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Explora: Environment
and Resource Sustainable urban park design

Urban parks provide numerous environmental benefits, design. This model is expected to guide stakeholders
including positive impacts on air quality, soil health, involved in the design, construction, and management of
and water, while supporting biodiversity. They could urban parks, thereby enhancing the sustainability of cities
economically revitalize their surroundings, increase the through the functional attributes and exemplary nature of
value of properties in the region, and contribute to urban these urban parks.
tourism. Furthermore, urban parks can improve health
issues, such as obesity and diabetes, by promoting physical 2. Design elements to consider in
activities such as walking. They offer natural areas away sustainable urban park design
from traffic and noise and create educational opportunities The design elements required for creating sustainable
developed in a real space with natural elements. In addition, urban parks have been determined through a
these parks provide rest and recreational opportunities that comprehensive literature review and categorized according
rejuvenate individuals, thus creating vitality in business life to the economic, environmental, and social dimensions of
5,6
and contributing to a distinct urban identity. Given these sustainability. It is important to note that each function or
benefits, urban parks can support sustainability on multiple element considered in park design often relates to more
levels – economic, social, and environmental. However, than one dimension of sustainability. To facilitate clarity,
inadequate design and poor management can render the design elements are organized under the headings
urban parks unsafe and abandoned spaces that consume corresponding to the dimensions they are most directly
substantial natural resources rather than contribute to associated with.
sustainability. Thus, sustainable design is important for
maximizing the benefits of urban parks while mitigating 2.1. Economic sustainability
potential risks. Moreover, well-designed urban parks can Economic sustainability refers to the dimension of
enhance sustainability awareness among citizens as they sustainability that aims to ensure long-term growth
serve as communal spaces for all. and survival. It serves as a foundation for maintaining
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Numerous studies in the literature explore the environmental and social sustainability. Parks and various
relationship between urban parks and sustainability. public facilities attract buyers and investors, leading to
However, many of these studies examine a specific aspect an increased demand for nearby developments. This
of parks, such as sustainable management of parks, heightened interest often results in higher real estate
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meeting user needs, 8-10 serving as walking paths, hosting prices, significantly stimulating economic growth.
sports events, 12,13 incorporating sustainable landscape Individuals are willing to pay more for properties located
and wetland features, 14-16 examining economic benefits, near parks or open spaces compared to those without such
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analyzing socioeconomic impacts, assessing energy use, amenities, which contributes to higher real estate values
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evaluating esthetic features. In addition, some studies in the area. In addition to boosting property values
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examine the sustainability of parks in general 21-23 and those and rental income, parks also enhance the economy by
employing case study approaches. 10,24-28 reducing pollution prevention costs, with trees playing a
role in air purification. In addition, parks promote tourism
In contrast to existing literature, this study aims to create and commercial activities, further stimulating economic
a model for sustainable urban park design. It also includes growth. 27
an evaluation of a specific park based on this model. First,
an extensive literature review was conducted to identify 32 2.2. Environmental sustainability
design elements that promote the sustainability of urban Environmental sustainability is defined as “fulfilling the
parks. A survey was conducted to gather insights from needs of present and future generations for resources and
318 participants regarding the importance of each design services without endangering the health of the ecosystems
element for park sustainability. The survey results were that provide them.” Parks and green spaces, which provide
analyzed using explanatory factor analysis to group the easy access to nature and incorporate vegetation within
design elements into six distinct factors. Each factor was the built environment, enrich the plant composition of the
named appropriately, and a model consisting of six factors natural environment and enhance biodiversity. These areas
and 30 design elements for the sustainable design of an have numerous benefits, including providing habitat for
urban park was created. In the final phase of the study, urban wildlife, improving urban microclimate, protecting
Altinpark, one of Ankara’s significant urban parks, was water quality, enhancing air quality through greenhouse gas
evaluated using the proposed model. control, reducing volatile organic compounds emissions,
The study contributes to the literature and offers novelty and mitigating noise pollution by absorbing and blocking
by presenting a concrete model for sustainable urban park sound waves. The main goal of designing sustainable
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Volume 2 Issue 1 (2025) 2 doi: 10.36922/eer.5839