Women’s Preferences and Perspectives on the Use of Parks and Urban Forests: A Case Study

Abstract

Urban green spaces play a critical role in promoting health, well-being and social inclusion. However, many such spaces remain underutilized by women due to perceived safety risks and inadequate infrastructure. The aim of this study is to understand the level of accessibility of these areas for women of different ages, considering their diverse needs related to physical activity and the sense of safety in public space. This research investigates the behavioural experiences of women in Zielona Góra, Poland, focusing on municipal parks and forests. A mixed-methods approach was applied, including on-site observations, in-depth interviews, online surveys and scenario modelling using Fuzzy Cognitive Maps (FCMs), involving 204 women aged 15–85. The results show that 48% of respondents avoid green areas due to barriers such as poor lighting, fear of wild animals or unpredictable individuals and insufficient infrastructure. Women preferred afternoon visits and valued the presence of others for increased safety. The five most frequented parks were identified based on accessibility and infrastructure quality. Scenario simulations confirmed that even single targeted interventions could improve perceived safety and increase usage. This study highlights the need for inclusive urban design that addresses the specific experiences and requirements of women in public green spaces.

1. Introduction

As public awareness of the role and importance of green spaces for human health and well-being increases, the amount of time urban dwellers spend in these areas is noticeably increasing. Urban green spaces are spaces designed for recreational, ecological and social purposes. According to the literature, they play a key role in improving the quality of life of citizens by offering a place for recreation and physical activity, supporting biodiversity and positively influencing the microclimate and aesthetics of urban space. These functions are integral to sustainable urban development and respond to growing social needs for access to nature and user safety. The belief that contact with nature has a positive effect on the human psyche has a long and widespread history [1]. Research, such as that conducted by Roger Ulrich, confirms the benefits of green spaces. For example, people in contact with plants and other elements of nature, compared to those in built environments, showed lower levels of anxiety and anger [2,3]. Simply observing green areas (even through a window) contributes significantly to occupant satisfaction [4], and contact with nature and walking in green areas can play an important role in counteracting sedentary lifestyles associated with obesity and provide a first step in regulating systolic blood pressure [5].

The development of urban green spaces has evolved in a variety of ways in terms of scale, age, arrangement, technology, vegetation and uses [6]. Historically, the concept of urban green space design has been based on designers’ desire to create user-friendly spaces where people from different backgrounds could meet, spend time together and develop a sense of community [1,7]. Research on park use shows that people use parks in different ways and that differences in usage patterns can be explained by socio-demographic factors such as age, gender and race or ethnicity [8].

Although urban green spaces are regarded as accessible and safe spaces, research shows that women and girls are less likely to use them alone. This is due to historical exposure to violence and a stronger sense of danger, especially in poorly lit areas. Women are more likely than men to experience fear of crime and physical violence [9], which affects their mobility and may lead them to avoid certain spaces.

Parks serve a variety of functions—for recreation, education or physical activity—but their use is sometimes limited by feelings of insecurity [10]. Despite advances in the design of public spaces and measures taken by European countries to enhance safety, urban green spaces still often fail to respond to the needs of women and other vulnerable groups. This translates into an inadequate sense of safety and comfort, which is reflected, among other things, in the observed restrictions on the way women use urban parks and forests.

The study presented here focuses on analysing the accessibility of urban parks and forests from the perspective of women, with the city of Zielona Góra in Poland as its case study. The aim of the analysis is to determine the degree of accessibility of these areas for women of different ages, taking into account their varying needs for physical activity and sense of safety in public spaces. Improving accessibility for women can contribute to the comfort and safety of all users of green spaces, including men, people who do not identify with the traditional gender divide and non-heteronormative people.

The analysis refers to the principles of the Her City project, launched by the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) in 2017 [11]. According to this concept, in order to have the greatest impact using measures to improve the accessibility and quality of use of urban green spaces by women, the focus should be on upgrading infrastructure—in particular, by installing adequate lighting, laying out clear and safe paths, creating functional rest areas and implementing spatial orientation systems.

Over the past four decades, the question of women’s accessibility and safety in urban green spaces has been developed mainly in academic circles, within a feminist dialogue. Twentieth-century feminist analyses have challenged traditional urban approaches by asking how human-designed spaces reflect, reinforce or transform gender relations [12].

Researchers adopting a feminist perspective have begun to document women’s spatial activity in cities, focusing, among other things, on spatial constraints [13], the gender division of labour and its impact on urban forms [14] and the relationship between the concepts of ‘public’ and ‘private’ and their role in emancipatory strategies [15].

