[SHAPING COMMUNITIES THROUGH URBAN GREEN]

Author Details

Author 1 Name: Ar. Selva Harishni.S

Author 2 Name: Ar. Ranjith Kumar

Author 3 Name: Dr. Prof. Champa.H.S

Corresponding author: [Ar. Selva Harishni.S]

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

First of all, I am thankful to almighty God for the blessings.

I am thankful to Dr.Prof.Champa.H.S, director of SVS school of Architecture.

I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude and deep regard to my guide, Prof.
Ranjith Kumar for his exemplary guidance, valuable feedback and constant encouragement throughout
the duration of the dissertation. His perceptive critiques kept me working to make this dissertation
better.

Besides my guide, I would like to thank my mentor, Ar. Ranjith Kumar, for his insightful comments
and assistance during the initial, decisive stages of the research that helped me frame and direct my
dissertation.

I would also like to thank our dissertation coordinator Dr.Prof.Champa.H.S and all our faculty
members of SVS School of Architecture, for their valuable inputs towards this Dissertation.

Lastly, I would like to thank my family for their moral support and encouragement throughout the
semester.
ABSTRACT:

Public urban green spaces are crucial parts of cities due to the many connections existing between
urban greenery and well-being. Additionally, public urban green space represents a wide range of
spatial concepts, such as parks, urban forests, commons, in-between-spaces, and gardens. This study
explores challenges for contemporary public urban green space in an increasingly urban world, with
high demands on urban growth, and simultaneously the need for more sustainable societies and cities.

Alongside understanding the depth of benefits it provides in shaping the community within which it is
framed. The topics taken under consideration are social, economic, environmental and cultural
framework on the basis of a user behavior analysis in urban green spaces. The demand for UGS, the
need and benefits are discussed. These concepts are looked upon on the basis of the current Indian
scenario, the policies that govern it, its limitations and reasons of failure to bring about shape to its co-
existing community.

A precedent study on a global platform has been conducted to gather information on the current trends
and concepts of successful spaces in relationship to its users, design and planning. Also briefly looks
into its benefits and end results on users and its community with a comparative study on multiple case
studies.

“Urban Green Space Planning would allow us to restore to the city a natural frame-work which would
more readily satisfy the needs of people in the city whilst providing for those other inhabitants - the
flora and fauna.”

The opportunity and indeed necessity exists however for a more meaningful and integrated relationship
to development between urban form and the natural environment. In considering the elements as
naturally dependent within a single whole, it is possible to create a self-sustaining urban landscape in
which green space can take on a number of ecologically and socially enriching roles which contribute
in shaping the society.

Keywords: Urban Green Space, community, Environment, Cultural, Social

1.0 INTRODUCTION
Green spaces both organized and natural or informal are integral part of any urban area and are
essential for maintaining their environmental quality and sustainability. Green spaces can be
categorized as formal referring to parks, gardens and recreation venues and the informal such as rivers
or sea fronts, etcetera. Green spaces may include and become an integral part of buildings and hard
surfaces like pavements and courts. Urban habitats such as derelict industrial sites and overgrown
gardens are also considered as green spaces.

Green spaces are essential parts of any environment which constitute a determining element of the
character, quality and functional value of metropolitan areas. The importance of green spaces in any
built environment are important, because the beauty of building forms and images and the visual
quality of metropolitan areas are dependent on the quality and quantity of green spaces. When
harmony exists between green spaces and buildings in neighbourhood areas, it is simply functional,
liveable, amenable and enjoyable. The visual appearance and attractiveness of towns and cities are
strongly influenced by their green spaces. A high quality built environment consisting of buildings,
access roads and public spaces cannot alone ensure that a town or city is an attractive and appealing
place to live and work but that the landscape of green spaces contribute as much to the quality of the
urban environment as good. Green spaces from the urban areas can be defined as “all publicly owned
and publicly accessible open space with a high degree of cover by vegetation, e.g. parks, woodlands,
nature areas and other green space. It can have a designed or planned character as well as a more
natural character. Only areas that can be entered and used from within are included”. Urban green
spaces fulfil a range of different roles, such as social spaces and areas for recreation and cultural
purposes. They also have economic and environmental purposes.

