Abstract
Understanding local community perceptions is an important first step in seeking ways to revitalize degraded urban streams. This research sought to understand community perceptions of the highly modified Parnamirim stream in the city of Recife, Brazil and to solicit perspectives on potential for revitalization of the stream before and after discussion of such possibilities using a photo-elicitation-based approach. Structured interviews were conducted with 167 residents situated close to the stream using three photographs of urban streams in various stages of modification and revitalization to prompt responses regarding preferences and opportunities for stream revitalization. While a majority of respondents overall indicated that the Parnamirim stream currently looks like a degraded stream (as depicted in one photograph), these perceptions generally matched the characteristics of the stream in their particular area of residence, indicating that people’s perceptions are influenced by the quality of their immediate environment. However, after the brief discussion of urban stream revitalization practices, there was overall positive response for Parnamirim stream to become like the photograph of the revitalized stream shown to participants. Our findings point to the power and utility of the photo-elicitation method in terms of provoking emotional and cognitive responses to local environmental conditions and in promoting changed community perceptions of possible Parnamirim stream revitalization and its future potential. The potential for social desirability bias to influence community perceptions is acknowledged regarding the post-discussion preferences and comments regarding the potential for revitalization of Parnamirim stream. Nevertheless, the research demonstrates the value of engagement in discussion and ideas sharing with community members through the use of photo-elicitation and such approaches may represent an important first step in realizing urban stream revitalization.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Abraham, E. M. G., Martin, A., Cofie, O., Raschid-Sally, L., & Mensah Abraham, E. (2016). Perceptions, attitudes and behaviours toward urban surface water quality in Accra, Ghana. Management of Environmental Quality: An International Journal, 27(5), 491–506. https://doi.org/10.1108/MEQ-07-2015-0122.
Anderson, B. A., Romani, J., Philips, H., Wentzel, M., & Kholadi, T. (2007). Exploring environmental perception, behaviours and awareness: Water and water pollution in South Africa. Population and Environment, 28, 133–161. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11111-007-0038-5.
Asakawa, S., Yoshida, K., & Kazuo, Y. (2004). Perception of urban stream corridors within the greenway system of Sapporo, Japan. Landscape and Urban Planning, 68, 167–182. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0169-2046(03)00158-0.
Beaumont, J. (1997). Community participation in the establishment and management of marine protected areas: A review of selected international experience. South African Journal of Marine Science, 18(1), 333–340. https://doi.org/10.2989/025776197784161009.
Beckley, T. M., Stedman, R. C., Wallace, S. M., & Ambard, M. (2007). Snapshots of what matters most: Using resident-employed photography to article attachment to place. Society & Natural Resources, 20(10), 913–929. https://doi.org/10.1080/08941920701537007.
Bernhardt, E. S., & Palmer, M. A. (2007). Restoring streams in an urbanizing world. Freshwater Biology, 52(4), 738–751. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2427.2006.01718.x.
Braga, R. A. P., Cabral, J. J. S. P., Oliveira, P., Soares, M. A., & Gusmão, P. T. R. (2009). Hydraulic and hydrologic information for Parnamirim Stream restoration [original in Portuguese]. In XVIII Brazilian water resources conference.
Buchholz, T., & Younos, T. (2007). Urban stream daylighting case study evaluations. VWRRC Special Report SR35-2007, Virginia Water Resources Research Center, Blacksburg: Virginia Tech. Retrieved July 10, 2018, from https://static1.squarespace.com/static/530e3f55e4b088e83bb95f08/t/56ce652327d4bd5555b45d38/1456366885690/VWRRC_sr200735.pdf.
Carmona, M., De Magalhaes, C., & Edwards, M. (2002). Stakeholder views on value and urban design. Journal of Urban Design, 7(2), 145–169. https://doi.org/10.1080/1357480022000012212.
Cettner, A., Söderholm, K., & Viklander, M. (2012). An adaptive stormwater culture? Historical perspectives on the status of stormwater within the Swedish Urban Water System. Journal of Urban Technology, 19(3), 2540. https://doi.org/10.1080/10630732.2012.673058.
