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Explora: Environment
and Resource Sustainable urban park design

Figure 7. Examples of landscape in Altinpark 70
lavender, xeric horizontal thuja, rosemary, marigold, and Altinpark with my mother. The presentation and food we
dwarf roses. They also transitioned from tanker irrigation ate were extremely bad and expensive. I will never go and
to sprinkler irrigation in some areas and implemented eat at a fair again.” 59
irrigation programs to prevent water loss. Although they
collect rainwater for irrigation purposes, the amount 5. Discussion
collected is minimal. This study utilized explanatory factor analysis to develop
Park officials reported that solar energy-powered lamps a model consisting of six factors and 30 design elements.
were installed to save energy but were not very efficient The first factor, which includes social participation
due to shading from trees; hence, photocell lighting was in the management and protection of parks, is called
also employed. Waste management within the park is “management quality.” The second factor, called “life
handled by BelPa – a municipal affiliate – which converts quality,” consists of elements such as using parks for
pruning waste into pellets used as fuel due to their high recreation and entertainment, improving the quality of
cellulose content. In addition, old pipes and plastic waste life of citizens, and ensuring accessibility. The third factor
are recycled into irrigation pipes and given to citizens who is called “social quality,” which consists of the appropriate
bring in old pipes and plastic. A project aimed at purifying park designs for the elderly, children, and the disabled,
wastewater for use in parks and gardens is ongoing. A study cleanliness, maintenance standards, and adequate lighting.
conducted on Altinpark plant species found that out of 180 The fourth factor, which consists mainly of the suitability
plants identified in the park, 110 were classified as exotic of furniture, walking and running paths, and hard and soft
and 70 as native. The study recommended favoring natural landscaping, is called “esthetics and furnishing quality.”
plant taxa as they generally require less irrigation, are well The fifth factor consists of elements such as energy and
adapted to local soil and climate conditions, and are more water conservation and waste systems for environmental
resistant to diseases and pests. 72 sustainability is named “environmental quality.” The last
factor, which consists of features such as bicycle paths,
4.3.6. Activity quality kiosks, and activity areas in the park, is called “activity

Although there are no bicycle paths in Altinpark, the wide quality.”
roads in the park facilitate bike usage without issues. There Altinpark, one of Ankara’s important and large urban
are a total of 24 buffets, cafes, tea gardens, and restaurants parks, was examined within the framework of the created
in the park. Although these areas are important in meeting model. Some quantitative data obtained from on-site
the users’ needs, their increasing number causes the park observations of the park, interviews with users and
to be used beyond its intended purpose. Altinpark, with officials, and examination of academic studies on the park
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an area of 640,000 m , contains 24 such facilities, whereas are summarized in Table 11.
2
Central Park, covering 3,410,000 m , has 12, and Hyde
2
Park, with an area of 1,400,000 m , has eight such facilities. Ensuring social participation in management is one of
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2
The only activities considered as events in Altinpark are the first and most important conditions for sustainability in
the fairs. Initially offering high-quality fairs in terms of urban areas. The review conducted on Altinpark revealed
quality and quantity upon opening, recent years have that more effective ways of ensuring social participation
seen a decreased interest from companies participating in in management should be implemented. Through active
these events. One user commented, “The park, where the engagement, it becomes possible to reflect the will and
Tüyap book fair was once organized, was abandoned after needs of citizens, use parks more effectively and efficiently,
a few fairs on the grounds of loss.” Another citizen who and ultimately create a more inclusive and egalitarian
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attended one of the local product and food fairs frequently society. The review highlighted that accessibility to urban
held in Altinpark said, “I went to the fair in Ankara parks and their use for recreational purposes are among

Volume 2 Issue 1 (2025) 14 doi: 10.36922/eer.5839