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American Journal of Social Sciences
2014; 2(6): 173-186
Published online December 30, 2014 (http://www.openscienceonline.com/journal/ajss)
The effects of green spaces and parks on people in
Nicosia - Cyprus
Sevinc Kurt*, Jubril Atanda
Department of Architecture, Cyprus International University, Nicosia, Cyprus
Email address
[email protected] (S. Kurt), [email protected] (J. Atanda)
To cite this article
Sevinc Kurt, Jubril Atanda. The Effects of Green Spaces and Parks on People in Nicosia - Cyprus. American Journal of Social Sciences.
Vol. 2, No. 6, 2014, pp. 173-186.
Abstract
It is obvious that green areas and parks have enormous effects on the community or people who live in that neighborhood.
Green spaces and parks help the children to have a playing area around the community, which brings more comfort. Green
spaces and parks beautify the community, create a pleasant environment for the people and protect the natural environment.
The aim of this article is to investigate the effects of green areas and parks on people in Nicosia considering its influence on the
psychology of the community in the residential areas. This research design is a qualitative research. Case studies will be used
to show how green spaces and parks affect the psychological side of the community and its environment at large and what
benefits it has on the community. Interviews and mapping techniques will also be used in different areas where green spaces
and parks are in the Nicosia. Data will be collected from literature sources books, journals. Photographs will be used also for
existing green areas and parks in Nicosia. This research study will provide a guide in urban design and the use of green spaces
and parks in communities and cities.
Keywords
Green Spaces, Parks, Nicosia, Psychology of Users
1. Introduction
In the world today green spaces and parks are part of our
daily life; they affect our moods and behaviors
psychologically, and they create another environment for us.
Green spaces and parks are the backbone of sustainable and
high quality urban environment. They provide places for
recreation, leisure and entertainment and they have positive
effects on community health. They create suitable
environment for various plants and animals as well. Moreover
green spaces and parks are necessary to have better climatic
conditions. From past researches green spaces and parks have
effectively reduced the high rate of obesity in a community.
Schroeder shows that a community with vegetation and
water surroundings (natural environment) helps the mind to
feel relaxed and stress less than a place with no vegetation [1].
From parks in an environment helps provide the community
with a sense of peacefulness and enriches the city dwellers [2].
Green areas and parks provide a pleasant environment for
the community, which distracts them from the chaos
community.
1.1. Problem Definition
Green spaces and parks are essential in a community in
general; the main essence of this article is to analyze the
effects of green spaces and parks in residential areas in
Nicosia showing how it psychologically affects the human
being and the community at large.
1.2. Aims and Objectives of the Study
Green spaces and parks are areas where people relax with
their family or friends it creates a cool and fresh environment
for the community. The design of some parks welcome people
to stay around the area because of the beauty of the parks or
the way it was the design, which is pleasant.
The main aim is to show how green spaces and parks affect
the residential areas in Nicosia and the objectives are:
To identify green spaces and parks in a residential area
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Sevinc Kurt and Jubril Atanda: The Effects of Green Spaces and Parks on People in Nicosia - Cyprus
To examine how green spaces and parks effect the
human and the community
To discuss and evaluate maintenance and management
of green spaces and parks
1.3. Methodology of the Study
This article is based on how green spaces and parks affect a
community.
In this article both the qualitative and quantitative methods
will be adopted, mapping of the green area and parks, pictorial
and chart analyses will be used, and questionnaires will be
distributed to areas with and without green spaces to see how
effective green spaces are to a community, the retrieved data
would be quantitatively analyzed and processed using SPSS
12.0 for windows.
1.4. Scope of the Study
The scope of this study will cover definition of terms such
as green spaces, parks and other related terms. This article
covers how green spaces and parks can be effectively used,
managed and created for a community, which should help in
creating another environment for relaxation and other
activities outdoor.
2. Literature Review
This chapter illustrates the green spaces and parks
providing definition and types of them, also showing the
existing parks and green areas in Nicosia and how they affect
the community psychologically.
playground, landscaped areas, and watercourse (ponds, lakes
etc.) to mention and many more.
2.1.2. Parks
A park can be defined as an area of land in its natural state,
which is used by the public and as different facilities for
different purposes like relaxing, recreational and many more.
