Assessing user satisfaction of urban parks for sustainable cities: A pilot study of two urban parks in Chennai, India

Abstract

Abstract Parks are significant potential spaces in the urban environment and it can provide multiple socio-ecological benefits, when appropriately planned, designed and managed. It presents a vital opportunity to enhance the sustainability in cities and it also improves the local quality of life by providing access to recreation and public health. To create more sustainable and liveable cities, it is essential to assess the performance of urban parks from the user’s perspective and understand their preferences. The aim of the current research article is to identify crucial parameters, their significance and assessment methods to achieve user satisfaction in an urban park setting. Critical analysis of literature forms the substratum for the identified parameters. These identified parameters are then used in the evaluation of two urban parks in Chennai, India through documentation and questionnaire survey. A user satisfaction survey based on the identified parameters and a user preference survey are included in the questionnaire. A grading method is developed based on the hierarchy of user’s satisfaction. The relationship between the park’s attributes and people’s satisfaction in urban parks was investigated in this study to ameliorate the overall performance of the parks. The study can be conducted in other cities too to aid the design professionals, urban decision-makers, landscape architects, and other stakeholders in evaluating the performance of the existing urban parks and assisting them in designing and setting up the urban parks from the users’ perspective so as to enhance more liveable communities.