1- lorestan university
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Background and objectives: Today, the lack and improper distribution of urban green space is one of the main challenges in the sustainable development of cities. One of the most important components of urban green spaces is urban parks. In addition to providing a place for recreation and relaxation for urban residents, urban parks play an important role in reducing air and noise pollution, moderating temperatures, preventing floods, providing habitat for birds, increasing the beauty of the landscape, and improving the quality of the environment. Spatial tools such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS) provide precise analyses of the distribution and dispersion of urban parks, enabling the identification of underserved areas and the evaluation of the compatibility of these spaces with adjacent land uses. This research, focusing on the city of Khorramabad, examines the spatial distribution of parks at neighborhood, local, district, and regional scales and evaluates their compatibility with the surrounding environment. The findings of this study can serve as valuable guidance for urban managers and planners in achieving spatial equity and sustainable urban management.
Methodology: The study area of this research focused on the parks within the city of Khorramabad. A total of 61 parks across the city were examined, with 28 parks at the neighborhood scale, 13 parks at the local scale, 13 parks at the district scale, and 7 parks at the regional scale. To analyze the functional radius and service coverage of urban parks at various levels (neighborhood, local, district, and regional), spatial analysis methods, such as buffering and Thiessen polygon techniques, were employed in a Geographic Information System (GIS) environment. These methods allow for a precise evaluation of park service radii and the identification of areas with limited access to green spaces. Spatial analysis also aids in understanding the distribution patterns of parks and their alignment with population needs and spatial distribution of areas. Furthermore, to assess the compatibility of urban parks with surrounding land uses, a land-use compatibility matrix was utilized. This matrix, designed through a survey of urban planning experts, provided a criterion to determine the harmony or conflict between various land uses. Evaluating the compatibility of parks with their surrounding environment, in addition to ensuring equitable access, can help reduce land-use conflicts and enhance the quality of the urban environment.
Results: The results of the buffering analysis revealed that despite a coverage of approximately 2514.74 hectares (equivalent to 53% of the city's area), some urban areas still lack adequate access to parks. In particular, the northern areas of region 1 and the eastern parts of region 2 are facing significant challenges due to a shortage of parks. The Thiessen analysis further emphasizes that the concentration of parks in the central areas of the city has resulted in insufficient coverage in other areas, limiting equitable access to these spaces for citizens. The findings also showed that the highest level of compatibility between parks and surrounding land uses is observed in region 1, where 52.5% of the adjacent land uses are compatible, and only 15% are incompatible. In contrast, the greatest degree of incompatibility was reported in region 2, indicating the need for improvements in the adjacent land uses in this region. Overall, the study results suggest that the current distribution of parks in Khorramabad, with its heavy concentration in central areas and limited access in peripheral locations, requires reconsideration and the development of a comprehensive plan. This revision could play a crucial role in enhancing spatial equity and improving the quality of life for the city's residents.
Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that the distribution and spread of urban parks in Khorramabad face significant challenges. The excessive concentration of parks in the central areas and the lack of green spaces in the northern parts of region 1 and the eastern areas of region 2, especially in neighborhoods with disadvantaged and average-income populations, have resulted in unequal access to these spaces for all citizens. This situation calls for a re-evaluation of urban planning and a reorganization of park distribution. Additionally, while the compatibility of parks with surrounding land uses has been assessed as satisfactory, more attention needs to be given to under-served and peripheral areas of the city in terms of spatial distribution. Overall, this research emphasizes the need for more precise planning and a fairer distribution of parks to improve urban quality of life and enhance citizens' access to urban green spaces.
Background and objectives: Today, the lack and improper distribution of urban green space is one of the main challenges in the sustainable development of cities. One of the most important components of urban green spaces is urban parks. In addition to providing a place for recreation and relaxation for urban residents, urban parks play an important role in reducing air and noise pollution, moderating temperatures, preventing floods, providing habitat for birds, increasing the beauty of the landscape, and improving the quality of the environment. Spatial tools such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS) provide precise analyses of the distribution and dispersion of urban parks, enabling the identification of underserved areas and the evaluation of the compatibility of these spaces with adjacent land uses. This research, focusing on the city of Khorramabad, examines the spatial distribution of parks at neighborhood, local, district, and regional scales and evaluates their compatibility with the surrounding environment. The findings of this study can serve as valuable guidance for urban managers and planners in achieving spatial equity and sustainable urban management.
Methodology: The study area of this research focused on the parks within the city of Khorramabad. A total of 61 parks across the city were examined, with 28 parks at the neighborhood scale, 13 parks at the local scale, 13 parks at the district scale, and 7 parks at the regional scale. To analyze the functional radius and service coverage of urban parks at various levels (neighborhood, local, district, and regional), spatial analysis methods, such as buffering and Thiessen polygon techniques, were employed in a Geographic Information System (GIS) environment. These methods allow for a precise evaluation of park service radii and the identification of areas with limited access to green spaces. Spatial analysis also aids in understanding the distribution patterns of parks and their alignment with population needs and spatial distribution of areas. Furthermore, to assess the compatibility of urban parks with surrounding land uses, a land-use compatibility matrix was utilized. This matrix, designed through a survey of urban planning experts, provided a criterion to determine the harmony or conflict between various land uses. Evaluating the compatibility of parks with their surrounding environment, in addition to ensuring equitable access, can help reduce land-use conflicts and enhance the quality of the urban environment.
Results: The results of the buffering analysis revealed that despite a coverage of approximately 2514.74 hectares (equivalent to 53% of the city's area), some urban areas still lack adequate access to parks. In particular, the northern areas of region 1 and the eastern parts of region 2 are facing significant challenges due to a shortage of parks. The Thiessen analysis further emphasizes that the concentration of parks in the central areas of the city has resulted in insufficient coverage in other areas, limiting equitable access to these spaces for citizens. The findings also showed that the highest level of compatibility between parks and surrounding land uses is observed in region 1, where 52.5% of the adjacent land uses are compatible, and only 15% are incompatible. In contrast, the greatest degree of incompatibility was reported in region 2, indicating the need for improvements in the adjacent land uses in this region. Overall, the study results suggest that the current distribution of parks in Khorramabad, with its heavy concentration in central areas and limited access in peripheral locations, requires reconsideration and the development of a comprehensive plan. This revision could play a crucial role in enhancing spatial equity and improving the quality of life for the city's residents.
Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that the distribution and spread of urban parks in Khorramabad face significant challenges. The excessive concentration of parks in the central areas and the lack of green spaces in the northern parts of region 1 and the eastern areas of region 2, especially in neighborhoods with disadvantaged and average-income populations, have resulted in unequal access to these spaces for all citizens. This situation calls for a re-evaluation of urban planning and a reorganization of park distribution. Additionally, while the compatibility of parks with surrounding land uses has been assessed as satisfactory, more attention needs to be given to under-served and peripheral areas of the city in terms of spatial distribution. Overall, this research emphasizes the need for more precise planning and a fairer distribution of parks to improve urban quality of life and enhance citizens' access to urban green spaces.
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