• Getachew Ertumo Shanko
• Manisha

Abstract: Urban green areas are vital components for urban inhabitants and for urban environment regulation. However, increased urbanization has caused in the destruction of urban green areas. Therefore, to maintain the sustainability of urban green areas, the participation of the green areas users is one of the solution. This research is designed to examine socio-economic characteristics of urban residents and perception for perceived environmental benefits of urban green areas in Southern, Nations, Nationalities, and People Region, Ethiopia. Hossana, Durame and Werabe towns were selected from Hadiya, Kembata Tembaro and Siltie zones for the present study. A total of 150 urban households were randomly selected from each for this study. Field observation, key informant interviews and focus group discussions and structured questionnaires were applied for the primary data collection. Descriptive statistics was employed the analysis the collected data, and a Kruskal Wallis chi-square test and Mann-Whitney U test was used to test the association of variables. The findings shows that, urban respondents’ agreed in the study areas with the perception of the environmental benefits of urban green areas and also positively perceived for environmental benefits of urban green areas. In the three towns, based on the mean value, perception for various environmental benefits of urban green areas were not identical by the urban respondents. In addition, there were statistically significant difference between various socio-economic variables and perception for perceived environmental benefits of urban green areas. In this study, perception for the perceived environmental benefits, the associations of the socio-economic variables varies between the towns. Thus, any responsible bodies should give top prioritization for sustainable urban green areas development so as to urban residents satisfied from environmental benefits of urban green areas.

Socio-economic, Perception, Conservation, Green areas, Environmental benefits, Urban residents

"Socio-Economic Characteristics of Urban Residents and Perception for perceived Environmental Benefits of Urban Green Areas in Southern, Nations, Nationalities and People Region, Ethiopia", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.12, Issue 3, page no.c483-c494, March-2025, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2503260.pdf

"Socio-Economic Characteristics of Urban Residents and Perception for perceived Environmental Benefits of Urban Green Areas in Southern, Nations, Nationalities and People Region, Ethiopia", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.12, Issue 3, page no. ppc483-c494, March-2025, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2503260.pdf