**5. Recommendations**

#### *5.1. Future In-Depth Research Based on This Paper's Preliminary Findings*

As the 2019 data confirmed the trends established in 2015 regarding the rejection of the proximity principle in the Potchefstroom case study, it is recommended that comparable research be conducted in various locations around South Africa to provide further clarification on the generalisability of the research premise. Such investigations could consider the influence of specific UGS characteristics and di fferentiation in socio-economic gradients [19] on the proximity principle. The results of the Potchefstroom resident survey, in addition to the emphasis placed on stakeholder engagemen<sup>t</sup> in the literature, further call for future research on the proximity principle to include community surveys to deepen understanding. Such approaches could include qualitative investigations in the form of interviews and focus group discussions with proximate communities to triangulate findings. Participatory planning strategies can be crucial in ensuring long-term returns on investments in UGSs and should thus be included in both research and practice.

#### *5.2. Municipal Valuations Should be Reviewed*

If residents are indeed willing to pay more for properties located next to UGS as the preliminary survey data suggests, local authorities should consider investing in UGSs (following stakeholder engagemen<sup>t</sup> processes) and revise municipal valuation of proximate residential properties in accordance. Such adjustments could result in increases in property tax revenue to reinvest in UGSs to enhance indirect benefits derived from ecosystem services and address ecosystem disservices.

The latter may build a compelling argumen<sup>t</sup> to convince local municipalities, private investors and the community to invest in UGSs. This may influence decision-making processes regarding policy formulation to promote environmental protection, green space planning and environmental managemen<sup>t</sup> within cities.

#### *5.3. Enhance Both the Quality and Quantity of Green Spaces*

The quality of green spaces could be enhanced by implementing green planning initiatives as part of broader green infrastructure planning approaches [35]. As dense urban centres do not have adequate space available for development, revitalisation may be considered. The quantity and quality of green spaces within dense urban centres may be increased and improved by compact city and mixed-use planning approaches where green spaces are prioritised as a land use requirement. Local budgeting, maintenance and public participation are also aspects that may ensure that the quality of green spaces is enhanced as the issues regarding ecosystem disservices of green spaces will be addressed. An increase in the quality of green spaces may result in more economic benefits. The latter aspects will be discussed in the next section. Further research may be conducted that investigate the quality and economic benefits of private open spaces, such as gardens in contrast with the quality and economic benefits of public open spaces. The approaches will include "willingness to pay" for amenities, services, green space benefits and properties close to a UGS (stated preference approach) and

the impact of the UGS on property value (revealed preference approach). The results will determine whether functional green spaces with high quality have more economic benefits.

#### *5.4. Prioritise Environmental Considerations in Mainstream Urban Planning*

Green space planning should be emphasised in the local context and Professional Planners should collaborate with local authorities to prioritise green space planning in local budgeting. Planning practice should consider participatory planning approaches that include the active involvement of the public specifically in UGS planning. This calls for trans-disciplinary planning approaches. Ecosystem services and disservices should play a more prominent part within urban planning, in an attempt to enhance green space quality and increase the economic benefits. Land Use Schemes (LUS) of local municipal areas could be amended to accommodate, not only the minimum green space provision requirements in applications but also mixed-use zonings. Mixed-use developments may increase the quantity and enhance the quality of green spaces. Mixed-use developments ensure that various land uses similar to residential, business and green spaces are included in a single development [42]. Currently, local authorities follow an approach to development where green spaces are perceived as potential areas for development (cross-reference to Professional Planner survey). Local planning should follow an approach to development that encourages the protection of green spaces and natural systems, rather than the development of these areas.

#### *5.5. A Broader Spatial Planning Approach*

It is crucial to determine and provide evidence of the economic benefits of green spaces to ensure that green space planning is prioritised in the local context. Therefore, it should form part of a broader spatial planning approach. The Spatial Development Frameworks (SDF) of each local municipality should include a section that discusses green spaces in economic terms and what is aimed to be achieved in terms of environmental managemen<sup>t</sup> and green space planning in the future and such should be supported by the Spatial Planning and Land Use Management Act (Act 16 of 2013) [43]. To measure the quality of green spaces, the stated preference and revealed preference approach may be considered. The stated preference approach includes "willingness to pay" that determines what residents are willing to pay for amenities, services, green space benefits and for properties that are located adjacent to green space. The revealed preference approach includes the proximity principle as a hedonic price analysis method, as employed in the 2019 Potchefstroom case study of this research paper (cross-reference to Section 2). The proximity principle may be used as an indicator of the economic benefits of green spaces by determining how green spaces influence property value in di fferent urban areas including public open spaces, private open spaces and neighbourhoods of di fferent social status (the socio-economic gradient). Areas that indicate a green space with a higher economic value (approved proximity principle) may indicate what functions and characteristics should be prioritised to increase the economic benefits of green spaces in other areas. When attempting to valuate green spaces in economic terms, six important aspects should be considered including market value (green space impact on property value), enhancement value (green space influence on adjacent land), production value (contribution to production referring to resources), natural systems value (urban biodiversity and ecosystems), direct and indirect value (social, environmental and economic benefits) and intangible value (how people perceive green spaces referring to ethics, knowledge and opinions) [44].

#### *5.6. Focus on Context-Based Planning*

Further research may be conducted on the impact of green spaces on property values along a socio-economic gradient as this may influence residents' perceptions of the value of urban green areas, especially where environmental inequity is a reality [19]. Contrasting results may indicate the importance to plan in context. The current research mentioned the di fference in planning contexts of Global North and Global South countries, as the proximity principle holds true in the Global North context, but is rejected in the local context of Potchefstroom, South Africa (cross-reference to Section 2). To plan according to context, a shift in planning approaches will be required. Local communities should participate in planning on a high and empowering level. For local municipalities to shift towards context-/community-based planning, legislative transformation will be required that will support planners in active community engagemen<sup>t</sup> and encourage planners to consider context-based planning. Nature and the environment, basic human rights, should be prioritised in urban planning approaches, in an attempt to reclaim nature in cities.

**Author Contributions:** All authors have read and agree to the published version of the manuscript. Supervision, E.J.C., L.L. and S.C.; Writing—original draft, Z.C.

**Funding:** This research was funded by National Research Foundation South Africa, gran<sup>t</sup> number 116243.

**Acknowledgments:** This research is supported in part by the National Research Foundation of South Africa (Grant Numbers: 116243).

**Conflicts of Interest:** The authors declare no conflict of interest.
