The design of public open spaces frequently does not address the physical and psychological needs of their users with regard to their ages. This research gathered and restated the needs and preferences of teenagers, as an understudied group, in public open spaces, with an emphasis on neighborhood parks. Utilizing a neighborhood park in Roanoke, Virginia, the study developed findings that can influence the design of public open spaces, with the goals of providing social and physical benefits of neighborhood parks for teenagers. This research was conducted through two phases of interviews. The first phase of interviews took place with professionals who had experience in working with teenagers. The data collected in the first phase of interviews with adults were utilized for the second phase of interviews, which were with teenagers. Experimental models of the study site were created for the second phase to assist the interviewees in visualizing the various designs. In the second phase, the design options were presented to the teenaged study group in response to teenagers' characteristics and needs as determined by the outcomes of the first phase of interviews. The teenagers were asked to state their preferences among the design options. The different options for designing neighborhood parks utilized a neighborhood park in Roanoke, Virginia, as a study site. The findings of this research suggest that teenagers prefer to utilize spaces closer to the front of the park, by its edges, entrances, and exits, and the parking lot. These findings suggest that there may be no need to design specific spaces dedicated for teenagers in public spaces; however teenager's preferences should be considered in the design process of public spaces. Based on the findings of this research and the suggested relationships among the design attributes of neighborhood parks and teenagers' use of space, this research suggests that providing public spaces is linked with increased opportunities for the social development of teenagers. The primary implications of the findings of this research could help inform landscape architects and urban planners in their designs of future public open spaces that address the needs of teenagers. / Master of Landscape Architecture

Master of Regional and Community Planning / Department of Landscape Architecture/Regional and Community Planning / Jason Brody / Recent research has focused on assessing equity with regards to location of public services and the population served. Instead of equality, equity involves providing services in proportion to need, rather than equal access for everyone. This study uses three commonly identified measures of accessibility (minimum distance, travel cost, and gravity potential) to assess how equitable higher-need residential populations of Kansas City, MO are served by neighborhood parks. Using Census 2000, socio-economic block group data, areas with high population concentrations of African-American and Hispanic populations, as well as areas of high density and low income are characterized as having the most need. However, correlations of higher-need populations with the accessibility measures reveal patterns of equity within the Kansas City. MO study area. Results indicated that while most of the high need population was adequately and equitably served by neighborhood parks, there were still block groups that did not have access to this type of public resource. This research follows methods proposed in previous studies that utilize the spatial mapping and analysis capabilities of ArcGIS and promote the use of these tools for city planners and future park development and decisions.

Thesis (MA (Geography and Environmental Studies)--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to determine how class differentiation influences local residents‟ perceptions, preferences, needs and use of community/neighbourhood parks in the City of Cape Town. The research objectives included mapping the social geography and park provision; determining profile information, general park-usage information, outdoor recreation options, service-delivery perceptions and levels of park satisfaction; and making suggestions to the City Parks Department. Data were collected from the Flowmap and geographic information systems (GIS) programmes, the 2007 Community Survey, Census 2001 and questionnaires that were distributed through schools. Two Flowmap and GIS proximity analyses were conducted. Questionnaire data were processed at the automatic scanner of the Centre for Teaching and Learning (CTL) at Stellenbosch University. Open-ended data were manually analysed in the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), Excel and Word. The research findings indicate that class differences have an effect on the respondents‟ demographic profiles, park provision, park usage and contentment with parks. The high- and