1.1 STATEMENT

Currently, urban green spaces are just treated as lands with a landscape skin completely lacking a form
or expression that communicates the essence of the city or the community within which it belongs. The
absence of character, functionality, and purpose in them is what is believed to have resulted in the
failure among the ones that currently exist. Thus, this study is conducted to gain a deeper
understanding of urban green spaces as it is required in order to manage and provide benefit to its full
potential. With over 70% of the population of most industrialized nations, now living in cities there is
no more appropriate time to take a closer look at the urban green spaces and its relationship with its
surrounding environment.
Hence, the study topic, “SHAPING COMMUNITIES THROUGH URBAN GREEN SPACES”
1.2 CONTEXT
A frame work of aspects to consider while proceeding into the study. The below sectors of study are
crucial and can make or break the efficiency of the design. Hence they need to be understood in depth
and followed as guidelines.

1.2.1 Social

The existing social fabric of a town or city is a crucial component in the expansion or revitalization
of a particular area. Planners must pay attention to the resources available to different
demographics in the region, like public transportation. The change of residence demand is the most
important and direct cause of domestic residential housing reform. The change of house form is
actually the external behaviour of residence demand. Market law determines the consumer's demand is
always the market orientation. Architects should grasp the rules and understanding market trends
accurately in order to design residences that obey the law of market and are popular with consumers.

1.2.2 Environmental

Environmental factors, in varying degrees, always have a direct influence on the urban environment
formation and the provision of favourable and safe conditions for the life of the population. Their role
in the planning and development of urban areas remains an integral part of the management of such
areas. Management should be aimed at improving the efficiency of use of the territories and ecological
environment improvement. Planning must be done with the consideration of identified ecological
processes in cities on the basis of the information about their occurrence in the past and present.
Currently, cities face a multitude of problems that require urgent and immediate solutions. One of the
most important issues is the poor state of the urban environment, so the environmental factors remain
one of the most critical problems that should be considered by the authorities while implementing the
urban areas' development plans.

1.2.3 Cultural

For example, neighbourhoods in the city of Belfast, Northern Ireland, with its history of sectarian
division, contain areas that are the marked territory of either Protestant and Catholic
communities. Even the smallest details – like which side of the sidewalk one walks on, the colors
of flagstones, the direction from which one enters a building can be powerful delineators of
territory and ethnic identity. In depth understanding of the cultural aspect is at most important to
determine the success of any design.

2.0 KEY ATTRIBUTES OF URBAN GREEN SPACE PROVISION

Green space is an element of architectural composition that makes up an integrated urban space. The
landscape function of green spaces mainly reflects on space and location. Urban green space is defined
as land that consists predominantly of unsealed, permeable, ‘soft’ surfaces such as soil, grass, shrubs
and trees it is the umbrella term for all such areas whether or not they are publicly accessible or
publicly managed. It includes all areas of parks, play areas and other green spaces specifically intended
for recreational use, as well as other green spaces with other origins. The term ‘urban green spaces’ is
used throughout this report as a short hand term for the parks play areas and green spaces of the title as
it includes all these categories.

2.1 HIERARCHY OF AREAS & TYPOLOGIES

Green spaces can be classified in different ways according to their usage patterns (active green spaces
and passive green spaces), ecological function (historic gardens, greenbelts surrounding the city,
agricultural areas and buffer greens) and recreational functions (parks, thematic parks and gardens,
sports fields, playgrounds, natural and semi-natural areas and corridors).