It is controlled and managed by a city, private investor, state or
a nation. Parks helps create a natural environment which
people meet and relate with within a neighborhood, it also
helps increase the use of our outdoor spaces [4]. Parks helps to
improve a community with its historical, aesthetic and
recreational value, which make the community very attractive
for tourist. Presence of trees and grass in outdoor areas which
are parks helps develop social ties and from research studies
green areas helps reduce stress and aggression and relaxes the
mind in the best possible way [5].
2.2. Types of Green Areas and Parks
Green spaces are categorized into two parts the private and
public spaces. Private spaces include gardens, school
playground etc., public spaces include community parks,
national parks, sporting areas etc. they are owned privately
and the government.
Green spaces can also be classified into the followings:
parks and gardens; natural and semi natural green spaces;
green corridors; amenity green space; provision for children
and young people; outdoor sports facilities; allotments and
community gardens; cemeteries and churchyards; mini parks;
neighborhood parks; community parks; district parks;
metropolitan parks; and special-use parks.
2.1. Definition of Green Areas and Parks
Green areas/spaces are areas of grass, trees or vegetation set
aside for recreational, sporting or aesthetic purposes in an
urban environment. Green areas/spaces helps the town or city
to improve the life style of the people physically and health
wise, they provide a place for recreation e.g. jogging, walking,
cycling, meeting people and also they help reduce the stress of
the people in the community from the chaos city. Some
examples of such places include higher education campuses,
parks/gardens and institutional or corporate grounds.
2.1.1. Green Areas/Spaces
Green area/space provides a town/city a relief
psychologically and promotes a healthy life style [3]. Green
areas/spaces aides the location for living and where to locate a
business for a person in a community. Green spaces are
multi-functional; they are used in many different ways. Green
areas/spaces are owned and managed by either the
government or private investors.
Green areas/spaces can also be defined as a an area which
provides light, air, relaxation and recreational space for a
community, which are generally utilized and used by the
people to provide landscape features and add up to benefit the
community. Green area may include these features such as
lawn, planting, and recreational areas including children's
3. Nicosia: History, Geography,
Existing Green Areas and Parks
Nicosia is located in the center of the island at 35°10' north,
33°21' east (35.1667, 33.35) and it’s also the capital city of
Cyprus. Nicosia has a hot subtropical semi-arid climate
classification with long, hot and dry summers with relatively
wet and mild winters. Nicosia is the capital and the largest city
of northern Cyprus. Nicosia is believed to be the political,
cultural and social center of Cyprus with a population of
around 60,000.
Nicosia is the capital city, which is subdivided to the north
and the south side of Cyprus Island. This research study will
be dealing with Nicosia the north side in Cyprus.
Fig. 3.1. The zones in Nicosia
American Journal of Social Sciences 2014; 2(6): 173-186
175
In Fig. 3.1 commercial, industrial and residential zones of
Nicosia are shown.
Fig. 3.2. Nicosia map showing parks
Fig. 3.5. Map of Baris - Demokrasi Park
Fig. 3.3. Nicosia parks with neighborhood areas covered
There are a few numbers of green spaces and parks in
Nicosia listed as follows: Baris ve Demokrasi Park; Gonieli
Kyrenia Roundabout Park, Kumsal Park, Baris Manco Park,
Dr Fazil Kucuk Park, Marmara Park, Kermiya Park, Kugulu
Park, Barbaro Bastion, Rota Park, Quirni Bastion, Caglayan
Park (Fig. 3.2 and Fig. 3.3)
Baris - Demokrasi Park: It’s the biggest park in Nicosia
along Dr Burhan Nalbantoglu Street. People use this park in
their leisure times. It’s also used for political gatherings (Fig.
3.4 and Fig. 3.5).
There is a sculpture, which intends to symbolize the
importance of peace and democracy. Recently, the mausoleum
of Raif Rauf Denktas who was the famous Turkish community
leader is constructed in this park.
Fig. 3.6. Gonieli - Kyrenia Roundabout (Photo by: J. Atanda, 2013)
Gonieli - Kyrenia Roundabout Park: It’s a green space and
a roundabout, which links Nicosia to Omorpho and Kyrenia.
Citizens cannot effectively use this green area since there is
vehicle traffic around (Fig. 3.6 and Fig. 3.7).
