Image Source: Helmut Ignat
Vacaresi Nature Park has stakeholders throughout the Bucharest community. Key stakeholders include property developers, primary and secondary educational institutions, research institutions, tourists, local businesses, and residents. Each stakeholder has a different impact on the park and different infrastructure needs. In order to ensure that the competing infrastructure needs are met we researched each stakeholder and plan on interviewing organizations within each stakeholder category. This way we have an idea of the needs of Vacaresti Nature Park's community.
1. Schools
Green space is a valuable educational resource that is utilized by public schools in Bucharest. In elementary school, green space is used to encourage physical activity through play. This activity helps improve overall physical health and the development of motor fitness. In middle and high schools educational programs are designed around conservation and access to nature. According to a 2014 survey of Bucharest public schools over half (52.6%) had at least one program that used green space as a teaching tool. These programs are used in biology, geography, and environmental science curriculums and equate to 20 hours of educational material per class per year. Field trips also increase the educational possibilities. The Văcărești Nature Park has already established several educational programs which include biology and ecology lessons for local schools.
These programs allow for the schools to directly impact the park and give the park a valuable role in the education of young members of the Bucharest community. In the past, a few programs have successfully included schools in local green space. One example is the I Have My Own Tree! Project, organized by a local conservation group through Bucharest University (Grigoruta & Semen, 2008). This project, aimed at elementary students and their families, uses field trips to gardens and parks as well as educational materials distributed to schools to teach young children about ecology and conservation. The overall goal of the program was to educate and encourage children and families to go to parks (Grigoruta & Semen, 2008). A program with local schools that is geared towards educational classes and field trips is proven to increase the interest of schools and students in the park (Torkar & Krašovec, 2019). Supplementing the programs already in place at Văcărești as well as increasing the number of schools involved would increase the involvement of educational institutions in the future of Văcărești Nature Park.
2. Universities
While schools utilize parks like Văcărești for educational and recreational activities, universities use the park for research. Online databases are full of papers written by university students and professors about climate change, animal behavior, and conservation methods. Typically the main partners for conservation projects are NGOs, park authorities, and universities. In Bucharest specifically, the University of Bucharest is one of the most influential partners in analyzed conservation efforts. This is due to universities’ technical and research abilities. The university performs research and conservation projects in the park and, in return, the park receives assistance with drafting best practice and conservation plans. These plans are published in papers that are readily available online. Researchers and universities are interested in the opportunities at the park, the wildlife and conservation methods are worth studying. An assessment of the current research opportunities in Văcărești park and the development of research programs in the park will engage more universities. Opening the park to research will increase the university interaction and stake in Văcărești.
3. Ecotourism
Ecotourism and travelers visiting the park provide a source of income for the city as well as volunteers for parks. The young traveler, between the ages of fifteen and twenty-nine, is particularly interested in improving the places they visit. They make up twenty percent of the tourist industry and spend more time in their destination than any other demographic. This means that ecotourists could contribute to the local economy more than any other travelers. Văcărești Nature Park has a program to allow for volunteer activities. These out of town volunteers are excited to participate in conservation programs in an effort to contribute to the park and they are highly likely to return. Programs should be developed to include the ecotourist, increasing their involvement in the park will benefit both Văcărești and Bucahrest. They will improve the local economy and provide voluntary conservation services for the park. If programs are in place to attract the young ecotourist, Văcărești and Bucahrest can reap the benefits from this group of stakeholders for years to come.
4. Property Developers
Property developers have a great interest in Văcărești Park. Whether it be developing the land the park occupies, as it is a substantial amount of space, or investing in developing properties on its edges, developers invest in the land in and around the park. Measures should be taken to convince local property developers of the value the park adds to their land, this is the best argument to maintain the protected status of Văcărești. Green space has been proven to increase the property value of surrounding residential spaces, furthering the push for residential development. This effect encourages development around parks without impacting the park itself and is a main argument for conservation in the development sector. Since property developers are directly involved in developing the community, they have the power to decide to use best practice suggestions and are a powerful voice for conserving the park.
5. Bucharest Residents
The residents of Bucharest are also primary stakeholders in the park. They are not only economically impacted by the park but their health is impacted as well, even if they never step foot in it. They work in the schools, real estate, and tourism industries as well as visiting the park for education and recreation. They are also a primary source of volunteers for the park. The best way to connect the public with the park and gain long-term public support is to give them a say in the future of the park. Surveys, interviews, and public meetings are all useful tools to gather public opinions which can be used to improve park infrastructure and programs. More engagement with the park could also increase neighborhood pride, which in turn decreases crime and ensures protection of the park.
6. Local Businesses
Aside from the wider economic benefits of tourists visiting Bucharest for Văcărești Nature Park there are benefits to be gained by the businesses located directly outside the park. Visitors to the park have the ability to pass shops while traveling to the park and exercising on the perimeter of the park. This increased foot traffic has a positive impact on local businesses; it increases the public’s knowledge of the businesses. The park has also led to increased residential and commercial development in the sector. The increased demand and real estate availability has facilitated the founding of new businesses and the expansion of old ones. The businesses also impact the Văcărești Nature Park; local businesses who want to positively contribute to Bucharest volunteer in the park. This provides benefits for the park, the community, and local businesses.
7. Hospitals
The hospital located right outside Văcărești Nature Park utilizes the park to improve patient morale and health. Green spaces, like Văcărești, have been shown to improve the mental and physical health of the people who use them. The physical benefits are derived from being in the park while the psychological benefits do not require the same level of interaction. The hospital can utilize views of the park to improve patient morale and mental health. Light exercise in the park can be helpful for patients with more mobility, assuming there is appropriate infrastructure to maintain the safety of all involved. The environmental benefits of Văcărești Nature Park also have a positive impact on patients; the park improves the air quality which is especially beneficial for patients suffering from respiratory diseases.
8. Local Authorities
It has been shown in the United States, Brazil, and England that authorities act to appease their constituents and remain in office. The same occurs in Bucharest. Local authorities, in a professional context, value the park as a means to appeal to their constituents. Văcărești Nature Park is located between a residential and economic area. The park has benefits for both groups of constituents; parks improve the quality of life for residents near them and Văcărești Nature Park is a tourist draw that improves the local economy. In order to gain the support of the sector population, local authorities volunteer in Văcărești Nature Park and help support park conservation. The support of local authorities is extremely helpful when attempting to gain the support of city officials and other authorities; it adds credibility to the project and also showcases how important the project is to city inhabitants who are the constituents of the overall Bucharest government.
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