Eisenhauer, B., Krannich, R., & Blahna, D. (2000). Attachments to special places on public lands: An analysis of activities, reasons for attachments, and community connections. Society and Natural Resources, 13, 421–441. https://doi.org/10.1080/089419200403848.
Faulkner, H., Green, A., Pellaumail, K., & Weaver, T. (2001). Residents’ perceptions of water quality improvements following remediation work in the Pymme’s Brook catchment, North London, UK. Journal of Environmental Management, 62, 239–254. https://doi.org/10.1006/jema.2000.0435.
Flick, U. (2009). An introduction to qualitative research (4th ed.). London: Sage.
Frantz, C. M., & Mayer, F. S. (2014). The importance of connection to nature in assessing environmental education programs. Studies in Educational Evaluation, 41, 85–89. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.stueduc.2013.10.001.
Fundaj – Joaquim Nabuco Foundation. (2001). The housing of social interest in Recife. Organized by Lívia Miranda, Magda Caldas Neto, Socorro Araújo. 1th ed., Recife, Mimeo (in Portuguese).
Gifford, R., & Nilsson, A. (2014). Personal and social factors that influence pro-environmental concern and behaviour: A review. International Journal of Psychology, 49, 141–157. https://doi.org/10.1002/ijop.12034.
Gosling, E., & Williams, K. J. (2010). Connectedness to nature, place attachment and conservation behaviour: Testing connectedness theory among farmers. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 30, 298–304. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2010.01.005.
Grimm, P. (2010). Social desirability bias. In: J. Sheth, & N. Malhotra. (Eds.), Wiley international encyclopedia of marketing. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781444316568.wiem02057. Accessed January 18, 2019]
Harper, D. (2002). Talking about pictures: A case for photo elicitation. Visual Studies, 17(1), 13–26.
Hood, C., & Reid, P. (2018). Social media as a vehicle for user engagement with local history: A case study in the North East of Scotland. Journal of Documentation, 74(4), 741–762. https://doi.org/10.1108/JD-12-2017-0167.
Hurworth, R. (2003). Photo-interviewing for research. Social Research Update, no. 40, University of Surrey, Guildford, UK. https://sru.soc.surrey.ac.uk/SRU40.html. Accessed 18 Jan 2019.
Ireland, M., & Ellis, L. (2005). Is the conscience collective black and white? Visual Anthropology, 18(4), 373–387.
Janes, M. (2011). Urban river restoration. River Restoration Centre - RRC. Annual River Restoration Network Conference. Nottingham University. Retrieved June 10, 2010, from https://ursula.group.shef.ac.uk/upload/Inner/News_other/Janes.pdf.
Keys, N., Thomsen, D. C., & Smith, T. F. (2016). Adaptive capacity and climate change: The role of community opinion leaders. Local Environment, 21(4), 432–450. https://doi.org/10.1080/13549839.2014.967758.
Kim, S. H., & Kim, S. (2013). National culture and social desirability bias in measuring public service motivation. Administration & Society, 48(4), 444–476. https://doi.org/10.1177/0095399713498749.
Kondolf, G. M., & Pinto, P. J. (2017). The social connectivity of urban rivers. Geomorphology, 277, 182–196. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2016.09.028.
Krosnick, J. A. (1999). Survey research. Annual Review of Psychology, 50, 537–567. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.psych.50.1.53.
Lee, Y. K., Lee, C. K., Choi, J., Yoon, S. M., & Hart, R. J. (2014). Tourism’s role in urban regeneration: Examining the impact of environmental cues on emotion, satisfaction, loyalty, and support for Seoul’s revitalized Cheonggyecheon stream district. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 22(5), 726–749. https://doi.org/10.1080/09669582.2013.871018.
Lüke, T., & Grosche, M. (2018). What do I think about inclusive education? It depends on who is asking. Experimental evidence for a social desirability bias in attitudes towards inclusion. International Journal of Inclusive Education, 22(1), 38–53. https://doi.org/10.1080/13603116.2017.1348548.
May, R. (2006). “Connectivity” in urban rivers: Conflict and convergence between ecology and design. Technology in Society, 28, 477–488. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techsoc.2006.09.004.
