A comparative study of public green spaces in the changing urban texture in terms of preferences for ornamental plants and visual quality: The case of Bartin (Turkey)

Abstract

The purpose of the present study is to identify the distribution of plant species in the urban public green spaces (UPGS's) of the urbanized area of Bartin, Turkey, and relate the make up of the vegetation to how residents perceive the open spaces both visually and in terms of green space sustainability. the study was conducted in 41 sampled areas in 18 green spaces. These UPGS's were in both old and new urban areas, and were distributed throughout the urbanized area of Bartin. the survey found there were 193 plant species from 59 families in the 41 sampled areas. Based on this survey the present comparative study of UPGS's in both older areas and newer development in Bartin (a) presents the plant species as well as their distribution by family and origin, (b) makes correlations between the socio-demographics of survey participants and their definitions of urban UPGS's, (c) evaluates the sustainability of the UPGS's (on the basis of their aesthetic, ecological, and functional properties), and (d) assesses the visual quality of the UPGSs. A questionnaire was given to 350 participants, and the findings were assessed via a correlation analysis. the findings suggested, with a reliability level of 95%, a statistically significant correlation between the socio-demographics of the participants and their preferences in the changing urban texture (p<0.05). It was determined that whereas users find UPGSs in older urban areas to be more beautiful, traditional and attractive than new parks and gardens in recently developed development (r=0,133*) while it was also determined that the plant texture is richer and has sufficient greenery (r=,176**) in older urban areas. the Bartin public found the gardens of religious buildings in older areas to be more ecological with a score of 3.05 whereas the gardens of public buildings in modem developments were found to be more functional with a score of 3.7 and that park areas with old urban texture characteristics and cemetery areas with new urban texture characteristics were found to be more ecological both with scores of 3.5. When the semantic differential method results are evaluated, it was determined that all expert groups found cemetery areas with both new and old urban texture characteristics to be accessible with a ratio of 32 % and traditional with a ratio of 29 %. UPGSs are an essential component of urban green space planning. Therefore, the present paper provides significant data for further studies on planning, designing and managing UPGSs. More specifically, the sustainability of the vegetation in the UPGSs included in the study is essential for urban ecology and urban planning. the paper concludes with recommendations for development of urban biodiversity, quality of human life, and sustainability of the urban landscape in public open spaces in a city, which is growing at a remarkable rate.