Codornices Creek Corridor: Land Use Regulation, Creek Restoration, and their Impacts on the Residents’ Perceptions

Abstract

The Codornices Creek, an ecological corridor located in the northern part of Berkeley, California, is among the most visible, publicly accessible, and socio-economically diverse creeks in the East Bay. The current study examinesthe comparative influence of individual-level socio-economic conditions, involvementin Creek restoration activities, and the existing Creek-related land useregulations on the area residents’ sense of community and perception of areaecology. Based on the data collected through field measurements and survey ofthe Creek area residents, the study finds the respondents’ exposure to theCreek Ordinance, a key land use regulation in the Codornices Creek area, to be amongthe most important factors affecting their perception of the Creek’s role instormwater management, while the comparative impact of socio-economicconditions appears to be less important. In contrast, exposure to the Ordinanceis found not to have any significant impact on the respondents’ sense ofcommunity or overall perception of area biodiversity. Surprisingly, neither oneof the three outcomes of interest – sense of community, perception of areabiodiversity, or awareness of the Creek’s role in stormwater management –appear to be strongly affected by the respondents’ involvement in Creek-focusedrestoration activities.