Management success of urban water bodies depends on public perceptions
among other factors, because opinions and attitudes can be used to
identify problems and also to evaluate the implementation of
rehabilitation programs. The aim of this study was to explore the
environmental perception of residents living along streams of one of the
most polluted watersheds in Buenos Aires (Argentina) in view of future
rehabilitation programs. During 2012 and 2013, 276 door-to-door surveys
were carried out randomly and were analyzed regarding two perspectives:
differences in perception with respect to (1) their position in the
watershed, and (2) the distance from the watercourses where they reside.
In general, residents’ perceptions were highly influenced by what they
saw or smelled. Although they did not value the watercourses for their
wildlife or scenery and did not use them for recreation, they would like
them to be improved. Three main topics were relevant: (1) the type of
experience they had with the streams near their homes, (2) the
recognition that riverbanks have a potential for recreation, and (3) the
desire and individual commitment to improve the critical environmental
condition. These results have implications for environmental management
and, particularly, for the implementation of riparian rehabilitation
projects.