Fig. 3.7. Map of Gonieli Kyrenia Roundabout
Fig. 3.4. Baris- Demokrasi Park (www.googleimage.com.tr)
Kumsal Park: A park in a residential area, which is border
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around commercial areas (Dereboyu) on the west side, it’s a
very long park mostly for recreational purpose (Fig. 3.8 and
Fig. 3.9).
Fig. 3.11. Map of Baris Manco Park
Fig. 3.8. Kumsal Park (Photo by: J. Atanda, 2013)
Dr Fazil Kucuk Park: Located in a residential area in
Nicosia along Cetin Basar Street It’s for relaxation and
recreation for kids in the neighborhood, and also for the older
people (Fig. 3.12 and Fig. 3.13).
Fig. 3.9. Map of Kumsal Park
Baris Manco Park: Located in a residential area in Nicosia.
It is a relaxation and recreational park for both the old and the
young ones. Located around Yusuf Aziz Street and Huseyin
Cinka Street (Fig. 3.10 and Fig. 3.11).
Fig. 3.12. Dr Fazil Kucuk Park (Photo by: J. Atanda, 2013)
Fig. 3.13. Map of Dr Fazil Kucuk Park
Fig. 3.10. Baris Manco Park (http://www.panoramio.com)
Marmara Park: Located in a residential zone of Nicosia
along Marmara Area, 23th Street on the north axis and at the
east with Street Oren. It’s a place for relaxation and recreation
for the neighborhood (Fig. 3.14 and Fig. 3.15).
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Fig. 3.17. Map of Kermiya Park
Fig. 3.14. Marmara Park (Photo by: J. Atanda, 2013)
Kugulu Park: This Park is situated to the west side of the
Kyrenia Gate. It’s a traditional park, which has been in
existence for the past 40 year and used for recreational
purpose.
The name originated from the Turkish word Kugu, which
means swan in English, because it originally had a pool with
swam swimming.
It was an area where citizens of Nicosia visited for
relaxation and social gatherings. It was renovated in 1993 and
has been upgraded ever since then.
Although the tourists who came from south part of Nicosia
addition to the tourists coming from Turkey recently visit this
park, Turkish military soldiers who spend their weekends in
the downtown mostly use it.
Furthermore the high school and college students also use
this park often (Fig. 3.18 and Fig. 3.19).
Fig. 3.15. Map of Marmara Park
Kermiya Park: Located in front of Eylul Primary School,
which is used by the school for sporting activities and also
used by the residents for relaxation in the neighborhood (Fig.
3.16 and Fig. 3.17).
Fig. 3.18. Kugulu Park (Photo by: J. Atanda, 2013)
Fig. 3.16. Kermiya Park (Photo by: J. Atanda, 2013)
Fig. 3.19. Map of Kugulu Park
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Barbaro Bastion: The Turkish military force inhabits this
bastion, it also houses the National Struggle Museum, and it is
open to the public (Fig. 3.20 and Fig. 3.21).
Fig. 3.20. Barbaro Bastion (Photo by: J. Atanda, 2013)
Fig. 3.24. Map of Quirini Bastion
Caglayan Park: The Caglayan Park is recently
reconstructed and re-opened in March 2008. It is situated in
the moat area, underneath the city walls of the Bastion, the
park provides a space from the chaos and bustling city.
The park is for both the young and the old, children’s play
areas are they and also seating areas for adults.
Fig. 3.21. Map of Barbaro Bastion
Rotapark: This is the smallest park in Nicosia; it is between
two residential buildings, along Yusuf Kaptan Street (Fig.
3.22).
Fig. 3.25. Caglayan Park (Photo by: J. Atanda, 2013)
Fig. 3.22. Map of Rotapark
Quirini Bastion: Residence of the leader/president of the
Turkish Cypriot community is located here. It is beside the
Kugulu Park (Fig. 3.23 and Fig. 3.24).
