Enhancing Urban Green Space Design from a User Perspective: A Field Study of Public Opinion on Al-Mu'alimeen Neighborhood Park in Kirkuk

Abstract

This study aimed at redesigning Al-Mu’alimeen Neighborhood Park (2,500 m²) in Kirkuk City with the help of 60 park users from two different age groups: youth (15–30 years old) and children (6–12 years old). Satisfaction with available features was suboptimal in general, especially fountain (1.5/5) and playground apparatus (1.7/5). Based on the evaluation, a new design concept was developed in Garden Planner software by erasure of the fountain, introduction of native vegetation (between Ziziphus and Thymus), improvement of shaded places and optimization of walking paths. The plan also includes removing turf grass and replacing it with native groundcover plants, along with using drip irrigation, which could reduce water usage by approximately 73%. A comparison between the two designs revealed a 133% increase in shade trees and 100% rise in seating. This finding emphasizes the necessity that successful design starts with users instead of abstract technical theories. To provide greater positive support of the proposal, these were reviewed by seven agriculture and landscape designers who through their correspondence confirmed its feasibility and sustainability in semi-arid lands.