A Framework for Assessing and Promoting the Sustainability of Urban Green Infrastructures (Case Study: Mardom Park, Hamadan, Iran)

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Faculty of Natural resources and Environment, Malayer University, Malayer, Iran

2 : Department of Environmental Design, Faculty of Environment, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

3 Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this research is to provide an integrated approach to assessing and promoting the sustainability of urban parks, in which Hamedan Mardom’s Park was selected as a case study. The methodology involved developing a scalable, flexible, and replicable framework for measuring the sustainability of urban parks.
Method: To perform this research, a practical, cost-effective, and accessible framework was designed that could be easily used by park managers and stakeholders using operational data. The assessment was based on the three main pillars of sustainability, i.e., the environmental, social, and economic dimensions, which were divided into 24 indicators and 60 criteria. Each criterion was classified as positive (+) or negative (-) based on its numerical impact on sustainability and was categorized as internal or external. Internal criteria were determined as those that could be directly influenced by park management, while external criteria depended on external factors such as government policies. For each of the dimensions, scores were calculated based on the mean values of the relevant indicators, and each pillar contributed equally to the overall sustainability score.
Results: The results showed that Mardom Park in Hamedan, in the time of investigation, had a poor sustainability status, with a total score of 33.29%. The environmental and economic pillars scored higher at 23.80% and 21.43%, respectively, and the social pillar scored 54.66%. Key weaknesses included poor water management, lack of renewable energy use, and inadequate waste management systems. With improvements, the park’s overall sustainability score could increase to 87.96%, highlighting significant potential for improvement.
Conclusions: In this study, weaknesses were identified as water resource conservation, renewable energy adoption, and waste management. To improve the sustainability of the studied park, it is suggested that advanced technologies such as rainwater harvesting systems, LED lighting, and composting programs be implemented. These measures can not only have positive environmental impacts but also help to improve the quality and sustainability of the park. Additionally, holding educational workshops on environmental issues can help increase community participation and awareness. Compared to other parks, the park under study performed better from the social aspect, attributed to its open access and inclusive policies.

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References

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Journal of Environmental Studies
Volume 51, Issue 3
December 2025
Pages 293-312

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