Morzillo, A. T., Kreakie, B. J., Netusil, N. R., Yeakley, J. A., Ozawa, C. P., & Duncan, S. L. (2016). Resident perceptions of natural resources between cities and across scales in the Pacific Northwest. Ecology and Society, 21(3), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.5751/ES-08478-210314.
Municipality of Recife. (2012). Profile of neighborhoods: “Casa forte” and “Parnamirim”. Retrieved September 20, 2012, from https://www2.recife.pe.gov.br/servico/perfil-dos-bairros(in Portuguese).
Nederhof, A. J. (1985). Methods of coping with social desirability bias: A review. European Journal of Social Psychology, 15(3), 263–280. https://doi.org/10.1002/ejsp.2420150303.
Ozguner, H., Eraslan, S., & Yilmaz, S. (2012). Public perception of landscape restoration along a degraded urban stream side. Land Degradation & Development, 23, 24–33. https://doi.org/10.1002/ldr.1043.
Smith, R. F., Hawley, R. J., Neale, M. W., Vietz, G. J., Diaz-Pascacio, E., Herrmann, J., et al. (2016). Urban stream renovation: Incorporating societal objectives to achieve ecological improvements. Freshwater Science, 35(1), 364–379. https://doi.org/10.1086/685096.
Stahre, P. (2008). Blue-green fingerprints in the city of Malmö, Sweden: Malmö’s way towards a sustainable urban drainage. Malmö: VA SYD. Retrieved July 10, 2018, from https://greenroof.se/gr-16/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/BlueGreenFingerprintsPeterStahrewebb.pdf.
Stodel, M. (2015). But what will people think? Getting beyond social desirability bias by increasing cognitive load. International Journal of Market Research, 57(2), 313–322. https://doi.org/10.2501/IJMR-2015-024.
Thomson, D., & Pepperdine, S. (2003). Assessing community capacity for riparian restoration. Canberra: Land & Water Australia. Retrieved July 10, 2018, from https://arrc.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/pr030553.pdf.
Thompson, R., & Parkinson, S. (2011). Assessing the local effects of riparian restoration on urban streams. New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research, 45(4), 625–636. https://doi.org/10.1080/00288330.2011.569988.
Tonge, J., Moore, S., Ryan, M., & Beckley, L. (2013). Using photo-elicitation to explore place attachment in a remote setting. The Electronic Journal of Business Research Methods, 11(1), 41–50.
Tunstall, S. M., Penning-Rowsell, E. C., Tapsell, S. M., & Eden, S. E. (2000). River restoration: Public attitudes and expectations. Journal of the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Journal., 14(5), 1–8.
Wang, X., Geng, L., Zhou, K., Ye, L., Ma, Y., & Zhang, S. (2016). Mindful learning can promote connectedness to nature: Implicit and explicit evidence. Consciousness and Cognition, 44, 1–7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.concog.2016.06.006.
Winz, I., Brierley, G., & Trowsdale, S. (2011). Dominant perspectives and the shape of urban stormwater futures. Urban Water Journal, 8(6), 337–349. https://doi.org/10.1080/1573062X.2011.617828.
Wong, T., & Brown, R. R. (2009). The water sensitive city: Principles for practice. Water Science & Technology, 60(3), 673–682. https://doi.org/10.2166/wst.2009.436.
Yocom, K. (2014). Building watershed narratives: An approach for broadening the scope of success in urban stream restoration. Landscape Research, 39(6), 698–714. https://doi.org/10.1080/01426397.2014.947249.
Zylstra, M. J., Knight, A. T., Esler, K. J., & Le Grange, L. L. (2014). Connectedness as a core conservation concern: An interdisciplinary review of theory and a call for practice. Springer Science Reviews, 2, 119–143. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40362-014-0021-3.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
Publisher's Note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Lima da Costa Preuss, S., Joaquim da Silva Pereira Cabral, J., Morrison-Saunders, A. et al. Understanding community perceptions of an urban stream before and after a discussion of revitalization possibilities using photo-elicitation. Environ Dev Sustain 23, 3946–3965 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-020-00751-9
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-020-00751-9