Urban Parks and Sustainable Cities: Assessing the Impact of Park Size on Citizens’ Recreation and Leisure and Tourism Potential (Case Study: Districts 9 and 11 of Mashhad City)

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Department of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Fisheries and Environment, Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Gorgan, Iran

2 Department of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Natural Resources and Environment, Mashhad University of Ferdowsi, Mashhad, Iran

Abstract

Objective: This research was conducted with the aim of examining the effect of three different scales of urban parks on citizens’ usage patterns, recreational activities, and tourist attraction, with an emphasis on gender differences, in districts 9 and 11 of Mashhad city. In this regard, efforts were made to assess, with a comprehensive perspective, the role of small, medium, and large parks in the social, environmental, and economic dimensions of citizens’ lives and to provide a clear picture of how citizens interact with green spaces. This study also examined how the scale of parks could shape recreational behaviors and influence the level of social participation. Furthermore, it investigated which environmental and social factors strengthen or weaken these relationships.
Method: The research methodology consisted of a field survey. The sample size was determined using Cochran’s formula, and ultimately 384 semi-structured questionnaires were distributed to citizens. Data were collected in four main sections, including demographic information, the extent and patterns of park use, individuals’ perception of the environmental features and design of parks, and the type of participation in recreational and tourism activities. Data analysis was performed using a set of parametric and non-parametric statistical tests, including one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), Tukey post-hoc test, two-factor analysis, and the Mann–Whitney test in SPSS and R software, in order to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the results.
Results: The results showed that the scale of parks plays a decisive role in the level of attractiveness and the type of citizens’ use. Medium-sized parks, owing to their proximity to residences, safety, and easy access, had the highest attractiveness. Large parks, given their social, environmental, and economic functions, played the greatest role in attracting tourists. Small parks were mainly considered for everyday use and children’s play. The gender analysis showed no significant difference between men and women in their perception of park features and activity types. However, women rated safety and children’s play facilities as more important, whereas men paid more attention to proximity and natural landscapes. In the area of activities, walking in large and medium-sized parks and children’s play in small parks had the highest priority. In the field of tourist attraction, 83 percent of respondents preferred large parks and regarded them as having the highest environmental, social, economic, and aesthetic advantages.
Conclusions: The results indicate that the scale of parks, along with environmental factors such as safety, accessibility, design, and cleanliness, as well as socio-cultural contexts, plays an important role in the extent of citizens’ use and tourist attraction. These findings can serve as a basis for effective planning of urban green spaces with different scales and for achieving sustainable urban development.

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References

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Journal of Environmental Studies
Volume 51, Issue 3
December 2025
Pages 371-391

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