Fig. 3.26. Map of Caglayan Park
Fig. 3.23. Quirini Bastion (Photo by:P. King. http://www.panoramio.com)
4. Effects of Green Areas and Parks in
a Community
Green spaces and parks are very important factors of an
urban area; they affect and add values to a community in
different ways, which makes the environment better. They are
listed as follows:
4.1. Social Benefits
Green spaces and parks help in a community, research as
shown that people who make use of their local spaces have
better relationship with their local councils. These spaces such
as green spaces and parks create an avenue for passive and
active recreational activities and offer an escape from the
stress and strain from the urban environment. They are part of
an individual’s daily life style, people taking a walk to parks,
going for recreational participations and many more. Green
spaces and parks has positive effects on the public health in so
many ways, [6] just being outside in a green space or
environment helps promote mental wellness for an individual,
relaxes the stressed mind, alleviate physical problems are
reduces isolation in a community. In their research of Mitchell
& Popham [7], they observed that living near parks or greens
spaces helps reduce health inequalities and that physical or
natural environment helps reduces social economic health
inequalities. It also helps to reduce the rate of obesity in the
community with the use of facilities for recreational
opportunities. From basic research it as shown that people
who participate in exercise programmes are more likely to
continue it than people who go to the gym or leisure centers,
and also residents in high greenery environments are likely
to take frequent physical exercise than those with low
greenery environment [8]. With the increase of noise, traffic
and technology in cities, park or green space helps calm stress
community members and it helps also patients who are
recovering research shows that patients recovering from
surgery, recover faster, having green area surrounding them
such as trees, grass and water [9]. Green spaces and parks also
affect the families and children, they create free spaces, which
are highly accessible and provides recreational environment
for all ages. They help improve communication link between
neighboring families and meet new people, it creates a leisure
time, which helps families unite and have better relationships
[10].
These benefits make an individual in a community have a
better understanding of his/her area and people surrounding
him/her which reduces the time people spend in their various
homes and interrelate with the people in the community. It
gives children the opportunity to move away from their parent
feet. Parks and green space helps support childhood provide a
freedom and they can help eradicate the negative effects of
urban growth on the public environment, encourage children
to become better stewards of the environment in the future
[11]. From researches done it was observed that having trees
and vegetation near homes helps in children’s self discipline
which can be improved by 20% which is mainly affected by
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girls and it is related to better concentration even when
adjusted for all other factors [12]. In the education sector
green spaces and parks create an environment where people
develop their awareness; it’s an environment for playing and
interaction, which creates an outdoor classroom. They help
support school curriculum activities by providing interactive
areas, resources around the outdoor space [13]. Green spaces
and parks help a child in knowing its natural environment.
They help create a social interactive space for older people
who are lonely, by meeting old friends and reviving memories.
Green paces and parks have great effect on the crime rate in a
community. A Dirty and dangerous environment encourages
vandalism and anti-social behavior and clean areas are the
reverse. Green spaces and parks brings out the creativity in an
individual, remembers the heritage of the community. They
are historically associated with the name of the park, or
monument/commemorative feature in the spaces, which tells
the story of the community to the young ones by creating that
relationship between the community and them, having
positive benefits like sense of identity and pride of the
community to the individual and also giving the area a unique
character that contributes tourism.
4.2. Economic Benefits
Green spaces and parks have a significant impact on
economical values to a community and urban centers. Parks,
gardens, green spaces are economic levers in attracting a
retaining business, because spaces with greens attracts high
price for houses, attracts spaces where business can be sited i.e.
the location of a company. According to Crompton et al.,
[14], they increase property values, house with green areas are
more expensive than houses without and they help redevelops
and renew a community, which helps communities reduces
waste land and make a better use with it, as creation of a green
space or park. Green spaces and parks also provide great
values like activities as walking, picnicking, cycling etc. They
contribute to the reduction of air pollution in a community,
reduction of building heat and cooling cost, absorbing carbon
dioxide and producing oxygen, by filtering harmful particles
in the atmosphere.
A major factor economical benefit of green spaces and
parks is that it creates an environment for tourism; by this
community revenue increases. It’s also used for hosting events
either small or large ones and benefits the community in terms
of revenue. Finally green spaces and parks help improve the
employment rate in a community, the more the park in an
environment the more employment you get from the area.
4.3. Environmental Benefits
Green spaces and Parks have great impact on the economic
value of a community, it protect and conserve biodiversity.
Green spaces and parks are habitat for wildlife. They help
keep our air and water clean, counteracting the damaging
effects of pollution. Green spaces and parks offer refuges for
threatened species and buffers against the impacts of climate
change. Green spaces and parks provide habitation for
180
mammals e.g. birds, insect’s plants etc. that should be
adequately maintained for different species and meet
biodiversity conservation objectives [15]. From research
studies green spaces enhances closeness to nature for people
who enriches them positively in different ways like health
wise and desired pleasure from trees, bird and many more
[16].
