The Evaluation of Public Open Space Quality from the Perspective of Syrian Refugees Living in Bursa, Turkey


Creative Commons License

Alsallomy S., POLAT S.

Journal of Environmental and Natural Studies, cilt.3, sa.1, ss.56-71, 2021 (Hakemli Dergi)

Özet

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.