From the researchers’ perspective, in the context of stimulating individual and social personality development [16], enhancing self-esteem and achieving independence as a result of participation in public spaces [17], social interaction and communication in urban spaces play an important role, especially in the context of women’s experiences. At the turn of the twentieth and twenty-first century, a conceptual framework for understanding the experiences of middle-class women of diverse ethnic and racial backgrounds in the field of public space emerged, which has been termed an “ethic of care”. The aforementioned ethic can contribute to the development of innovative thinking strategies in the field of public space design and planning, as well as in the realm of politics and activism [18]. The concept of an “ethic of care” underpins further research into women’s and girls’ experiences of using public spaces, with analysis at the level of individual neighbourhoods and recreational areas. In the course of this research, a priority area of analysis is the exploration of feelings of “fear” and “uncertainty” in the context of public open spaces such as parks, squares or streets, from the perspective of women living in urban areas [19,20]. It is observed that women often adapt their behaviour in public places [21] by implementing their own protective strategies. These include self-imposed hours of use of public spaces, adoption of specific forms of dress and restrictions on mobility [22]. Despite this, women show an ability to value opportunities for interaction at different levels of intimacy, such as time spent with family or brief interactions with strangers [23]. With the use of green spaces in an urban context, women aspire to engage in physical activity. However, due to family commitments, caring responsibilities for minor children and for safety reasons, they tend to refrain from exercising in isolation in public areas [22,23] and prefer recreational areas with easy access to public parking, and consider choosing a place with seating or the ability to move in the shade or sun [24].

Overall, researchers have made significant progress in analysing women’s experiences of public space, with a particular focus on their preferences and concerns, especially in the Polish context [25]. There has also been a focus on methods of engaging diverse groups and individuals in the design of public and semi-public spaces, as well as eliminating elements and solutions that may subtly limit the accessibility of these areas [26,27]. Current research highlights the variation in women’s experiences of using urban green spaces, taking into account factors such as race, age [8,28], religion [24], opportunities to participate in physical activity [23], sense of safety [22] and accessibility issues [9].

However, there is an important research gap in understanding women’s behavioural experiences in the context of forests and parks, regardless of factors such as race or religion, and in relation to their preferences as equal participants in social processes.

2. Materials and Methods

When designing parks and maintaining urban forests with a focus on gender equality, it is important to focus on aspects that guarantee equal access and satisfaction in the use of these spaces for both sexes, especially women and those among women who, due to their vulnerability, belong to groups of people experiencing social and economic exclusion.

This study focused on the behavioural experience of women of different ages in parks/forests in the city of Zielona Góra in Poland (Figure 1), which was chosen because of the female gender advantage over men by 11.6% (City Hall data from 31 December 2022) and the significant share of green areas in the structure of the urban space. Zielona Góra ranks second among Polish cities in terms of the share of green areas, which include both parks—public spaces designed for recreation, leisure and social integration—and urban forests within the city limits, managed by the State Forests, which provide a natural environment with tourist and recreational infrastructure such as walking and cycling paths, places for bonfires and shelters. Green spaces make up a significant proportion of the total urban area, namely 55% (Figure 1). In 2023, the demographic structure of Zielona Góra was dominated by women aged 20–59, accounting for 36,829 of the 65,685 total female population; the number of women in the 60–64 age group was 3609, while those aged 65 and over were 11,945, with a total city population of 138,932 [29].

It is worth noting that green areas next to roads, on housing estates and pocket parks occupy only 3.6% of the total urban area in Zielona Góra, the area of which, according to 2015 data, is 291 km² [30]. In addition, the city’s residents show a significant degree of physical activity and engagement in recreation in open green spaces such as parks and urban forests. These trends are attributed to the favourable urban infrastructure, which has been effectively developed in a relatively limited area, as well as to the low crime rate, as shown by the available statistical data provided by the Polish Police [31].

A variety of research methods were used as part of the ongoing study to assess the quality of urban parks and forests and the extent to which they are adapted to women’s needs in terms of safety and accessibility in Zielona Góra. The analysis included field observation techniques, in-depth interviews, the use of anonymous questionnaires and scenario modelling using the Fuzzy Cognitive Maps (FCMs) tool [https://www.mentalmodeler.com/ (accessed on 21 June 2025)]. The study in question was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki [32] and focused on understanding women’s behavioural experiences, identifying the types of physical activity they undertake, analysing whether they visit these areas individually or in a group and identifying potential concerns that accompany these visits between July and December 2023. The study involved 204 women between the ages of 15 and 85 with Polish and Ukrainian citizenship. Respondents to the interviews were recruited directly in urban parks and forests (7), the place of work of the authors of the study (5) and the place of work of the respondents (8), while those responding to the questionnaire were recruited through an email sent from the University of Zielona Góra account (184) (

Table 1. Description of the groups of female participants in the study.

