An Analysis of User Experiences in Urban Green Public Spaces to Formulate More Inclusive Design Principles

Mohammad Imran; Martinus Bambang Susetyarto

doi:10.55927/fjst.v5i1.392

Authors

Mohammad Imran Universitas Negeri Gorontalo
Martinus Bambang Susetyarto Universitas Trisakti

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55927/fjst.v5i1.392

Keywords:

Inclusive Design, User Experience, Green Public Space, Urban Architecture, User-Based Design

Abstract

Urban green public spaces play a vital role in environmental quality and social life, yet their design often prioritizes physical and aesthetic aspects while overlooking diverse user experiences, limiting inclusivity across age, gender, and social groups. This study analyzes user experiences of urban green public spaces to inform more inclusive design principles in architecture and urban design. Using a mixed-methods approach, qualitative data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 10 purposively selected users, while quantitative data were obtained from a survey of 100 respondents across two sites in the Minahasa Peninsula (North Minahasa and Tondano). Data were analyzed using thematic analysis and descriptive statistics. The findings indicate that user comfort, accessibility, and sense of safety are shaped not only by physical elements but also by circulation quality, spatial legibility, and design flexibility for formal and informal activities. The study demonstrates that a user experience–based approach reveals overlooked dimensions of inclusivity and proposes contextual, applicable design principles for developing more equitable, responsive, and sustainable urban green public spaces.

References

Cilliers, E. J., & Timmermans, W. (2021). The importance of context in planning green urban spaces. Land Use Policy, 109, 105605. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landusepol.2021.105605

Evans, J., & Jones, P. (2021). The walking interview: Methodology, mobility and place. Applied Geography, 127, 102374. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apgeog.2020.102374

Fetters, M. D., Curry, L. A., & Creswell, J. W. (2020). Achieving integration in mixed methods designs—Principles and practices. Journal of Mixed Methods Research, 14(4), 462–478. https://doi.org/10.1177/1558689820930436

Foth, M., Brynskov, M., & Ojala, T. (2023). Citizen-centered urban design for inclusive public spaces. Urban Studies, 60(4), 713–729. https://doi.org/10.1177/00420980221127534

Francis, J., Giles-Corti, B., Wood, L., & Knuiman, M. (2021). Creating sense of community: The role of public space. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 74, 101552. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2021.101552

Francis, J., Giles-Corti, B., Wood, L., & Knuiman, M. (2024). Creating flexible public open spaces for diverse urban populations. Landscape and Urban Planning, 243, 104941. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2023.104941

Gehl, J., & Svarre, B. (2021). How to study public life. Journal of Urban Design, 26(2), 139–154. https://doi.org/10.1080/13574809.2020.1867028

Guest, G., Namey, E., & Saldaña, J. (2020). Collecting and analyzing qualitative data at scale. Field Methods, 32(3), 220–238. https://doi.org/10.1177/1525822X20919002

Hair, J. F., Hult, G. T. M., Ringle, C. M., & Sarstedt, M. (2022). A primer on partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) (3rd ed.). Sage Publications.

Hennink, M., & Kaiser, B. N. (2022). Sample sizes for saturation in qualitative research: A systematic review. Qualitative Health Research, 32(2), 217–230. https://doi.org/10.1177/10497323211038703

Houlden, V., Weich, S., Jarvis, S., & de Vocht, F. (2021). A systematic review of the health benefits of urban green space. BMC Public Health, 21(1), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-021-10567-1

Imrie, R., & Luck, R. (2021). Designing inclusive cities: Interrogating the role of user experience. Cities, 117, 103302. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cities.2021.103302

Kabisch, N., Püffel, C., Masztalerz, O., Hemmerling, J., & Bonn, A. (2021). Urban green space availability in European cities. Ecological Indicators, 125, 107534. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2021.107534

Liu, H., Li, F., Xu, L., & Han, B. (2021). Urban green spaces and social interaction. Sustainable Cities and Society, 74, 103192. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scs.2021.103192

López-Bonilla, J. M., Reyes-Rodríguez, M. C., & López-Bonilla, L. M. (2023). Inclusive public spaces and urban well-being: A user-centered approach. Cities, 132, 104057. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cities.2022.104057

Markevych, I., Schoierer, J., Hartig, T., Chudnovsky, A., Hystad, P., Dzhambov, A., & Fuertes, E. (2020). Exploring pathways linking greenspace to health. Environmental Research, 186, 109613. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2020.109613

Markevych, I., Schoierer, J., Hartig, T., Chudnovsky, A., Hystad, P., Dzhambov, A. M., & Fuertes, E. (2020). Exploring pathways linking greenspace to health: Theoretical and methodological guidance. Environmental Research, 181, 108957. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2019.108957

Mehta, V. (2020). Public space: Notes on why it matters, what we should know, and how to realize its potential. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780429201910

Permatasari, A., Koerniawan, M. D., & Wonorahardjo, S. (2022). Inclusivity of urban public spaces in Indonesian cities. Sustainability, 14(3), 1692. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14031692

Peters, K., Elands, B., & Buijs, A. (2021). Social interactions in urban parks: Stimulating social cohesion? Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, 65, 127345. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ufug.2021.127345

Plano Clark, V. L., & Ivankova, N. V. (2022). Mixed methods research: A guide to the field. Sage Publications.

Rigolon, A., Browning, M. H. E. M., McAnirlin, O., & Yoon, H. (2021). Green space equity during a global pandemic. Landscape and Urban Planning, 210, 104095. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2021.104095

Sauter, D., & Huettenmoser, M. (2022). User perception and public space usability. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 80, 101776. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2022.101776

Shaftoe, H. (2020). Convivial urban spaces and social life. Journal of Urban Design, 25(4), 423–439. https://doi.org/10.1080/13574809.2020.1730697

Stevens, Q., & Ambrey, C. L. (2020). Human-centered urban design and public space use. Urban Design International, 25(4), 293–307. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41289-020-00116-9

Taherdoost, H. (2020). Sampling methods in research methodology. International Journal of Academic Research in Management, 9(1), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3205035

Vale, D. S., Saraiva, M., & Pereira, M. (2022). Accessibility and equity in urban green spaces. Cities, 121, 103505. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cities.2021.103505

Yung, E. H. K., Conejos, S., & Chan, E. H. W. (2020). Public open spaces and social sustainability. Sustainable Development, 28(4), 980–996. https://doi.org/10.1002/sd.2032

Zuniga-Teran, A. A., Stoker, P., Gimblett, R., Orr, B. J., Marsh, S. E., Guertin, D. P., & Chalfoun, N. V. (2021). Exploring the influence of urban form on wellbeing. Landscape and Urban Planning, 209, 104041. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2021.104041