2.2 BENEFITS, VALUES AND FUNCTIONS OF UGS

The importance of cities have increased significantly over the centuries however, the transition from
rural life to urban civilization has led to a technical revolution focused on information technology
which has changed from local to global networks connecting people. This growth in urban population
associated with industrialization has resulted in a range of detrimental and often negative outcomes for
mankind. As an ideal solution to this scenario a large and growing body of research exists on how the
design of the environment can positively or negatively affect people’s health and well-being, as well as
influence their behavior. Hence, a good design of open spaces require the key understanding of the
benefits of UGS to bring about a successful design with minimum potential. Within the scope of this
study, the benefits of urban green areas for people are grouped as the following;
 Flow chart of urban green spaces

3.0 NEED AND DEMAND FOR UGS

Nowadays increase in population in urban settlements leads to traffic and air pollution in major cities.
In our day to day life, the people experience so much health issues and mental strain due to the
urbanism. The green space across the city, inside and outside the building, and through the buildings
makes a remarkable change in the man’s perspective of life. It controls the air and noise pollution and
provides a cool surrounding environment, also provides important social and environmental services
such as: sport and recreation, mental health and well-being, biodiversity conservation, carbon
sequestration, atmospheric pollution filters, improved urban hydrology and water quality and thermal
amelioration.
To Better value, maintain and enhance these urban green spaces we need to be able to quantify the
ecosystem services they provide and understand the social and ecological processes involved. Better
urban green space design, planning and management are necessary to ensure urban climate change
adaptation and to enhance the live ability of cities.
Climate and energy vision is a response both to the science and to new economic and political realities.
Work for a safe and sustainable future for people, places and species, based on an equitable low carbon
society that is resilient to climate change.

Higher density residents and their green space needs People live in higher density dwellings
for a variety of reasons. In some cases, but not all, apartments are cheaper than single family houses, so
income plays a role. Some researchers have found that lower-income residents need better access to
parks and open space because they cannot afford other forms of leisure (e.g. trips, horse riding or golf).
But not all higher density residents are impoverished. Many people seeking to live in apartments are
actually older retirees seeking a ‘sea-change’ lifestyle, close to beaches and amenities. These residents
choose to live in luxury apartments to be close to shops, restaurants, entertainment venues and public
transit routes; they usually have higher disposable incomes. Researchers have found that older people
are less inclined to use parks and other green spaces for reasons related to personal mobility, health and
fear of other park users.59-63 So there is an interaction effect here between density, income, age and
park use that is difficult to tease apart.

3.1 DESCRIBING THE SUPPLY OF UGS

The traditional philosophy underlying the development of the green open spaces within its urban
settings has been to provide residents with opportunities of social, physical, physiological and
environmental benefits, a space for recreation and leisure activities by provide an element of nature
within the urban context. The resulting reality is often a sterile environment of closely mown turf and
well-tended flowerbeds that fit nothing more than a cosmetic role within an increasingly technological
city

3.2 USER BEHAVIOUR ANALYSIS IN UGS

A social-ecological model for the use of urban green space. inspired by giles-corti et al. (2005b) and
sallis et al (2006)

Certain features can be matched with certain experiences, and together they can be combined with
certain types of activities, that in turn are demanded in varying degrees by different types of users. In
short, instead of using one universal socio-ecological model for the use of UGS, a model with four
separate behaviour sections would do more justice to reality. The four types of behaviour in UGS to be
distinguished are: active transport; active, mobile recreational activities; active, stationary, recreational
activities; and passive, stationary recreational activities. Assuming that different combinations of UGS
characteristics are likely to influence each of the four types of behaviour, and furthermore understand
that the likelihood that a person participates in one of the four types of activities also depends on who
they are, which can be simplified to which cluster of users they belong.

Active transport, especially cycling, in an UGS is likely to be stimulated by having good paved
trails or routes with lights that appear safe and sheltered from the elements. Nice views and a peaceful
experience will also contribute positively. From an active living perspective there is not much societal
benefit to gain from moving cyclists from other routes into UGS, but any additional cyclist that stops
using his or her car, is a clear benefit. Furthermore, a greener route might have a positive psychological
effect. Bicycle use for most people in cluster three (students) and cluster two (young couples) is already
very high, so they are not likely to increase their active transport. However, persons in cluster one
(middle aged, well educated) and cluster five (family with young children) can probably be persuaded
to exchange their car for their bicycle for some trips, if attractive, safe routes through UGS are
provided.