Group	Number of Female Participants	Average Age (Range)	Recruitment Methods	The Method
1	7	71 (60–85)	Recruited directly in parks and urban forests	In-depth interview
2	4	42 (30–55)	Recruited at the survey authors’ place of work	In-depth interview
3	8	39 (30–50)	Recruited at respondents’ place of work	In-depth interview/the online questionnaire
4	184	31 (18–45)	Persons responding to the online questionnaire	The online questionnaire

). The small research sample was due to the pilot nature of the study and the limited number of people who agreed to participate in the in-depth interviews. As a result, it was difficult to identify the needs of women with specific disabilities and those with chronic illnesses. The in-depth interviews were conducted in a park or urban forest and their duration varied from 10 to 25 min.

During the in-depth interviews, carried out in the green spaces and in the places indicated by the respondents, open-ended questions were asked, allowing free speech. In parallel, a questionnaire containing both open and closed questions was sent out as part of the online survey. Closed questions included the age of the respondents, frequency of visits to parks and urban forests, types of physical activity undertaken and subjective assessment of the need for changes to green spaces. In the case of closed questions, female respondents were able to answer in a dichotomous form (“yes”/“no”) or choose from predetermined response options. The core questions from the in-depth interviews were also included in the online questionnaire.

During the interview, each focus group was informed about the session procedure and signed informed consent forms before the start. Each session was recorded and then transcribed. In-depth questions were asked during the interview to guide the focus group discussions (

Table 2. Moderation strategies used in the focus group.

How often and for how long do you spend time in parks or urban forests in Zielona Góra? Are there times of day when you feel more comfortable? How do you spend your time at weekends? Does anything change? Are there places you return to more often?

2. What factors influence how much time you spend in such a space?

3. What elements of space do you pay attention to when walking in parks or urban forests? Is visibility and the presence of other people important to you?

4. Do you use benches, litter bins, outdoor gyms? Does the absence or presence of such elements affect your comfort? What about toilets, playgrounds, rest areas?

5. Do you use navigation elements (e.g., maps, signs)? In your opinion, are they necessary?

6. What facilities make you more comfortable in these spaces?

7. How would you rate the paths—are they comfortable, safe, accessible, e.g., for wheelchairs?

8. What is worth changing or improving in the green space?

).

The combination of the in-depth interview methods carried out for focus groups 1–3 and the questionnaire for focus group 4 allowed for a comprehensive analysis of the issues and triangulation of the results, increasing the credibility and reliability of the research. The surveys were aggregated on the basis of qualitative descriptions—the keywords appearing in the responses. A quantification rule was adopted that depended on the frequency of appearance of a given qualitative description in the responses. A dependency model was developed and a matrix was created. Weights were assigned during the creation of the ‘what-if?’ scenarios (Figure 2).

An instrument that addresses the challenges of taking into account women’s needs and expectations in the creation of green areas within a city, and a tool for multi-sectoral support for local authorities, is a simulation modelling method based on Fuzzy Cognitive Maps (FCMs) technology, introduced by Kosko B [33]. The FCM is a neural network model that undergoes iterative processes and allows for interpretation. It consists of nodes and weighted connections between them, and its main application is the simulation of various “what if” scenarios [34], which is a particularly effective strategy for solving complex spatial–social problems. In addition, FCMs enable effective communication between the community and experts and local authorities, thereby enhancing collaboration and information sharing in the decision-making process. Neural networks represent the variables or states associated with the physical system under analysis. Each connection between variables has a weight, which reflects the strength of the causal relationship between the variables. The weights are quantified within a fixed range, while the activations of the neurons can take on values both continuously and discretely, depending on the non-linear activation function assigned to each neural unit [35]. Based on the responses provided by participants, potential scenarios for improving the well-being of parks and urban forests in Zielona Góra were simulated using the Mental Modeler tool. The aim of the analysis was to identify directions for effective and socially desirable urban interventions that could enhance both residents’ quality of life and the attractiveness of green spaces. In the proposed model, a three-tier scale was applied to represent the strength of connections between vertices, each corresponding to key urban concepts derived from the participants’ input. The adopted scale reflects the intensity of relationships within the conceptual network, using the following ranges: weak links (0.00–0.30), medium links (0.31–0.70), and strong links (0.71–1.00). This approach enables a qualitative interpretation of the degree of conceptual connectivity within the narrative structure.

3. Results

3.1. Analysis of Urban Parks/Forests in Zielona Góra

At present, there are nineteen parks and urban forests within the urban area with diverse characteristics, covering a variety of types such as parks in the form of a forest, parks with an orderly layout, municipal forests, state forests and cultivated soils and pieces of woodland worth preserving. Most of these green areas are located on the outskirts of the city of Zielona Góra, surrounding the more urbanised centre, and are characterised by a natural environment with organised paths.

