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Explora: Environment
and Resource Sustainable urban park design

supervision. Parks can become unsafe environments due encourage daily physical activity by providing opportunities
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to theft and vandalism. Implementing security measures for close contact with nature. 28,41 Studies have shown that
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– such as good lighting, security guards, and surveillance individuals are more inclined to walk, run, and cycle in
cameras 8,24,36 – well-maintained green areas, a variety of parks when the paths are comfortable, convenient, and
recreational activities, and environmental comfort is well-designed. 28,37,41 Therefore, it is recommended that
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crucial for enhancing perceived safety and attractiveness. walking, jogging, and cycling paths be designed according
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These factors are vital for promoting the active use of parks. to various standards that prioritize functionality and
The design of soft and hard landscapes within a park esthetics. 20,42
is important for environmental amenity. In this context, One of the key factors influencing the frequency
“soft landscape elements” refer to plants, whereas “hard of park usage is the ability to meet users’ basic needs
landscape elements” encompass all other features, effectively. Gong et al. emphasized that the lack of basic
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including roads, simple buildings, park furniture, walls, infrastructure facilities, including toilets, sports facilities,
and fences. The quality of a park depends on the effective and signage, negatively affected the use of parks in
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integration and management of these components. 21 Beijing. The availability of toilets and sinks, along with
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Soft landscaping includes trees, shrubs, bushes, hedges, their accessibility, clean water, and sanitation, is essential
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lawns, and flower beds. Proper organization of these elements for making parks user-friendly. In addition, users often
is important for creating an attractive park environment. For express a strong demand for service facilities, such as
example, effective soft landscaping may involve selecting kiosks that provide beverages and snacks. 40,43 Access to
fragrant and beautiful trees, choosing shrubs without large food and water enhances the comfort and appeal of parks
roots, and incorporating flowering plants to cover at least and is particularly, important for parents with children. 6
60% of the area. In addition to esthetic considerations, Urban parks play a vital role in fostering a sense of
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the sustainability of materials used in hard landscaping is social belonging and community, making it important to
also important. Factors such as maintenance requirements, encourage their use among citizens of all ages, genders,
reuse and recycling opportunities, costs, and suitability cultures, skills, and physical abilities. For this, it is important
for their intended purpose should be considered. Hard to organize an annual program of events and activities
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landscaping features, such as paved areas, paths, benches, that are socially inclusive and open to users of all ages
gazebos, and special corners, play a vital role in facilitating and interests. Regardless of size, all urban parks should
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social interactions within the park. 6 incorporate public art, performances, and other activities
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Elements such as seating units, lighting fixtures, sign that reflect cultural significance and historical context.
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and information boards, delimiters, and structures such Yildizci and Yücel identified several quality criteria for
as stops, canopies, pergolas, sales units, artistic objects, urban parks, including accessibility and legibility, comfort
playground elements, garbage bins, flower beds, bicycle and image, sense of ownership, as well as activities and. 23
parking spaces, square clocks, vegetative elements, and Numerous studies in the literature provide valuable
flagpoles are all considered part of park furniture. insights into design elements that can enhance the
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These elements must be designed to align with the city’s sustainable design of urban parks. While it is not feasible
sociocultural characteristics and meet the functional needs to discuss each study in detail here, Table 1 presents an
of the users. By doing so, they enhance user experience overview of the aims, methods, and results of three studies
while beautifying the parks. 31,40 With their color, form, and that approach the subject more holistically, similar to this
practicality, park furniture is an integral component of a research.
park. It has many functions, such as adding visual appeal
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and identity to the space, delineating areas within the park, 3. Methods
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and connecting historical context with future aspirations.
Research shows that poorly maintained furniture that Although numerous studies on the sustainability of
does not harmonize with the park’s atmosphere reduces parks exist in the literature, no study has developed a
sustainability model, especially for parks. In this study, the
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its attractiveness and comfort. Conversely, parks that method presented in Figure 1 was followed.
incorporate cheerful colors and artistic elements while
addressing the needs of diverse age groups tend to have The study started by identifying 32 design elements, as
higher user satisfaction regarding rest, nature experiences, outlined in Table 2, that can contribute to the sustainability
entertainment options, and recreational activities. 14 of an urban park through a review of recent literature.
Walking, jogging, and cycling paths are important A questionnaire survey was conducted to assess
components of hard landscapes in parks. These pathways respondents’ perceptions of the importance of identified

Volume 2 Issue 1 (2025) 4 doi: 10.36922/eer.5839