant abundance can be effectively minimized through regular maintenance and design interventions. The findings emphasize culturally sensitive approaches and offer actionable insights for integrating ecological benefits with community acceptance in urban planning.

Keywords :urban wildscapes, green spaces, wilderness, public preference, photo elicitation survey, accepted degree of wildness.

Conference Name :International Conference on Urban Studies, Planning and Development (ICUSPD-25)

Conference Place Bordeaux, France

Conference Date 12th Jun 2025