Active, mobile recreational activities in an UGS are in a way similar to transport behaviour, but
transport activities have to be done, whereas recreational activities are optional. For recreational
walking, running and cycling this means that the quality of the UGS is more important, and the
experience of being in nature and getting away from the city is essential. Good trails or routes,
preferably paved with gravel, lights for evening and winter use, woodlands, water features, are all
features that are likely to contribute, as are peaceful and wild experiences. Going for a walk in UGS is
by far the most common activity and almost all people do this to a certain extent, and especially
persons in cluster one and four (senior, low educated) like to go for a walk frequently, either alone or in
small (family) groups, with or without their dog, and suitable UGS should therefore ideally be close to
home. Running is an activity mainly done by younger people, especially belonging to cluster two, and
cycling is popular especially among people in cluster one and two.

Active, stationary recreational activities are less common for most people and they require
different qualities from an UGS. To be able to play soccer, or other team sports, there needs to be
enough open space with good lawns. The UGS should feel safe and comfortable for longer stays.
Travelling a bit further, to reach a suitable site is no problem for most teenagers or adult users, but will
be a problem for younger children. People in cluster three participate in these activities relatively
frequent. A special group of active, stationary recreational activities are children’s play activities, either
on a specially designed playground, but just as often on other suitable sites. A good play site is safe,
sheltered and enclosed, while at the same time offering enough (physical) challenges. The younger the
children are, the closer to home the site should be and for parents to take the children for supervised
play it helps if there are good facilities for the adults too. People in cluster five are, with their children,
by far the most frequent users of UGS for play activities.

Finally, passive, stationary recreational activities are common for people in cluster three, and to
a certain extent in cluster two, but these activities are characterized by a strong weather and time
dependency. On a nice and sunny weekend day, or summer evening, demand for these activities will be
high, but on most other times, demand is low. Typical activities in this category are reading, relaxing,
sunbathing, eating and very important drinking. Travelling a bit further to find the right spot, with the
right people, is no problem for most users. For many users these activities are first of all a social
activity done together with friends, but on the other hand also many users like to do activities that fall
into this category on their own, especially if they do not have their own garden. The ideal UGS for
these activities should have many benches, a nice lawn, flowers and service facilities (café and/or
toilet). The area can have serene, festive and historic experiences.

3.3. UNDERSTANDING THE DEMAND FOR UGS

Spatial description systems for the supply of UGS are relatively common, the situation looks different
for systems that describe the demand for UGS spatially. There are significant differences in the use of
UGS depending on the individual characteristics of the users. In theory the demand for UGS in a
certain neighbourhood could be estimated using population demographics, e.g. a neighbourhood with a
lot of families with small children will require a different type of UGS than a neighbourhood with
mainly elderly people. However, as also the level of education and personal preferences play a role in
determining the demand for UGS more detailed information about the neighbourhood residents is
needed to estimate demand accurately. This information will often be available in municipal statistics
departments, but it does not seem to be used very much by green space managers. In theory matching
the local supply of UGS with the local demand should result in optimized use of UGS, which in turn
should help to increase health and well-being of the urban population.
4.1 INDIAN CONTEXT- REASON FOR FAILURE IN AN INDIAN CONTEXT

4.1.1 Generators And Catalyst

Marking up land value and meeting open space ratio standards act as key generators to urban green
spaces. Besides these mandatory regulations and capital elevating reasons such as land trades and a few
aesthetical reasons, there are seldom green spaces that contribute to the well-being.

4.1.2 Access And Linkage

The importance of proximity is failed to be understood. People generally use the nearest spaces most
often even if they were not their preferred spaces and thus local green spaces play an important role in
regular use. Also, it is noticed that majority of the urban green spaces are of a micro and merely a
visual scale without any access given. This limit sand fails to bring the potential of benefits that UGS
can provide.

4.1.3 Purpose And Activities

The scale of most green spaces don’t permit access of movement in and around unable to meet the
premises to enable activities. In other cases they stick to enabling only one activity which focuses on
only one typology and age group of users.This also eliminates the quality of choice presented to
people.