With green spaces and parks, they improve air quality and
reduce pollutants. From research studies a tree helps lower
carbon emission in the atmosphere, also when trees are
planted for shade cover they acts as wind breakers and tend to
generate 10-50% savings in cooling expenses and 4-22%
savings of heating costs, by this carbon based fuel used is
reduced and therefore the emission that reduces air quality
also reduces [17]. Moistures from green spaces and parks
(trees) emitted into the air and cool cities and towns and make
them comfortable to work and live. Green spaces and parks
have a large cover area for soil system and vegetation, which
soaks up rainfall. They also help reduce the volume and rate of
run-off and contribute to a sustainable urban drainage
situation.
Green spaces and parks influence the visual appearance and
attractiveness of a town or city. The landscape of green spaces
and parks contribute to the quality of urban environment and
create a sense of good architecture. Green space and parks
reconnect people to nature with all its complexity of line,
colors, smells, texture and shape. Lack of natural green spaces
creates an unpleasing environment, which discourages people
from living or locating their businesses. Green spaces and park
play an active role in waste management by natural biological
system for waste, which will make the environment more
sustainable [18].
Green spaces and parks help the
community in making/producing their own local foods, and
they benefit from it in so many ways like people producing
food acquire new skills, and provide training opportunities, it
can also provide health benefits eating fresh food improve
nutrition’s, nurturing plant or rearing animal is an exercise.
Food, which are grown locally, creates social enterprise,
encourages the community to take part in community
activities like cooking classes and many more.
Green spaces and parks help a community in the mitigation
and adaptation of climatic changes; they create an avenue for
community to grow their food, which reduces the use of
nitrogen fertilizers. Foods produced locally cuts down
transportation cost and emission of greenhouse gas.
Green spaces and parks make transportation routes easier
for the community and they help moderate temperature,
through the evapotranspiration and the provision of shade in
the spaces. From research studies air under a tree’s canopy
can be as much as 5-10ºC cooler compared to full sun [19].
This ensures that towns and city are comfortable for living and
working. These green spaces and parks more or less. Finally a
basic environmental value of green spaces and parks has on a
town or city is that they help improve transport patterns in a
area because well designed street encourage walking, cycling
and reduces vehicular speed and use.
5. Methodology
In this article a qualitative and quantitative approach was
used. However it was mainly, a qualitative approach rather
than a quantitative one. The data collection methods include
the use of questionnaires, personal observations and
theoretical investigations for the study. It can also be referred
to as a mixed method design.
This research focused on green spaces and how they affect
the human and community used different methods such as
case study. The parks and green spaces in the study area where
visited and 50 questionnaires were distributed and retrieved,
pictures were also taken in the parks and green areas.
A case study is an empirical inquiry that investigates a green
spaces and parks phenomenon within its real life context,
especially when the boundaries between phenomenon and
context are not clearly evident [20]. This strategy is very much
appropriate for this research problem and thus was effectively
used.
5.1. Area of Study
As the study area was parks and green spaces in Nicosia,
researchers visited most of these study areas for clear
understand and observation.
5.2. Participants Selections
50 questionnaires was shared randomly among people in
parks, premises of these parks and also within the city of
Nicosia (schools).
The questionnaires were given to both men and women
randomly in no ratio, it was simple and easy to understand so
participants were aware of the research problem and
voluntarily participated.
5.3. Data Collection Method
The data collection method of this study was taking of
personal observations, pictures and
administering
questionnaires, precautions were highly taking into
consideration by effectively observing the parks and
administering the appropriate and correct questionnaire to aid
this study.
5.4. Data Presentation and Analysis
50 questionnaires distributed and collected and their data
will be analyzed using the IBM SPSS statistics 20 version and
the result will be presented.
6. Data Presentation
6.1. Personal Observation in Parks
The research visited parks in Nicosia and observed some
details; the details are stated as follows:
The park is was mostly visited by the children with their
parents for recreational activities (Fig. 6.1)
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The parks were not highly maintained and over grown
grasses and weeds littered the areas (Fig. 6.5)
Fig. 6.1. Children in Parks
The park had playing areas which aided children to go
and make friends (Fig. 6.2)
Fig. 6.5. Lack of Maintenance in the Parks
They were well design for the neighborhood around
them.
