Abstract
In the quest to improve urban quality of life, creating functional and visually appealing urban green spaces plays a pivotal role. This study investigates the influence of five key physical characteristics—availability, maintenance, facilities, environment, and design—on the usability of urban green spaces in three case studies in Erbil: Italian City 2, Hewa City, and Ashti City 2 neighborhoods. The research aims to understand how urban green spaces impact investment housing projects, analyze the relationship between physical factors and urban design usability and explore individuals' perceptions regarding the influence of these factors on urban green space design. Through systematic observation and visual analysis of residential areas, the study reveals that these five physical qualities of green spaces consistently scored above 90%, indicating a strong alignment with usability elements. This suggests that these physical attributes significantly enhance the usability of urban green spaces, which, in turn, supports broader urban design goals. This research highlights the importance of integrating these physical characteristics when planning and designing urban green spaces, particularly within the context of investment housing projects in Erbil's case study neighborhoods. Such enhancements can positively impact urban development and residents' quality of life. Future research should delve into the long-term socio-economic effects of these green space improvments.