4.1.4 Comfort And Image

Most UGS across the country/city holds similar character and image.

4.1.5 Sociability

There urban spaces are not well designed to the brief of the community which turns into the places
which citizens do not use, thus causing economical loss and communication and social interaction
break down as they cannot meet the needs of people.
4.1.6 Character And Continuity
There is a total lack of character exhibited in urban green spaces and they don’t contribute to its
context. In most cases they are limited to a few trees and benches else a small playground. Landscape
containing a balance in hard and soft-scape, water bodies, zones for activities such as running, small
work outs, socialization, community building etc. are not fulfilled within the same property halting the
building up of character.

4.1.7 Sense Of Place

They are very generic in nature and do not reflect any characteristics of the community or the uses
demand in particular. This creates a forced sense of being and reduces the level of comfort.

4.1.8 Quality Of The Space

Limited technical capacity and lack of maintenance creates a space of sublime quality which in turn
affects the usability of the space.
4.1.9 Legibility And Adaptability

They completely lack the quality of adaptability or even transition from day to night. This limits the
time fame of access, makes it unsafe and drops the quality of the usability of the space. Spaces are
limited to transition wherein they are incapable of catering as a multi-use spaces which a holds
alternative activates such as community gathering, social events, markets etc.

5.0 Conclusion

Urban green areas provide numerous benefits for those living in the city; they clear the air as the city's
lungs, and they mean water and soil for the natural areas in the city. They are the areas where the
community sense of being is developed by establishing a connection between the different parts of the
city, where people ensure the social integration and where the opportunities for mental healing,
knowledge acquisition, physical exercise, and comfort are provided. In other words, they are important
as the social focal points where social needs are met such as the fact that people from different cultures
and socioeconomic classes come together, become acquainted with each other and share the life, and as
the places where those living in the city merge with nature.

Urban green areas are significant for daily lives of everyone including old people, children,
workers and unemployed people living in the city because these people make use of these places and
give meaning to them in different times and for different purposes. However, they certainly have a
meaning and function for us, these urban green areas which become more important day by day up to
now. In order to bring nature and natural places that are ignored because of Industrial Revolution back
to the city, models related to design approaches of open urban spaces should be produced by the
planners and designers. Otherwise, urban spaces that are not designed well will turn into the places
which citizens do not use, thus causing economical loss and communication and social interaction
break down as they cannot meet the needs of people.
While this stresses the value of green space for the area, it is focused primarily upon attracting
people and economic value rather than serving existing residents. This perspective elucidated by
residents that green space should provide spaces of refuge and relaxation, for people in the community
is particularly important and emphasises the importance of green space even in areas where one would
not expect to attract outside visitors or workers.

This study also deals with the use of urban green spaces by understanding the various factors that
influence this use in an urban platform to help shape communities. The main hypothesis is that most
green spaces have the potential to be used more and that this dormant potential can be utilized if green
space managers make the right choices in the planning and management of urban green space
considering proximity, linkages, and activities provided, versatile spaces and meeting demands of the
mixed user groups within close proximity radius from the space. This study has highlights the
important ways in which people use green spaces and their feelings in relation to the green space.

This literature based review dissertation paper states that urban green spaces in socially excluded
areas can increase community cohesion and inclusion of individuals into society in the following four
ways: 1. They are free and accessible to all, 2. They provide space in a comfortable environment for
human interactions, 3. They relieve stress and restore mental wellbeing and physical fitness, 4. They
create a sense of being and builds on community growth.
In conclusion it is understood that there is lack of fulfilment in the Indian scenario on UGS which
has lead to failure of urban green spaces. It also reflects on the high demand and the need for re-
neutering. If thought is given to design, planning and management of urban green spaces across our
country with focus not merely on land trade value but the priority of well-being and improved quality
of live. Then urban green spaces can be used as the key tool to help shape the communities and unify
them on a global platform with a more meaningful and integrated relationship.

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