6.2. Data Analysis of Demographic Questions
Age of the respondents:
Table 6.1. Age of the respondents
S/N
1
2
3
Fig. 6.2. A Playground for Children in the Park
Old people visited the parks for natural fresh air, reading
novels and relaxation (Fig. 6.3)
Response
15-24
25-40
41 and above
Total
Frequency
17
23
10
50
Percentage (%)
34
46
20
100
It was observed that all participants dully answered the
questionnaires given to them, the highest percentage of the
respondent was 46% which fell into the age bracket of 24-40
year of age, the next was 34% respondent who were 15-24
years of age and the least was 20% respondents who were 41
and above (Table 6.1 and Fig. 6.6).
Fig. 6.3. Old People in the Parks
People were seeing in the park doing sum exercise and
joggings which could help reduce obesity (Fig. 6.4)
Fig. 6.6. Age of the respondents
Sex of respondents:
Table. 6.2. Sex of Respondents
S/N
1
2
Fig. 6.4. Sport area in the Parks
Response
Male
Female
Total
Frequency
30
20
50
Percentage (%)
60
40
100
182
It was observed that 60% of the respondent was male while
40% were female (Table 6.2 & Fig. 6.7)
Data Analysis of Research Questions
Question 1: Do you think green space /park in this area
improves the social benefits in this community?
The chart in Fig. 6.10 showed that 76% of respondents
agreed that green space/park improves the social benefits of
the community, while 8% disagreed.
Fig. 6.7. Sex of Respondents
Fig. 6.10. About the Social Benefits
Marital status of respondents:
The valid percentages as deduced from the chart in Fig. 6.8
showed that 52% was the highest and its respondents were
single followed by 20% those are respondents who are
married and the lowest valid percentage is that of the divorcee
respondents with 8%.
Question 2: Do you think the green space/park in this area
creates environmental benefits for this community?
The chart in Fig. 6.11 shows that 74% of the respondent
agreed that green spaces/parks creates environmental benefits
to the community, while 26% disagree to this.
Fig. 6.8. Marital Status of Respondents
Occupations of respondents:
The data received shows that 40% of the respondents that
filled the questionnaire were students which was the highest,
then 16% were business men/women around neighborhood,
then 18% were academician, then 14% were staffs working at
the parks and the least 12% were other which were
housewives (Fig.6.9).
Fig. 6.9. Occupations of Respondents
Fig. 6.11. About the Environmental Benefits
Question 3: Do you think green spaces/parks enhance
health benefits in this community?
The chart shows that 72% of the respondent agreed that
green spaces/parks enhance health benefits in the community
while 28% disagree (Fig. 6.12).
Fig. 6.12. About the Health Benefits
Question 4: Do you think the green spaces/parks in this
area create facility benefits in this community?
As seen in Fig 6.13 it was observed that 66% of the
respondent agreed to the fact that green space/park creates
facility benefits in the community.
183
From the Fig. 6.15 it was deduced that 62% of the
respondent agreed that green space/park helps create personal
benefits in the community, while 38% disagree to this.
Question 7: How often do you visit the green space/park in
your area in summer?
The pie chart in Fig. 6.16 shows that the highest percentage
of respondent who visits the green spaces /parks in their area
daily during summer is 28%, then 26% visits weekly, then 26%
visits monthly, then the least is 8% who visits annually. It was
also observed that 6% failed to answer to this question.
Fig. 6.13. About the Facility Benefits
Fig. 6.16. Use of Parks in Summer
improves economic benefits in this community?
As seen in Fig 6.14, it was observed that 38% of the
Question 8: How often do you visit the green space/park in
respondent agreed to the fact that green space/ park improves
your
area in winter?
the economic benefit in the community while a higher level 62%
The
pie chart in Fig. 6.17 shows that the highest percentage
of the respondent disagreed.
of respondent visits the green spaces /parks in their area,
annually during winter is 32%, then 30% visits monthly, then
16% visits weekly ,then 16% who visits daily. It was also
observed that 6% failed to answer to this question.
Fig. 6.14. About the Economic Benefits
Fig. 6.17. Use of Parks in Winter
helps create your personal benefits in this community?
Question 9: Do this green space /park help reduce crime in
this community? Why?
As seen if Fig. 6.18, 52% of the respondent agreed that
green space/ park reduces crime in the community, while 42%
disagree.
Fig. 6.18. Decrease in Crime
Fig. 6.15. About the Personal Benefits
184
Question 10: How would you rate the green space/park in
your area?
