Planning and designing livable recreational open spaces in developing countries. Insights from Souk Ahras City, Algeria
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5614/jpwk.2024.35.2.3Keywords:
landscape design, perception, recreational open spaces, residents? satisfaction, urban planning, use patternAbstract
Creating livable recreational public open spaces is essential for urban quality of life and well-being. In the Algerian context, the topic of public open spaces has been extensively investigated. However, little research has examined how spatial and physical attributes of recreational open spaces influence their use and perceptions by residents. This study investigated the role of urban planning and urban design in shaping livable recreational open spaces in Souk Ahras City, Algeria. The study used a mixed-methods approach: spatial analysis was used to map five typologies, while a survey among 426 residents was used to assess the residents? satisfaction, use, and perception of recreational open spaces. Although several recreational spaces have been, their availability was insufficient. In addition, satisfaction levels with the spatial and physical attributes of recreational open spaces were mainly average to low. Moreover, satisfaction was positively correlated to use frequency, duration, and favorable perception, highlighting the importance of the design quality of those spaces. However, satisfaction did not predict activities undertaken, underscoring the need for considering more than just the physical aspect when new recreational open spaces are proposed. Recommendations include increasing provision and improving spatial and physical attributes. The findings provide empirical insight to guide context-specific interventions for improving developing cities? recreational open spaces. Further research should examine interactions between space, culture, and policy across multiple developing cities.
Downloads
References
Abdelkader, H. et al. (2019) ?Mutations de l?espace public dans les anciens tissus ? Cas du Palis (Ksar) Sidi Boutkhil de Ain Safra, Algie?, Analele Universitatii Bucuresti: Geografie/Annals of the University of Bucharest ? Geography Series, 68(1), pp. 59?74. Available at: https://doi.org/10.5719/AUB-G/68.1/4.
Adriaanse, C.C.M. (2007) ?Measuring residential satisfaction: a residential environmental satisfaction scale (RESS)?, Journal of Housing and the Built Environment, 22(3), p. 287. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10901-007-9082-9.
Aga, E. (2010) ?Networks of public open spaces in the urban fabric?, in: The Sustainable World, pp. 59?68. Available at: https://doi.org/10.2495/SW100061.
Ali Khodja A. and Lekehal A. (2017) Espace vert public urbain de l?historicisme a la normativite. UniversitFres Mentouri.
Anastasiou, E. and Manika, S. (2020) ?Perceptions, Determinants and Residential Satisfaction from Urban Open Spaces?, Open Journal of Social Sciences, 08(06), pp. 1?18. Available at: https://doi.org/10.4236/jss.2020.86001.
Aram, F., Solgi, E. and Holden, G. (2019) ?The role of green spaces in increasing social interactions in neighborhoods with periodic markets?, Habitat International, 84, pp. 24?32. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.habitatint.2018.12.004.
Bendjedidi, S., Bada, Y. and Meziani, R. (2018) ?Open spaces: spatial configuration, visibility analysis and use: Case study of mass housing in Biskra, Algeria?, International Review for Spatial Planning and Sustainable Development, 6(4), pp. 93?109. Available at: https://doi.org/10.14246/irspsd.6.4_93.
Bendjedidi, S., Bada, Y. and Meziani, R. (2019) ?Urban plaza design process using space syntax analysis:: El-Houria plaza, Biskra, Algeria?, International Review for Spatial Planning and Sustainable Development, 7(2), pp. 125?142. Available at: https://doi.org/10.14246/irspsda.7.2_125.
Berdoulay, V., Castro, I. and Gom, P.C.D.C. (2005) ?L?espace public entre mythe, imaginaire et culture?, Cahiers de ggraphie du Quec, 45(126), pp. 413?428. Available at: https://doi.org/10.7202/023001ar.
Bouadam, R. and Chetbi, W. (2024) ?The contribution of inhabitants to the development of public spaces in eastern Algeria, Constantine?, Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, 11(1), p. 53. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-023-02557-2.
Boudab, S., Diafat, A. and Madani, S. (2023) ?Analytical Study for Assessment of the Green Urban Spaces, Ain Bouaroua Public Garden, Setif, Algeria?, Green Building & Construction Economics, pp. 241?264. Available at: https://doi.org/10.37256/gbce.4220232267.
