DETERMINATION OF USER SATISFACTION IN TERMS OF THE FUNCTIONS OF URBAN OPEN GREEN SPACES: TRABZON EXAMPLE

Abstract

Urban spaces are the areas which undergo the most changes in time since they either expand or shrink with the migrations they have received or sent. While the uncontrolled growths change cities, particularly city centres rapidly, the changes emerging which are against the plans cause the borders and functions of the urban open green spaces to change more with each passing day. These changes especially affect the physical, aesthetic, psychologic, recreation, ecological functions of open green spaces and the satisfaction that the users have from these areas. Moreover, these changes experienced in cities cause disconnection in the inter-correlation of open green spaces and make them disorganised. In this study, it is aimed to have the functions of open and green spaces in Trabzon city centre which is still developing and changing, evaluated by the users and determine their satisfaction levels. In this study, the necessary information was provided by carrying out a literature study regarding the functions of the first urban open green spaces and user satisfaction. In the study, physical, correlation, psychological, aesthetic, recreation and sociological functions were evaluated among the functions of the urban open and green spaces. 21 expressions defining these functions were questioned by the method of the local user survey. The answers given by the local users to these expressions were statistically analysed, and the local user satisfaction levels were determined accordingly. In conclusion, the functions and user satisfaction levels of four different open and green spaces in Trabzon city centre were determined.