Re-Envisioning Urban Open Spaces

Cities are expanding rapidly, and the impact of dense human-oriented urban systems on ecosystems is both direct (conversion of natural land cover to urban footprint) and indirect. Human settlements are more complex than any other ecosystems as they meet human socio-ecological needs and support local biodiversity. The open spaces of a city with rich cultural character and biodiversity have become important elements of urban design, where urban systems can be planned to coexist with local biodiversity without disturbing the ecosystem. With the need to redefine urban footprint as an ecologically rich urban environment, this chapter addresses the definition of urban open space and questions the coexistence of humans and biodiversity in urban open spaces.

Exploring the Characteristics of Urban Streets that Influence People’s Restorative Experience

Research about restorative quality of landscape can help to mitigate possible negative effects of urban densification on people. Previous studies discussed the restorative experience on natural environments or urban open space. However, further research is needed on the application of restorative experience in specific scenarios, for example streetscapes. There are a few studies that have explored the relationship between restorative quality and the landscape characteristics on streets context. However, there is little research on the practice of these theories. This article delves into the study of its predecessors and summarizes the primary factors that influence the restorative ability of streets. Then, using these data in a case study, consider if streets that provide a positive experience for people have these restorative street qualities in common. In addition, this article investigates the potential street characteristics that influence street restorative value and identifies areas for development in these situations. The findings could lead to a more commonly applied method for creating a psychologically sustainable streetscape.

Arts-Aided Recognition of Citizens’ Perceptions for Urban Open Space Management

Urban open spaces of local natural environments can promote the health and well-being of both ecosystems and humans, and the management of the urban spaces can benefit from knowledge of individuals’/citizens’ perceptions of such environments. However, such knowledge is scarce and contemporary inquiries are often limited to cognitive observations and focused on built environmental elements rather than encouraged to recognize and communicate comprehensive perceptions. This paper investigates whether arts-based methods can facilitate recognition and understanding perceptions of urban open spaces. Two arts-based methods were used to capture perceptions: drifting, which is a walking method, and theatrical images, which is a still image method and three reflective methods to recognize and communicate the perceptions. The results show related sensations and perceptions enabled by arts-based methods comparing them to a sticker map method. The main findings were perceptions, which included information about human–environment interaction, about relations to other people and about ‘sense of place’ in urban open spaces. The hitherto unidentified perceptions about urban open space were associations, metaphors and memories. The methods used offer initial practical implications for future use.

espaço livre públivo urbano: percepção do usuário no contexto da pandemia do covid-19 | Ther urban open space: user perception in the context of the covid -19 pandemic

As mudanças impostas pela pandemia do novo coronavírus são desafiadoras. Isolamento social, novas medidas de biossegurança e condições diferentes de viver levantam questões sobre o futuro da forma de habitar e usufruir as cidades e seus espaços. Diante disso, desenvolveu-se uma pesquisa exploratória visando apreender a percepção das pessoas quanto à sua relação, satisfação e expectativas para com o espaço livre público urbano, com o bairro e com asua moradia durante e após a pandemia, dadas as modificações em suas rotinas. O presente trabalho trata-se de um recorte dessa pesquisa, tendo como objetivo compreender o nível de satisfação das pessoas em relação ao bairro em que moravam e aos espaços abertos da cidade durante a quarentena, bem como suas expectativas de futuro. Para isso,foi aplicado um questionário online, divulgado por meio de redes sociais, através do qual foram coletadas 1858 respostas válidas. Entre os resultados obtidos, destaca-se: i. que o impacto do enclausuramento foi menos sentido por quem tinha na própria residência um espaço ao ar livre; ii. que 44,85% dos respondentes sentiam falta de áreas livres em seus bairros; iii. que entre os elementos dos quais os respondentes sentiam falta em seus bairros, a praça foi o mais votado; e iv. que, comparativamente, ao avaliar-se a vontade das pessoas de frequentar espaços ao ar livre durante e após a quarentena,observou-se uma tendência de aumento do uso dos espaços livres públicos após a quarentena acabar. Os aspectos conclusivos incluíram discussões a respeito dos espaços abertos de interação social, como ruas, praças e parques, que ganharam ainda mais importância durante esse período, evidenciando que há um desafio para as cidades quanto àqualidade ambiental desses espaços durante e após a pandemia.

Redefining the role of green open space through the challenge of COVID-19 (Case study: Blang Padang, Banda Aceh)

Under the government regulations to prevent the spread of COVID-19, namely the emergency public activity restriction (micro PPKM), Blang Padang square has experienced a transformation from a large, open, urban space in Banda Aceh full of multi-function activity to only allowing sports activity and vaccine facilities. Therefore, the aim of this study is to explore whether Blang Padang square has fulfilled the necessary functions during a pandemic and to investigate what kind of transformation or adjustment occurred in the space. This study used qualitative descriptive approach with observation, interview and documentation as data collection tools. Shirvani’s criteria of urban open space became the main framework to answer the investigation of this study. The study confirmed that the transformation of Blang Padang square has benefited Banda Aceh residents to continue with a healthy lifestyle during a pandemic and has provided health facilities in a green square.

Assessing the user’s needs in urban open space of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Public open spaces are standard chosen stations, where individuals can come together and partake in shared activities. Also, the overall purposes of open spaces are cultural and social involvement, integration of nature into a city, and promoters of a healthy lifestyle. However, Addis Ababa as the capital city of Ethiopia has been giving little contemplation to open space from government and private division. Which has led to the obliteration of the remaining open spaces leaving them to disappear. Meskel Square was taken as a case area for further investigation to specify the major cause of isolation, it has been a historical landmark and is located in the center of the city. The site was an eminent meet point for economic, social, and political use during the emperor Haileslase period but over the years it has remarkably reduced in numbers of users, and yet only a few discussions have been made in regards to the context of public open space and its relation to well beings of society in Ethiopia as a whole. Through studying related literature reviews, carrying out cross-sectional studies, physical observations, and analysis of the selected square the paper was able to identify the principal issues. The findings of the research showed the lack of awareness given to the subject, therefore accompanying the deficiency of up-to-date remodeling of the public space and inadequacy of proper physical features.