middle-income group respondents can reach more parks, mostly within 0-5 minutes. Park provision and park proximity are more problematic for the low-income group respondents. The low-income group children frequent parks the most and visit them the longest. Children and adults in all income groups mostly walk to parks. Parks are used for active and passive recreation during different life stages. The low-income group respondents are more satisfied with service delivery, while no income groups regard parks and recreation as a crucial service to improve. Parks are also not an important outdoor recreation option for any income group. The respondents‟ fears and dissatisfaction related to parks were expressed through concerns regarding safety and maintenance and a lack of park facilities and vegetation, which influences their satisfaction with parks. Future research recommendations include a park analysis of more diverse demographic profiles, distributing questionnaires to various places with authority, integrating research on community/neighbourhood park usage and the open-space system, and researching the challenges, solutions and means to encourage interclass park usage in desegregated areas. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van hierdie studie was om te bepaal hoe klasverskille plaaslike inwoners se persepsies, voorkeure en gebruik van en behoefte aan gemeenskaps-/woonbuurtparke in die Stad Kaapstad beïnvloed. Die navorsingsdoelwitte het die volgende ingesluit: kartering van die sosiale geografie en parkvoorsiening; ‟n bepaling van profielinligting, algemene parkgebruikinligting, buitemuurse ontspanningsopsies, diensleweringspersepsies en vlakke van parkbevrediging; en om voorstelle aan die Departement Stadparke te maak. Data is van die Flowmap en geografiese inligtingstelsels (GIS) programme, die 2007 gemeenskapsopname, Sensus 2001 en vraelyste wat deur skole versprei is, versamel. Twee Flowmap- en GIS-nabyheidsanalises is gedoen. Vraelysdata is met die outomatiese skandeerder van die Sentrum vir Onderrig en Leer (SOL) by die Universiteit van Stellenbosch geprosesseer. Data van oopvrae is met die hand in die Statistiese Pakket vir die Sosiale Wetenskappe (SPSS), Excel en Word geanaliseer. Die navorsingsbevindings toon dat klasverskille ‟n effek op die respondente se demografiese profiele, parkvoorsiening, parkgebruik en tevredenheid met parke het. Die hoë- en middel-inkomstegroep-respondente kan meer parke bereik, meestal in 0-5 minute. Parkvoorsiening en nabyheid aan ‟n park is vir die lae-inkomstegroep-respondente meer problematies. Die lae-inkomstegroep-kinders besoek parke die meeste en vir die langste tydperk. Die meeste kinders en volwassenes in alle inkomste-groepe stap na parke toe. Gedurende verskillende lewensfases word parke vir aktiewe en passiewe ontspanning gebruik. Die lae-inkomstegroep-respondente is meer tevrede met dienslewering, terwyl geen inkomste-groepe parke en ontspanning as ‟n kritieke diens beskou wat verbeter moet word nie. Parke is ook nie ‟n belangrike buitemuurse ontspanningsopsie in enige inkomste-groep nie. Die respondente se vrese en ontevredenheid ten opsigte van parke is uitgedruk deur kommer oor veiligheid en instandhouding en ‟n gebrek aan parkfasiliteite en plantegroei, wat hul tevredenheid met parke beïnvloed. Toekomstige navorsingsvoorstelle sluit in om ‟n parkanalise op meer diverse demografiese profiele uit te voer, om vraelyste na verskeie plekke met outoriteit te versprei, om navorsing oor gemeenskaps-/woonbuurtparke en die oopruimtesisteem te integreer, en om navorsing oor die uitdagings, oplossings en metodes om inter-klas-parkgebruik in gedesegregeerde areas aan te moedig, uit te voer. Trefwoorde

Urban green spaces such as neighbourhood parks and playgrounds hold significance because they offer services and benefits related to human health and wellbeing. Despite recognition of these services by scientists, conservationists, and policy makers, these spaces in many urban areas face pressure and threat to their presence. Especially in developing countries where urban green spaces are inadequately managed, and often encroached upon, thus resulting in loss of quality. While local authorities have historically been responsible for managing urban green spaces, lately there is an increased involvement of citizens in green space management. It is therefore relevant to study how citizens contribute to managing these spaces and ensure their continuity and quality. The study here follows the Open Space Strategic Management approach, described as a complex process comprising of three different levels: strategic–formulation of policy, objectives, and targets; tactical– formulation of time bound plans; and operational–actual actions on these plans to maintain and upkeep the space. The conceptual approach has been operationalised to the area of East