During the survey, an analysis of the natural and anthropogenic components was carried out, as seen in

Table 3. Analysis of natural and anthropogenic components in parks/urban forests in Zielona Góra.

Name of Park/Forest	Brook	Pond	Hill	Flower Beds	Decorative Grasses
Gęśnik Valley	+	−	−	+	+
Łączy Valley	+	−	+	−	−
Hermit Valley	+	−	−	−	−
Millennium Park	+	−	−	+	+
Wine Park	−	−	+	+	+
St. Trinity Park	−	−	−	−	−
J. Sowiński Park	−	+	−	+	+
Piast Park	+	−	−	+	+
Poets’ Park	+	−	+	−	−
Braniborski Park	−	−	+	−	−
Piast Hills	+	+	+	−	−
Zacisze Park	−	−	−	−	−
Botanical Garden UZ	−	−	−	+	+
Zatonie Park	−	−	+	+	+
Forest on French Street	−	−	−	−	−
A park on the Mazursky estate	+	−	−	+	+
Vagmostaw	+	+	−	−	−
Meadows by the Silesian Estate	−	−	+	−	−

Legend to Table 3: “+”—elements present in the parks and forests of Zielona Góra; “−”—elements absent in the parks and forests of Zielona Góra.

, and an inventory of green areas was carried out, as documented in

Table 4. Utility program for parks and urban forests in the city of Zielona Góra.

Name of Park/Forest	Paved Paths	Unpaved Paths	Benches	Tables	Playground	Gym	Hiking Paths	Educational Facilities	Cycle Paths	Places to Relax	Café	Fountain
Gęśnik Valley	+	−	+	+	+	+	−	+	+	+	−	−
Łączy Valley	−	+	−	−	−	−	−	−	−	−	−	−
Hermit Valley	−	+	−	−	−	−	−	−	−	−	−	−
Millennium Park	+	−	+	+	−	+	−	−	−	+	−	−
Wine Park	+	−	+	−	+	−	−	+	−	+	+	+
St. Trinity Park	−	+	−	−	−	−	−	−	−	−	−	−
J. Sowiński Park	+	−	+	−	−	−	−	−	−	−	−	+
Piast Park	+	−	+	−	+	+	−	−	+	+	−	+
Poets’ Park	−	+	+/−	+/−	−	−	+	−	−	−	−	−
Braniborski Park	−	+	+/−	−	−	−	−	+	−	−	−	−
Piast Hills	−	+	−	−	−	−	+	−	+	−	−	−
Zacisze Park	+	−	+	+	+	−	+	−	−	+	−	+
Botanical Garden UZ	+	−	+	−	+	−	−	+	−	+	−	+
Zatonie Park	+	−	+	−	−	−	+	−	−	+	+	+
Forest on French Street	−	+	−	−	−	−	−	−	−	−	−	−
A park on the Mazursky estate	+	−	+	−	+	+	−	−	+	+	−	−
Vagmostaw	+	−	+	−	+	−	−	−	−	−	−	+
Meadows by the Silesian Estate	+	−	+	+	+	−	−	−	−	−	−	−
Forests by the Communal Cemetery	−	+	−	−	−	−	−	−	−	−	−	−

Legend to Table 4: “+”—elements present in the parks and forests of Zielona Góra; “−”—elments absent in the parks and forests of Zielona Góra; “+/−”—elements partially present in the parks and forests of Zielona Góra.

.

In the current structure of urban parks in Zielona Góra, it is possible to walk freely with pets. However, only two of these parks, i.e., the Gooseberry Valley and the Piast Park, have designated dedicated areas specifically for dog play. In addition, many of the remaining unregulated areas provide accessible habitats for wildlife, including wild boars, foxes, roe deer and fallow deer. This situation introduces significant restrictions for women who walk alone or with young children. For example, during the in-depth interview, a participant from focus group 2 expressed her fear of walking with her child in the area of Piast Hills where she lives, fearing a possible encounter with a wild boar or a herd of fallow deer, which resulted in her choosing the closed and safe area of the Botanical Garden UZ while spending more than 30 min on the road. Two participants from focus group 1 declared that they prefer to walk in a group when doing “Nordic walking” exercises in Braniborski Park, motivated by concern for their own safety due to both their advanced age and fear of the presence of wild animals.

The urban topography, as well as the location of urban parks and forests, allows 59.2% of female respondents to reach the nearest green area within a period of 10–15 min on foot. Despite the fact that 17.2% of female respondents show a willingness to walk in their preferred parks or forests due to positive emotional and physical experiences, they are willing to spend more time on the route to these places.