As seen in fig Fig. 6.19, 22% of the respondent rate the
green space /park in their area poor, 34% rates it fair, 36%
rates it good and a total of 8% rates in excellent.
Question 11: Do you think the design of the green
space/park makes it more attractive for people to come?
As seen in fig 6.20, 60% agreed that the design of the park
makes it more attractive for them to go while 40% disagreed.
Fig. 6.19. Rating of the Park in Neighbourhood
Fig. 6.20. The Positive Effect of the Design of Park
Question 12: How do you explain your mood in the green
space/park; relaxed, happy, comfortable, anxious, etc? Why
do you feel like that?
Fig. 6.21 shows that, 24% of the respondent feel relaxed in
the green space/park in their area, 30% feel comfortable, 10%
feel anxious, 24% feel happy and 12% feel indifferent.
Fig. 6.21. The Mood of Users
7. Analyses and Interpretation of
Research
This chapter shows the result of the analysis of the
questionnaire in the previous chapter and discussions.
From the analysis of question 1 it was observed that
majority of the respondent in Nicosia feel that green
spaces/parks helps improve social benefits which bores down
to a fact that, it helps people have that environment for social
interaction with neighbors and creation of community
awareness (see Fig. 6.10). Analysis of question 2 shows that
most of the respondent agreed that green spaces/parks create
environmental benefits to the community, the reason behind
this result can be traced to that closeness to nature helps the
health of an individual an also green spaces and parks helps
improve the air quality of an environment [21] (see Fig. 6.11).
In the analysis of question 3 it was observed that most
respondent agreed that green spaces/parks helps enhance
health benefit in Nicosia this bores down to the fact that, it is a
place for exercise, relaxation from the chaos city and it was
observed from research [22] that green spaces/parks help
patient recovery quickly from surgery. (See Fig. 6.12). In
question 4 it was observed that the green spaces/park in
Nicosia creates that facility benefit for the occupants in it
having a place to go, children playing out door and a place for
recreation (see Fig. 6.13). In the analysis of question 5 most
respondent disagreed that green spaces /parks improves the
economic benefits of Nicosia, the result of this can be traced to
the fact that green spaces/parks are limited in this community,
not highly maintained and regarded as a place for tourist and it
does affect the rate/value of land purchase, and events are not
been organized to create that social gathering for the
community or city at large (see Fig. 6.14).
In the analysis of question 6 it was clear that the green
space/park in Nicosia created personal benefits to the people,
having seen in Fig. 6.15 that 31 respondent said yes. From the
analysis of question 7and 8 it was observed that respondents
visit the parks during the summer season daily than weekly or
monthly, but during the winter season they visit the parks
annually and monthly than daily or weekly, this shows that
weather conditions also affect visitation of green spaces/parks
in an environment (see figure Fig. 6.16 & Fig. 6.17) ratio of
the respondent to this question was slightly on a balanced
figure, 52% of respondent agreed that green space/park
reduces crime rate while 42% disagreed, this result can be
traced to the fact that the level of crime rate in Nicosia is low,
and the space creating a positive mind for the user which also
helps reduce crime (Fig. 6.18).
Data retrieved and analysis shown in question10, most of
the respondents rated the green space/park as good and fair
(see Fig. 6.19). Analysis of question 11 shows that most of the
respondent felt that the green space/park in the environment
makes it attractive for them to go. In the analysis of question
12 (Fig. 6.21) it was observed that most respondent felt
comfortable, relaxed and happy in the green spaces/parks in
the neighborhood, this bores down to the fact that, it makes
them forget about the chaos city, meeting with friends, and
they have positive feeling of the surroundings by walking,
eating, drinking etc.
From the results, this shows that this research also support
theories of other researches stated in the literature reviews on
how green spaces/ parks help to benefit a community.
http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S027249440580185
9
[2]
Kaplan, R., 1983. The analysis of perception via preference: a
strategy for studying how the environment is experienced.
Landscaping. Urban Planning. 12, 161–176.
[3]
Springgate, L., (2008). Defining Parks and Park Systems.
Recreation to Re-creation. American Planning Association.
[4]
Coley, R. L., Sullivan, W. C., & Kuo, F. E. (1997). Where Does
Community Grow?: The Social Context Created by Nature in
Urban Public Housing.Environment and Behavior.