Delhi, citing Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) as a working example of the citizen organisation responsible for green space management. The research specifically focuses on the operational level and tries to explore their contribution towards the maintenance of these spaces. For this purpose, interviews were conducted with the presidents of these organizations (N=34), and information was collected about the actions undertaken by RWAs that constitute as green space maintenance, and their subsequent perceived influence on the green space quality. The findings suggest that for East Delhi, action such as arrangement of financial support in taking care of the local space is a major contribution by the RWAs that have higher influence on the perceived quality of space in terms of being visually appealing. Other actions such as providing guidance, raising up park related issues, and manual help have selective effect on the space being perceived as of good quality in terms of aspects such as user safety, cleanliness in the park space, and in creation of recreational opportunity in the green space for all users. The results from this study will contribute towards the body of literature on role of local citizens and citizen organizations taking part in management of smaller green spaces. The outcomes of this study can be utilized for recommending a comprehensive participatory strategy and design guidelines for green space management in the study area, especially for smaller spaces such as neighborhood parks. This should also contribute towards creation of knowledge to work towards achieving safe, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable green spaces as mentioned in UN Sustainable Goal 11, and the New Urban Agenda.:1. Introduction 3 1.1. Background 3 1.2. Problem 5 1.3. Structure of the thesis 8 1.4. Intended audience 9 2. Literature Review 11 2.1. Urban Green Spaces 12 2.1.1. Multi-functionality of Green Spaces: Ecosystem Services 24 2.2. Green Spaces and the New Urban Agenda 26 2.3. Green Spaces in Delhi- planning and design 29 2.3.1. Planning: Master Plan of Delhi 30 2.3.2. Design: CPWD landscape guidelines 40 2.3.3. The Delhi Preservation of Trees Act, 1994. 41 2.3.4. Gaps in provision 41 2.4. Urban Green Space Management 42 2.4.1. Global Management approaches 42 2.4.2. Green Space Management in Delhi 49 2.5. Theoretical framework 52 2.5.1. Maintenance of green spaces 53 2.6. Summary of the chapter 57 3. Research Hypothesis 59 3.1. Working hypotheses 61 4. Study Area 65 4.1. East Delhi District 68 4.1.1. Civic Boundaries 68 4.1.2. Colony Structure 70 4.1.3. Land Use Pattern 73 4.2. Target group 75 4.3. Summary of the chapter 78 5. Methodological Approach 79 5.1. Survey Interviews 79 5.2. Sampling 80 5.3. Questionnaire Design 82 5.4. Data collection 83 5.4.1. Field work preparation 83 5.4.2. In the Field 84 5.5. Data Analysis 85 5.6. Validity, Reliability and Objectivity of results 86 5.7. Limitations 87 5.8. Summary of the chapter 89 6. Results 91 6.1. Descriptive results 91 6.1.1. Age Category 91 6.1.2. Work Situation 92 6.1.3. Highest level of education received 93 6.1.4. RWA functioning 93 6.1.5. Preferred way of contribution to the maintenance process 97 6.1.6. Preferred reason for involvement in the maintenance process 100 6.1.7. Perceived condition of the local green space 102 6.1.8. Perceived condition of their local green space in terms of safety 106 6.1.9. Desired Improvements to the local park 109 6.2. Hypothesis Testing and Measure of Association 112 6.2.1. Functionality of the equipment for creation of recreational opportunity 112 6.2.2. Cleanliness 115 6.2.3. Upkeep of vegetation 118 6.2.4. Safety 120 6.2.5. Perceived quality 123 6.3. Summary of the results 125 7. Discussion 129 7.2. Resident Welfare Association an example of active citizenship 129 7.3. RWA as a care taker of the local green spaces 131 7.4. Influence of RWA actions on the local green space 135 8. Conclusion 137 8.1. RWA perspective to maintenance 137 8.2. Implications for Green Space Development 139 8.3. Future Research 143 8.4. Theoretical Implications 144 8.5. Contribution of this thesis 146 8.5.1. Contribution to gap in literature 146 8.5.2. Contribution to Landscape Architecture 147 8.5.3. Contribution to Policy Development 147 9. Bibliography 149 Appendix A: Questionnaire 175 Section A: Description of Resident Welfare Association 175 Section B: Involvement in maintenance of local green spaces 177 Section C: Outcomes of RWA actions and activity on the quality of local green space 180 Appendix B 185 Invite 185 Support Letter 186 Appendix C 187 Table depicting administrative structure in territory if Delhi 187 Civil Society in Delhi: Bhagidari 188 Appendix D: Maps of sub areas under East district 189 Appendix E: Examples of Citizen Participation in other cities in India. 191 Appendix F: Statistical Test Values 193 Appendix G 198