3.2. Analysis of Behavioural Experiences Among Women on the Use of Urban Parks/Forests

Although green spaces in Zielona Góra are generally accessible to all residents, the pilot study found that 48% of women felt apprehensive about being there alone and were more likely to forgo individual outdoor activities. Furthermore, there is a group of people who visit these green areas not more than once in six months (24%). In addition, as many as 26.5% of female respondents use these areas mainly as transit routes on their way to work, place of study or while shopping. Among the legitimate reasons for this absence, obligations incumbent on women, such as childcare, household management and professional employment, were cited as constraints. In addition, negative feelings such as fear, stress, uncertainty and feelings of loneliness were mentioned as factors inhibiting the decision to visit parks and urban forests. Health problems and age-related limitations have also been identified as important deterrents to the use of these recreational spaces (Figure 3), especially as the vast majority of urban dwellers desire green space that can be reached quickly on foot [36,37,38].

Based on the results of the survey and the observations made, it was found that the vast majority of women (44.9%) prefer quiet walks in company in parks and forests. Only 14.3% of women use the areas of parks and urban forests in Zielona Góra for sports. An even smaller percentage of women (8.2%) use these areas for quiet relaxation, reading books and meditation.

Interviews and questionnaire results indicate that 73.5% of women prefer walking in the afternoon. This period is characterised by more resident traffic, making the presence of other people increase women’s sense of security [39] and enabling them to make fuller use of parks and urban forest areas. The vast majority of female participants in the focus groups (90.3%) expressed the opinion that green spaces in the city of Zielona Góra, such as parks and forests, are in need of significant modernisation measures. Among the most frequently indicated needs were the installation of lighting, the construction of delineated and paved paths and the creation of appropriately equipped rest zones (e.g., benches, gazebos and shaded areas). Respondents highlighted that the current state of the infrastructure is not conducive to comfortable or safe use of most areas—particularly in the evening and during autumn and winter. Significantly, it was also noted that there are a lack of formally designated pedestrian routes, so that the majority of traffic travels along local forecourts, which are created spontaneously and are not always adapted to the needs of the users. This state of affairs not only reduces the quality of perception of the space, but also the accessibility of these areas for the elderly or those with limited mobility.

The timing and use of urban parks and forests by women is largely determined by the sense of threat they feel when walking alone. This study found that various forms of anxiety have a direct impact on limiting activity in green spaces. For example, 27% of female respondents declared fears related to the possibility of encountering wild animals or stray dogs, which influence the avoidance of less frequented routes. As many as 58% of respondents indicated a fear of encountering people behaving in an unpredictable or potentially threatening manner, such as those under the influence of alcohol, aggressive people or those in isolation. For 15.4% of the women, a significant factor limiting their presence in parks and urban forests was loneliness, more specifically a sense of isolation and being cut off from the social environment, which increased the subjective feeling of danger.

All of these factors point to the important need to design green spaces in a way that is not only conducive to recreation, but also ensures the safety and psychological comfort of the users—through adequate lighting, visibility of the space, the presence of infrastructure conducive to the presence of others and clear navigation systems.

3.3. Making Decisions That Affect the Creation of More Accessible Green Spaces

The analysis of the results obtained from the interviews and questionnaires, as well as the analysis of the scientific literature, make it possible to identify the criteria that women believe can contribute to increasing the use of parks and urban forests in Zielona Góra. In response to a closed question about the desired character of urban parks and forests in Zielona Góra—with three possible answer options: (1) to leave unchanged, (2) to change the purpose, and (3) to furnish the area (e.g., by adding lighting, alleys or resting places)—93% of the respondents indicated the need to furnish these spaces. Analysis of the responses to the in-depth interviews (19 participants) revealed that 84.3% of the female participants perceived the need to improve lighting and pathway infrastructure in green spaces. On the other hand, 15.7% of female respondents identified the lack of convenient access to public transport as a factor limiting the use of these areas (focus group 1). Also in the online questionnaire, 54.3% of the participants (focus group 4) identified the need for improved lighting as an important factor affecting the comfort of green spaces. A total of 38% of respondents highlighted the need for more leisure-friendly infrastructure elements such as benches and deckchairs, noting that not all parks have sufficient seating (focus group 4). The lack of public toilets was identified as a problem by 3.9% of female respondents, particularly by those who use the parks accompanied by children. The criteria considered most important are accessibility, good infrastructure, safety and current functions (Figure 4).

In order to understand the preferential path of action to create more accessible green spaces in Zielona Góra, a Fuzzy Cognitive Map [33] was created, which provides for the consideration of two scenarios for improving the quality of specific spaces.

