Abstract JSSP

The Importance of Sociocultural Habits in Park Design, Leisure Behaviour and User Satisfaction. A Comparative Study on Two Parks in İzmir, Turkey

Rengin ZENGEL1, İlknur TÜRKSEVEN DOĞRUSOY1
1 Dokuz Eylül University, Faculty of Architecture, Department of Architecture, Buca-İzmir, TURKEY
E-mail: rengin.zengel@deu.edu.tr, ilknur.türkseven@deu.edu.tr
Pages: 107-117

Abstract. The purpose of this study is to understand whether the types of park usage and satisfaction levels of park users vary depending on park designs in relation to sociocultural habits and leisure behaviour. We examined two parks in Izmir, Turkey's third largest metropolis, from a different cultural perspective. One of the parks, Buyukpark was designed in a modern style within the city centre whereas the other Hasanaga Park was converted from a traditional garden located on the periphery. Both parks offer different capabilities in terms of location, size, activities, landscapes and maintenance. We anticipated differences between the selected parks in terms of their use, satisfaction and requests. Responses were comparatively examined by a structured questionnaire conducted on total 442 people in both parks in April and May 2010. The manicured and modernly designed Buyukpark was generally found more satisfactory. However, Hasanaga Park was found more satisfactory in terms of picnicking and sportive facilities fact that proves the collectivist cultural leisure behaviour in Turkey. The findings of the study put forward the need to introduce designs that stem from the social needs which would also improve the physical conditions of urban parks. At the end of the study the hypothesis that sociocultural habits are important in determining park design using forms and user satisfaction were confirmed.

K e y w o r d s: park design, sociocultural habits, park use, user satisfaction








			The Importance of Sociocultural Habits in Park Design, Leisure Behaviour and User Satisfaction. A Comparative Study on Two Parks in İzmir, Turkey Rengin ZENGEL1, İlknur TÜRKSEVEN DOĞRUSOY1 1 Dokuz Eylül University, Faculty of Architecture, Department of Architecture, Buca-İzmir, TURKEY E-mail: rengin.zengel@deu.edu.tr, ilknur.türkseven@deu.edu.tr Pages: 107-117 Abstract. The purpose of this study is to understand whether the types of park usage and satisfaction levels of park users vary depending on park designs in relation to sociocultural habits and leisure behaviour. We examined two parks in Izmir, Turkey's third largest metropolis, from a different cultural perspective. One of the parks, Buyukpark was designed in a modern style within the city centre whereas the other Hasanaga Park was converted from a traditional garden located on the periphery. Both parks offer different capabilities in terms of location, size, activities, landscapes and maintenance. We anticipated differences between the selected parks in terms of their use, satisfaction and requests. Responses were comparatively examined by a structured questionnaire conducted on total 442 people in both parks in April and May 2010. The manicured and modernly designed Buyukpark was generally found more satisfactory. However, Hasanaga Park was found more satisfactory in terms of picnicking and sportive facilities fact that proves the collectivist cultural leisure behaviour in Turkey. The findings of the study put forward the need to introduce designs that stem from the social needs which would also improve the physical conditions of urban parks. At the end of the study the hypothesis that sociocultural habits are important in determining park design using forms and user satisfaction were confirmed. K e y w o r d s: park design, sociocultural habits, park use, user satisfaction