Where to find nature? Connecting with nature in urban and non-urban areas in southwestern France

Abstract

Visiting natural areas is considered an important factor of well-being. Along with urbanization, an extensive literature has developed that examines the presence of natural areas in urban settings for the benefit of urban dwellers. However, little is known about how much people perceive the presence of nature in different types of areas (such as city or countryside) and the places where they seek this presence. In this article, we present a study of these two questions through the interviews of 52 inhabitants from 13 municipalities (cities, suburbs and other areas) in Southern France. Through the quotes where nature was mentioned, we studied their perceptions of its presence in the different categories of areas they distinguish (city, countryside, mountain, seaside), as well as the various places where they established a contact with nature. Our results highlight the ranking of the areas where such a connection is pursued. Their interviews show both the importance of the residence itself as a place of contact with nature, and of the mobility patterns that make people feel closer to nature, such as relocation, multiple residences, short outings and longer trips. This qualitative study attempts to enrich the vision of the human connection with nature beyond the present focus on such connections in the city.