On the basis of the analysis of the answers obtained from the questionnaire and in-depth interviews, the five parks and urban forests most frequently visited by women were selected from among the eighteen parks and forests located in Zielona Góra. The selection criteria were primarily as follows: convenient location (25% of female respondents), level of space management (51.9% of female respondents) and sense of security (57.8% of female respondents). Among the most frequently indicated were the following: Zatonie Park—visited by 38.2% of female participants, Vinny Park—33.8%, Botanical Garden of the University of Zielona Góra—27.9%, Gęśnik Valley—23.5%, and Millennium Park—22.1% (Figure 5). One respondent from Focus Group 4 noted that ‘The Vine Park at the Palm House provides an ideal setting for relaxation in the city centre, thanks to the availability of numerous deckchairs that encourage both rest and reading.’

Respondents indicated that the choice of these spaces was based on their good infrastructure—above all, the availability of resting places (e.g., benches and gazebos), the high quality of the surface of footpaths, the presence of other users at different times of the day, which strengthened the feeling of safety, and the existence of public toilets. According to the respondents, women are more likely to choose areas that combine aesthetic value with functionality and promote physical activity and relaxation in a safe environment (Figure 6).

Among the least visited parks and urban forests in Zielona Góra, according to the respondents, were the following: Braniborski Park (5.9%), Forest on French Street (2.9%), Zacisze Park (2.9%) and Łączy Valley (1.5%) (Figure 7). In one of the statements during the in-depth interview, Braniborski Park was rated as a “poorly lit and unsafe” place, indicating concerns about the level of safety (focus group 4). A respondent from focus group 1 indicated that the Forest on French Street used to be equipped with benches and have good footpath surfaces, but it has remained neglected for years, making walking uncomfortable—even though she lives in the immediate vicinity of this space. The low attendance at these locations is mainly due to limited accessibility, insufficient infrastructural development and a sense of insecurity, which were further confirmed in the statements of female participants in the in-depth interviews (Figure 8).

Based on the collected data, using the Fuzzy Cognitive Mapping (FCM) method, action scenarios were developed to improve the quality of the analysed urban green spaces in Zielona Góra, from the perspective of their female users. The proposed scenarios reflect women’s key needs in terms of safety, spatial accessibility, quality of recreational infrastructure and user comfort. Particular emphasis was placed on the presence of elements such as lighting, clearly delineated paths and navigation systems, resting places and the constant presence of other users at different times of the day, which, according to the respondents, significantly affect the sense of safety and comfort in using the green spaces.

On the basis of qualitative data, a cognitive map was developed to illustrate the interrelationships between factors influencing the comfort and safety of women using parks and urban forests in Zielona Góra. The central element of the diagram is the attendance of women on a walk in an urban park/forest, which is influenced by a number of variables in both positive and negative ways. Key variables positively influencing attendance include the following: lighting, monitoring, emergency phones, additional patrols by the municipal police and orderly traffic routes.

Table 5. Categories of responses to the open-ended question: “What do you think is missing for a sense of security in Zielona Góra’s urban parks and forests?”.

Open-Ended Response	Category	Remarks
Better lighting	Safety/Infrastructure	Frequently mentioned
Fencing against wild animals	Safety	Mainly related to forested parks
CCTV monitoring	Safety	Mentioned in various locations
Public toilets	Infrastructure	Noted especially by respondents with children
Well-marked paths	Infrastructure	Related to navigation and accessibility
Visibility in space (e.g., transparent shrubs, low vegetation)	Safety/Spatial design	Reflects concerns about isolation
Emergency contact points (e.g., police call buttons)	Safety/Technology	Less frequent but clearly articulated
Proximity to public transportation stops	Accessibility/Infrastructure	Highlighted by elderly respondents and parents
Open-ended response	Category	Remarks

presents conclusions drawn from responses to the open-ended question, “What do you think is missing for a sense of security in Zielona Góra’s urban parks and forests?”, gathered through in-depth interviews and an online questionnaire. The responses were thematically categorized based on the most commonly mentioned concerns.

In contrast, factors limiting women’s attendance in green spaces include the following: the presence of people with inappropriate behaviour, wild animals and dogs, lack of clear public transport and insufficient safety infrastructure.