[5]
Kuo, F. E., Bacaicoa, M., & Sullivan, W. C. (1998).
Transforming Inner-City Landscapes: Trees, Sense of Safety,
and Preference. Environment And Behavior, 30(1), 28-59. Sage
Publications.
Retrieved
from
http://eab.sagepub.com/cgi/doi/10.1177/0013916598301002
[6]
CABE Space. (2009). [ARCHIVED CONTENT] Future health:
sustainable places for health and well-being | Publications |
CABE.
(n.d.).
Retrieved
from
http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20110118095356/ht
tp:/www.cabe.org.uk/publications/future-health
[7]
Mitchell, R., & Popham, F. (2008). Effect of exposure to
natural environment on health inequalities: an observational
population study. Lance, 372(9650), 1655-1660. The Lancet
Publishing
Group.
Retrieved
from
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(08)61689-X
[8]
Ellaway, A., Macintyre, S., & Bonnefoy, X. (2005). Graffiti,
greenery, and obesity in adults: secondary analysis of European
cross sectional survey. BMJ British Medical Journal,
331(7517), 611-612. BMJ Publishing Group Ltd. Retrieved
from http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmj.38575.664549.F7
[9]
Ulrich, R. S. (1984). View through a window may influence
recovery from surgery. Science, 224(4647), 420-421. American
Association for the Advancement of Science. Retrieved from
http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/doi/10.1126/science.6143402
8. Conclusion
Nicosia is a city that is growing year in year out with an
increase rate of tourist, therefore the creation of an outdoor
space, which makes the city more attractive, and effects the
community positively has to be present. The environment as to
be friendly, calm and nature as to be felt with the use of green
space and parks this can be adequately achieved.
From results observed it has shown that this research has
support from other researches and theories given that green
space/parks has a great effect on people with different benefits
(socially, economically, environmentally, and physically) in a
community. As seen in question 5 (see Fig. 6.14) that green
space/parks has not been effective in improving the economic
benefit in Nicosia, with adequate implementation and
knowledge of what a green space and park are, this can boost
the community dwellers and the government on creation of an
area/ space that will add up to the economic value of the
community, which could be used as a tourist center because
Nicosia is already known as an area for tourism having ancient
structure, by adding up a well maintained and standard green
spaces/parks it will be a perfect match for tourism and
economic growth.
The research as demonstrated that a quality green space/
park could improve social benefit in a community, crime
reduction, reduction of obesity, health improvement and also
foster unity within neighborhood and the community at large.
With green space and park it improves the natural
environment, which helps aide’s good air quality, fresh air and
the use of landscaping to aesthetically beautify the
environment. A major environmental benefit is the production
of local food, here in Nicosia there is a large production rate of
fruits with people having gardens to grow and sell fruits. A
surrounding with green space and park helps cool the
environment and also improves the health standard of the
people in the community from Kuo's research [23] humans
prefer a natural environment with landscapes, because it is an
key factors in human habitation, and helps improve their
psychological and social health, and has an great effect on
blood pressure, mood, daily effectiveness, social behavior,
heart rate, cognitive functioning, and work performance. With
the government providing green space and park in each
residential location in Nicosia good quality air, crime rate and
improved health will be present in the city and food
production rate will increase drastically.
References
[1]
Schroeder, H. W. (1991). Preference and meaning of arboretum
landscapes: Combining quantitative and qualitative data.
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[10] Couchman (1988). as cited in Canadian Parks/Recreation
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benefits
catalogue.
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Ont.:
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green
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[19] Barton, S. (2008). Adapted from the lecture “The healing
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November 18.
[20] Groat, L. N., & Wang, D. (2002). Architectural research
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public space: how high quality parks and public spaces create
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CABE. (n.d.). Retrieved from
tp:/www.cabe.org.uk/publications/the-value-of-public-space
[22] Ulrich, R. S. (1984). View through a window may influence
recovery from surgery. Science, 224(4647), 420-421. American
Association for the Advancement of Science. Retrieved from
http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/doi/10.1126/science.6143402
[23] [Kuo, F. E. (2001). Coping with Poverty: Impacts of
Environment and Attention in the Inner City. Environment And
Behavior, 33(1), 5-34. Sage Publications. Retrieved from
http://eab.sagepub.com/cgi/doi/10.1177/0013916012197284

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