Boumali, B.-E., Tamine, R. and Lalmi, A. (2022) ?Public spaces, a challenge for urban renewal: case of Bardo Urban Park Project?, Present Environment and Sustainable Development, pp. 225?238. Available at: https://doi.org/10.47743/pesd2022161016.
Boumaraf, H. and Amireche, L. (2023) ?Microclimatic quality of urban routes and pedestrian behavior in arid zones case of the city of Biskra, South-East Algeria?, Frontiers in Engineering and Built Environment, 3(2), pp. 93?107. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1108/FEBE-04-2022-0015.
Boutellis, T. and Bouchair, A. (2022) ?Investigation expimentale sur l?aluation du confort thermique dans les espaces publics ouverts : Cas de Jijel, Algie?.
Bouzir, T.A.K., Zemmouri, N. and Berkouk, D. (2018) ?Assessment and analysis of noise pollution in Biskra public gardens (Algeria)?, in: Technologies and Materials for Renewable Energy, Environment and Sustainability: TMREES18, Beirut, Lebanon, p. 030069. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1063/1.5039256.
Bratina Jurkovi?, N. (2014) ?Perception, experience and the use of public urban spaces by residents of urban neighbourhoods?, Urbani izziv, 25(1), pp. 107?125. Available at: https://doi.org/10.5379/urbani-izziv-en-2014-25-01-003.
Brett, M. (2007) ?North Africa: State and Society, 1056-1659?, in Y.M. Choueiri (ed.) A Companion to the History of the Middle East. Oxford, UK: Blackwell Publishing Ltd, pp. 170?188. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1002/9780470996423.ch10.
Carmona, M. (2019) ?Principles for public space design, planning to do better?, Urban Design International, 24(1), pp. 47?59. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1057/s41289-018-0070-3.
Carmona, M., Magalhs, C. de and Hammond, L. (2008) Public Space: The Management Dimension. Routledge.
Carr, S. et al. (1992) Public Space. Cambridge University Press.
Chabi, N. and Bouhadjar, K. (2016) ?Public Spaces in Constantine, Algeria: Between Discourse and Reality?, in C.N. Silva (ed.) Governing Urban Africa. London: Palgrave Macmillan UK, pp. 261?284. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-349-95109-3_11.
Chen, Y., Liu, T. and Liu, W. (2016) ?Increasing the use of large-scale public open spaces: A case study of the North Central Axis Square in Shenzhen, China?, Habitat International, 53, pp. 66?77. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.habitatint.2015.10.027.
Departement of Urbanism and Construction (2008) Master plan (PDAU) and Land use plans (POS). Souk Ahras.
Devlin, K. and Nasar, J.L. (1989) ?The beauty and the beast: Some preliminary comparisons of ?high? versus ?popular? residential architecture and public versus architect judgments of same?, Journal of Environmental Psychology, 9(4), pp. 333?344. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0272-4944(89)80013-1.
Duncan, D.T. et al. (2013) ?The Geography of Recreational Open Space: Influence of Neighborhood Racial Composition and Neighborhood Poverty?, Journal of Urban Health, 90(4), pp. 618?631. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11524-012-9770-y.
Epic Taghast urbain, (n.d.) Epic Taghast urbain [Facebook page]. Facebook. Retrieved August 4, 2023, from https://www.facebook.com/epic.taghasturbain
Farida, N. (2013) ?Effects of outdoor shared spaces on social interaction in a housing estate in Algeria?, Frontiers of Architectural Research, 2(4), pp. 457?467. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foar.2013.09.002.
Farinha-Marques, P. et al. (2011) ?Urban biodiversity: A review of current concepts and contributions to multidisciplinary approaches?, Innovation: The European Journal of Social Science Research, 24(3), pp. 247?271. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1080/13511610.2011.592062.
Faust, A. et al. (2020) Land Pooling In Nepal_From Planned Urban ?Islands? to City Transformation. Asian Development Bank. Available at: https://doi.org/10.22617/WPS200206-2.
Fermino, R.C. et al. (2013) ?Perceived environment and public open space use: A study with adults from Curitiba, Brazil?, International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 10(1), p. 35. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1186/1479-5868-10-35.
Gehl, J. (1987) Life between buildings: using public space. New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold Company Inc.