The relationships are colour-coded: blue arrows indicate positive relationships (an increase in one variable causes an increase in the other), while orange arrows indicate negative relationships (an increase in one variable causes a decrease in the other). In addition, ‘+’ and ‘−’ symbolise the direction of influence, while ‘?’ indicates the ambiguous nature of the relationship requiring further empirical verification (Figure 9). Relationships with weak intensity (0.00–0.30) were classified as low-intensity links, indicating a limited, indirect or context-dependent influence of one concept on another. In the model, they represent factors of marginal importance in the decision-making structure. Relationships of medium intensity (0.31–0.70) indicate a moderate but noticeable influence of one concept on another. In the cognitive model indicated, they reflect relationships of a stable nature that can play an important role in the relationship structure, especially when combined with other factors. Relationships of strong intensity (0.71–1.00) indicate a clear and stable influence of one concept on the other. In a given cognitive model, they are interpreted as key structural relationships that play a dominant role.

In order to support the decision-making process of the municipal authorities to progressively improve the quality of green spaces in Zielona Góra, action scenarios were developed with an emphasis on selected positive variables identified from the responses of the female participants in the survey. Comparing the initial data of the model created, the focus was on how the variables changed under each of the example scenarios and the directions of change. A hyperbolic tangent (tanh) transform function was used in the model to scale and normalise the strength of relationships between concepts. This function provides output values ranging from −1 to 1.

For example, one of the most frequently indicated barriers to the use of parks and urban forests by women was the insufficient level of lighting of these spaces. Using the FCM (Fuzzy Cognitive Mapping) tool, Scenario 1 was developed, which assumes a 10% reduction in surveillance, lighting and monitoring activities within the park. The simulation indicated that such a reduction leads to an increase in three factors: greater distances between resting places by 1%, increased openness of green spaces by 1% and—most importantly—a 14% decrease in the model’s primary objective, namely, women’s attendance during walks in the parks in Zielona Góra.

Simultaneously, the risk of several negative phenomena increases: the presence of potentially dangerous individuals rises by 10%, the presence of wild animals by 8%, the occurrence of degraded or unused green areas by 4% and the number of organised venues for physical activity by 1% (Figure 10).

The simulation results suggest that introducing additional lighting in Zielona Góra’s green spaces could significantly help reduce the presence of both wild animals and individuals exhibiting undesirable behaviour, thereby improving users’ sense of safety. Moreover, improved lighting enhances the effectiveness of video surveillance systems.

Another variable that, according to respondents, plays an important role in shaping their presence in Zielona Góra’s urban parks and forests is the availability of structured and clearly delineated paths. Therefore, as part of the modelling process for Scenario 2, potential investment actions by the local government or grant providers were simulated. The scenario assumed a 10% increase in so-called soft interventions, including the organisation of structured pathways, rest areas, infrastructure for physical activity and selected commercial activities within the park space. The simulation indicated that such measures could lead to a 12% increase in the model’s primary objective—women’s attendance at walks in the parks in Zielona Góra. Additionally, the scenario showed a 4% increase in the monitoring indicator and a 1% increase in the openness of green spaces. At the same time, a slight reduction (1%) was observed in the presence of potentially dangerous individuals (Figure 11).

According to Scenario 2, even a single intervention, such as cleaning up traffic routes (one of the most frequently identified needs by female respondents in Table 5), can lead to significant social effects. For example, according to the bar chart, this type of investment will positively affect women’s attendance, as improved infrastructure indirectly affects feelings of safety and reduces feelings of isolation and confusion. Municipal authorities can consider this variable as a strategic starting point for the phased improvement of public spaces—especially in areas where the implementation of other technical infrastructure, such as monitoring or lighting, has encountered difficulties. Indeed, paved pedestrian routes are more often associated with a higher legibility of the spatial layout, the possibility of integrating lighting systems and the reduction of places potentially excluded from visual surveillance, thus improving users’ perception of safety.

Another concept considered in the development of the sample scenario was the presence of undeveloped areas and the distances between resting points, which respondents identified as important criteria in evaluating park spaces. Scenario 3 presents a park development variant that assumes a 10% increase in both the share of undeveloped areas and the distance between rest points. The simulation showed that such changes lead to a significant decline—by as much as 3%—in the model’s main objective: women’s attendance at walks in the parks.

In parallel, an increase was observed in the presence of potentially dangerous individuals by 2% and wild animals by 1%. This intervention also led to a slight rise (1%) in the potential for engaging in physical activity (organised physical activity) Figure 12.

The results indicate that women particularly value elements related to safety and legibility of spaces (

Table 6. Recommendations for urban green space improvements based on FCM analysis—women’s perspective (Zielona Góra, Poland).

Key FCM Variable	Causal Relations in the Model (Influence on Other Variables)	Recommended Actions	Priority Under Limited Resources
Sense of Safety	Strongly affects women’s presence, use of infrastructure and physical activity	Install lighting; CCTV cameras; Regular patrols by municipal services	High
Spatial Legibility	Enhances orientation and autonomy, especially for elderly women	Design coherent pedestrian paths; Avoid “dead zones”	Medium–High
Infrastructure Accessibility	Conditions affecting the possibility of physical activity, rest and family use	Add small-scale infrastructure; Children’s playgrounds	Medium
Walking Paths	Enhance access, safety, recreation and connectivity between functions	Maintain pathways; Illuminate walking routes; Link to public transport	High

).

