Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
Journal of Environmental and Natural Studies, cilt.3, sa.1, ss.56-71, 2021 (Hakemli Dergi)
Public open spaces are the areas where social relationships take place and cultures mix, where people interact with each
other and with the local authorities. When these spaces are well-designed, relationships are built between users of these
spaces; cooperation is improved, and benefits to the communities that accommodate newcomers, refugees, or migrants
are increased. The scope of this research is to gain a better understanding of how refugees use, perceive, and experience
public open spaces. The research sheds light on a case study of incoming Syrian refugees in Altıparmak and adjacent
neighbourhoods in Bursa, Turkey. A mixed-method approach is used to gather information consisting of literature
review, observation, and interviews. The questions of the interviews were designed based on the principles of the Project
of Public Spaces (PPS) approach to measure the quality of a space, as well as to define the basic elements that make a
space good, and make refugees feel welcomed and comfortable. The findings show that the public open spaces in the
case study area have been successful in creating social networking, access, and links, uses, and activities, but have not
met the criteria of image and comfort. The research highlights that public spaces are affected by the national and cultural
identity of refugees. The findings also show that the best public open spaces for refugees give importance to create
links between their homeland and host country.