Gehl, J. and Gemzoe, L. (1996) Public Spaces. Public Life. Copenhagen: The Danish Architectural Press and Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, School of Architectural Publishers.
Gehl, J. and Svarre, B. (2013) ?Public Space, Public Life: an Interaction?, in: Gehl, J. and Svarre, B., How To Study Public Life. Washington, DC: Island Press/Center for Resource Economics, pp. 1?8. Available at: https://doi.org/10.5822/978-1-61091-525-0_1.
Giap, T.K., Thye, W.W. and Aw, G. (2014) ?A new approach to measuring the liveability of cities: the Global Liveable Cities Index?, World Review of Science, Technology and Sustainable Development, 11(2), p. 176. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1504/WRSTSD.2014.065677.
Giles-Corti, B. et al. (2005) ?Increasing walking?, American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 28(2), pp. 169?176. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2004.10.018.
Gjerde, M. (2011) ?Visual evaluation of urban streetscapes: How do public preferences reconcile with those held by experts??, URBAN DESIGN International, 16(3), pp. 153?161. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1057/udi.2011.10.
Grabiec, A.M., ?acka, A. and Wiza, W. (2022) ?Material, Functional, and Aesthetic Solutions for Urban Furniture in Public Spaces?, Sustainability, 14(23), p. 16211. Available at: https://doi.org/10.3390/su142316211.
Guettiche G. and Baziz A. (2021) ?Urbanisation et gestion des espaces publics dans une ville algienne?, Cinq Continents, 11(24).
Hadavi, S. and Kaplan, R. (2016) ?Neighborhood satisfaction and use patterns in urban public outdoor spaces: Multidimensionality and two-way relationships?, Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, 19, pp. 110?122. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ufug.2016.05.012.
Hafiane A. (1992) Conceptual references of informal housing in urban growth in the Maghrebb. [Des rences conceptuelles de l?habitat informel, in croissance urbaine au Maghreb]. itions PubliSud. Paris.
Hafsi, F.Z. and Chabi, N. (2022) Impact de la morphologie de la ville sur le deloppement urbain durable. Thesis. UniversitConstantine 3 Salah Boubnider, Facultd?architecture et d?urbanisme. Available at: http://localhost:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/4152 (Accessed: 22 October 2023).
Hall, C.M. and Page, S. (2006) The geography of tourism and recreation: environment, place, and space. Third edition. Abingdon, Oxon ; New York, NY: Routledge.
Hammache, S. (2020) ?L?image fragment de la ville ? L?exemple de l?Algie?, Villes en paralle, 49(1), pp. 262?274. Available at: https://doi.org/10.3406/vilpa.2020.1817.
Hauke, J. and Kossowski, T. (2011) ?Comparison of Values of Pearson?s and Spearman?s Correlation Coefficients on the Same Sets of Data?, QUAGEO, 30(2), pp. 87?93. Available at: https://doi.org/10.2478/v10117-011-0021-1.
Ivashko, Y., & Kouider, R. (2019) Specific features and issues of preserving the historic cities of Algeria?centres of islamic construction. Wiadomo?ci Konserwatorskie, (58), pp. 143-147. Available at: https://doi:10.17425/WK58ALGERIA.
Jacobs, J. (1961) The death and life of great America cities. Harmondsworth: Penguin Books Ltd.
Jones, C. and Newsome, D. (2015) ?Perth (Australia) as one of the world?s most livable cities: A perspective on society, sustainability and environment?, International Journal of Tourism Cities, 1(1), pp. 18?35. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1108/IJTC-08-2014-0001.
Kaczynski, A.T. (2010) ?Neighborhood Walkability Perceptions: Associations With Amount of Neighborhood-based Physical Activity by Intensity and Purpose?, Journal of Physical Activity and Health, 7(1), pp. 3?10. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1123/jpah.7.1.3.
Kaghouche, M. and Benkechkache, I. (2023) ?Assessment of the quality of public spaces in the new city of Ali Mendjeli in Constantine (Algeria)?, Glasnik Srpskog geografskog drustva, 103(2), pp. 161?176. Available at: https://doi.org/10.2298/GSGD2302161K.