The indicated proposals for the improvement of urban parks and forests in Zielona Góra concern areas located in the immediate vicinity of housing estates, such as the Forest on French Street, Łączy Valley or Branibor Park. These areas have a primarily recreational function and are not included in the lists of forests to be covered by nature conservation. According to the demands made by the women participating in the survey, upgrading these spaces could significantly increase their accessibility and attractiveness for different social groups. In addition, spot restrictions on wildlife migration in selected green areas—as long as they do not disturb the continuity of natural ecological corridors—can contribute to an improved sense of security among space users and residents of adjacent settlements by reducing the risk of wild animals in urbanised areas.

4. Discussion

Contemporary perceptual theory encompasses not only the processing of information, impressions, shapes or objects, but also the act of perceiving the overall atmosphere—experienced directly through the images and symbols that accompany it [37,38]. In this context, the planning of public spaces, such as green spaces, has a significant impact on the behavioural experiences of society, particularly affecting more vulnerable groups such as women and girls. They are the ones who are guided by notions such as “territoriality” or “place attachment” when making decisions about places for leisure and recreation [38].

Gathering the opinions of the community is therefore becoming a key element in the design of public spaces, especially for groups at risk of exclusion—women, children or people with disabilities. The active participation of residents enables better identification of user needs and the design of more inclusive solutions. Studies show that women evaluate park spaces primarily through the prism of safety, the availability of recreation and the presence of other users [39]. At the same time, the degree of use of green spaces and the physical activity undertaken in them remain strongly dependent on the distance from their place of residence [40].

The results of this study conducted in Zielona Góra are part of a broader pattern of use of recreational spaces by women, also observed in an international context. As the analyses conducted in Chicago show [41], women visit parks mainly in the afternoons and evenings, usually in the company of relatives, which is linked to their assigned social roles and family responsibilities [42]. For example, in Tel Aviv (Israel), in the Katznelson-Garden Park, a detailed analysis of the city’s camera footage showed that female activity was highest in the evening hours (83%), followed by afternoon (79%) and morning (76%). For men, morning attendance was dominant (24%), decreasing throughout the day to 21% in the afternoon and 17% in the evening [43]. Similar trends of visiting urban parks and forests were confirmed by questionnaires and interviews conducted in Zielona Góra, where 76.5% of female respondents indicated the afternoon as the preferred time to visit urban parks and forests. At the same time, only 14.8% of the female respondents declared that they undertook physical activity as the purpose of their visits to parks, as noted from the responses to the online questionnaire (closed question: “For what purpose do you visit parks/urban forests?”), which can be explained by the presence of both spatial and psychological barriers limiting the full use of green spaces. Comparing the local results with data from other countries reveals a recurrent and clear pattern in the way women use green spaces.

The phenomena described are part of the broader context of environmental justice and the need to take into account diverse social circumstances when planning nature-based solutions (NbSs) [44]. Successful implementation of such solutions requires not only the use of spatial data, but above all, the active involvement of local communities [45]. Modern urban planning increasingly emphasises the need for an integrated approach that takes into account quality of life, efficient urban ventilation and environmental management [46], as well as educating designers in the spirit of systemic, user-oriented thinking [47].

5. Conclusions

The surveys and analyses carried out provide an understanding of the extent to which green spaces are available for women of different ages in Zielona Góra, Poland. Particularly noticeable is the relatively high percentage of women who do not use these areas at all and do not fulfil their needs related to physical activity. Respondents indicated a feeling of insecurity, the problem of inadequate landscaping and inadequate infrastructure to meet their daily needs, such as quiet rest, physical activity or the opportunity to spend time with children. It can therefore be concluded that the current state of some urban green spaces does not meet the key tenets of the Global Public Space Programme, proposed by the UN in 2012, which emphasises the inclusivity, accessibility, quality and safety of public spaces. The results of this study highlight the need for revitalisation measures, taking into account the perspective of female users, to make green spaces more hospitable and functional for all sections of society.

This article proposes sample scenarios for the development of urban green spaces, developed using the FCM tool. These scenarios are based on an analysis of the cognitive links between the variables identified by female respondents as key to their presence and activity in urban green spaces.

With the conditions of the limited financial resources of local government units, investments targeting even single factors indicated by female respondents—for example, the development of comfortable and legible walking paths—can significantly contribute to improving the quality of use of parks and urban forests by women in Zielona Góra.