An Ecological Perspective on Cities: the Benefit of Urban Vegetation and Parks in Prishtina City, Kosovo

Urban vegetation and green spaces are considered as indicators of both quality of life and urban sustainability. The purpose of this paper is to present how quality of public spaces and urban vegetation contribute positively to people's quality of life. Green space quantity is measured by the ratio of green space, while quality consists of plant community structure (deciduous, evergreen, annual plants, flowering shrubs and perennials plants). The study was conducted in four urban parks (Germia Park, City Park, Tauk bashçe Park and Dardania Park) in Prishtina City, Republic of Kosovo. Urban vegetation plays an important role when it comes to cope with the challenges that are related to the urban infrastructure of XXI century. From the historical time period, human being has appreciated greenery to find the flavor of life, form some physical and psychological dependency on nature. Cities have been the centers of economic and social developments, as well as sources of many major environmental problems.Issues regarding urban vegetation, public green spaces per inhabitant, public parks and recreation areas are frequently highlighted as important factors to make the more sustainable, pleasant and attractive for its citizens.