Kallus, R. (2001) ?From Abstract to Concrete: Subjective Reading of Urban Space?, Journal of Urban Design, 6(2), pp. 129?150. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1080/13574800120057818.
Kashef, M. (2016) ?Urban livability across disciplinary and professional boundaries?, Frontiers of Architectural Research, 5(2), pp. 239?253. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foar.2016.03.003.
Kettaf F. (2013) La fabrique des espaces publics: Conceptions, formes et usages des places d?Oran (Algie). UniversitPaul Valy -Montpellier III.
Kim, H.-Y. (2014) ?Statistical notes for clinical researchers: Two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA)-exploring possible interaction between factors?, Restorative Dentistry & Endodontics, 39(2), p. 143. Available at: https://doi.org/10.5395/rde.2014.39.2.143.
Koohsari, M.J. et al. (2015) ?Public open space, physical activity, urban design and public health: Concepts, methods and research agenda?, Health & Place, 33, pp. 75?82. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.healthplace.2015.02.009.
Krejcie, R.V. and Morgan, D.W. (1970) ?Determining Sample Size for Research Activities?, Educational and Psychological Measurement, 30(3), pp. 607?610. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1177/001316447003000308.
Labdaoui, K. et al. (2021) ?Thermal perception in outdoor urban spaces under the Mediterranean climate of Annaba, Algeria?, Urban Climate, 39, p. 100970. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.uclim.2021.100970.
Ladjal, T. and Bensaid, B. (2012) ?The French colonial occupation and the Algerian national identity: alienation or assimilation??, International Journal of Arab Culture, Management and Sustainable Development, 2(2/3), p. 142. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1504/IJACMSD.2012.049124.
Laouar, D., Mazouz, S. and Teller, J. (2019) ?L?accessibilitspatiale comme indice de fragmentation urbaine dans les villes coloniales. Le cas de la ville d?Annaba?, Cybergeo [Preprint]. Available at: https://doi.org/10.4000/cybergeo.31539.
Lofland, L.H. (1998) The public realm: Exploring the city?s quintessential social territory. N.Y.: Aldine de Gruyter.
Lorcin, P.M.E. (2002) ?Rome and France in Africa: Recovering Colonial Algeria?s Latin Past?, French Historical Studies, 25(2), pp. 295?329. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1215/00161071-25-2-295.
Lynch, K. (1980) A theory of good city form. MIT Press.
MacCallum, R.C. et al. (2002) ?On the practice of dichotomization of quantitative variables.?, Psychological Methods, 7(1), pp. 19?40. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1037/1082-989X.7.1.19.
Maffei, L. et al. (2021) Physical and perceptual dimensions of open urban spaces in Biskra, Algeria, INTER-NOISE and NOISE-CON Congress and Conference Proceedings, 263(3), pp. 3160?3166. Available at: https://doi.org/10.3397/IN-2021-2318.
Maris, G. et al. (2004) Villes et campagnes d?Algie. Editions du tell.
Maru?i?, B.G. (2011) ?Analysis of patterns of spatial occupancy in urban open space using behaviour maps and GIS?, URBAN DESIGN International, 16(1), pp. 36?50. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1057/udi.2010.20.
McDougall, J. (2017) A History of Algeria. 1st edn. Cambridge University Press. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781139029230.
Mokras-Grabowska, J. (2018) ?New urban recreational spaces. Attractiveness, infrastructure arrangements, identity. The example of the city of ???, Miscellanea Geographica, 22(4), pp. 219?224. Available at: https://doi.org/10.2478/mgrsd-2018-0017.
Montgomery, J. (1998) ?Making a city: Urbanity, vitality and urban design?, Journal of Urban Design, 3(1), pp. 93?116. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1080/13574809808724418.
Mozingo, L. (1989) ?Women and downtown open spaces?, 6(1).
Newton, P.W. (2012) ?Liveable and Sustainable? Socio-Technical Challenges for Twenty-First-Century Cities?, Journal of Urban Technology, 19(1), pp. 81?102. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1080/10630732.2012.626703.
Njoh, A.J. (2016) ?French Urbanism in North Africa?, in Njoh, A. J., French Urbanism in Foreign Lands. Cham: Springer International Publishing, pp. 133?154. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-25298-8_7.
Nunnally, J.C. and Bernstein, I.H. (1994) Psychometric theory. New York: McGraw-Hill.
Osborne, M.A. and Celik, Z. (1999) ?Urban Forms and Colonial Confrontations: Algiers under French Rule?, The American Historical Review, 104(3), p. 1042. Available at: https://doi.org/10.2307/2651183.
PPS, (2016) What Makes a Successful Place? Available at: http://www.pps.org/reference/grplacefeat/ (Accessed: 20 May 2023).
Salama, A.M. and Azzali, S. (2015) ?Examining attributes of urban open spaces in Doha?, Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers ? Urban Design and Planning, 168(2), pp. 75?87. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1680/udap.14.00011.
Santos A. (1999) ?Cronbach?s Alpha: A Tool for Assessing the Reliability of Scales?, Journal of Extension, 37(2).
Simulated historical climate & weather data for Souk Ahras ? meteoblue (no date). Available at: https://www.meteoblue.com/en/weather/historyclimate/climatemodelled/souk-ahras_algeria_2479215 (Accessed: 22 February 2024).
Sirgy, M.J. and Cornwell, T. (2002) ?How Neighborhood Features Affect Quality of Life?, Social Indicators Research, 59(1), pp. 79?114. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1016021108513.
Souidi, M. and Bestandji, S. (2019) ?Tafilelt, the Neo Traditional Model of Ksour in Algeria: Assessment of the Multifunctionality of Urban Spaces?, Journal of Contemporary Urban Affairs, 3(2), pp. 99?107. Available at: https://doi.org/10.25034/ijcua.2018.4706.
Southworth, M. (2014) ?Public Life, Public Space, and the Changing Art of City Design?, Journal of Urban Design, 19(1), pp. 37?40. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1080/13574809.2014.854684.
Stora B. (2001) A short history. Cornell University Press.
Tedjari, A.F. and Abbaoui, M. (2023) ?Space Syntax for Evaluating Attractivity and Visit Frequency: A Comparative Study of Two Public Squares of Downtown Setif (Algeria)?, Engineering, Technology & Applied Science Research, 13(1), pp. 9899?9905. Available at: https://doi.org/10.48084/etasr.5455.
Thaiutsa, B. et al. (2008) ?Urban green space, street tree and heritage large tree assessment in Bangkok, Thailand?, Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, 7(3), pp. 219?229. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ufug.2008.03.002.
Tsurumi, T. and Managi, S. (2015) ?Environmental value of green spaces in Japan: An application of the life satisfaction approach?, Ecological Economics, 120, pp. 1?12. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolecon.2015.09.023.
Van Dinter, M. et al. (2022) ?Urban Green Parks for Long-Term Subjective Well-Being: Empirical Relationships between Personal Characteristics, Park Characteristics, Park Use, Sense of Place, and Satisfaction with Life in The Netherlands?, Sustainability, 14(9), p. 4911. Available at: https://doi.org/10.3390/su14094911.
Welsh, B.C. and Farrington, D.P. (2008) ?Effects of Improved Street Lighting on Crime?, Campbell Systematic Reviews, 4(1), pp. 1?51. Available at: https://doi.org/10.4073/csr.2008.13.
Whyte, W.H. (1980) The social life of small urban spaces. Washington, D.C.: Conservation Foundation.
Wischemann, T. and Cooper, C. (1987) ?Outdoor spaces for living and learning?, 77(2), pp. 52?61.
World Health Organization (WHO) (no date). Available at: https://www.who.int/ (Accessed: 10 November 2023).
Zamanifard, H. et al. (2019) ?Measuring experiential qualities of urban public spaces: users? perspective?, Journal of Urban Design, 24(3), pp. 340?364. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1080/13574809.2018.1484664.
Zhang, W. and Lawson, G. (2009) ?Meeting and greeting: Activities in public outdoor spaces outside high-density urban residential communities?, Urban Design International, 14(4), pp. 207?214. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1057/udi.2009.19.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2024 Journal of Regional and City Planning
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
Manuscript submitted to JRCP has to be an original work of the author(s), contains no element of plagiarism, and has never been published or is not being considered for publication in other journals. The author(s) retain the copyright of the content published in JRCP. There is no need for request or consultation for future re-use and re-publication of the content as long as the author and the source are cited properly.
