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Terminology of Urban Open and Green Spaces

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 Terminology of Urban Open and Green Spaces
Rakhshandehroo Mehhdi1, Mohd Yusof Mohd Johari2* and Sahrakar Afshin3

Department of Architecture, Beyza Branch, Islamic Azad University, Beyza, Iran

Abstract: There are a vast number of terms and definitions in the context of urban studies referring to “urban
open and green spaces” (UOGS) such as: green space, urban greenery, open space, public space,
public gardens and parks. These terms have been applied interchangeably by urban planners and designers,
architects, landscape architects and other professionals and may be discussed from different points of view such as
design, policy, planning, management, and environmental psychology and so on. Several semi-structured,
qualitative interviews are conducted with experts about their general experience and ideas in order to gain a basic
understanding of terminology. UOGS refers to amenity space, connected with high quality and maintenance. It is
a reflection of human demand for greenery where human influences convert natural areas into urban areas, on the
other hand, experiential green space is often referred to as green space with high aesthetic qualities which
contributes to the overall ‘green feel’ that users consciously or unconsciously experience within certain areas;
perception of what constitutes open and green space varies among different people. UOGS is an urban area with a
semi-natural ecosystem, converted urban spaces by human influence and provided the connection between urban
and nature. In this context, a great number of terms were referred to open areas which reflect natural or near
natural areas surrounding the cities and this research try to define them.

Key words: Urban planning, green space, Open space, Public space

1. INTRODUCTION


Green areas consist of open spaces, generally covered with natural or planted vegetation. Urban open and
green spaces (UOGS) can take place on many shapes, forms, functions and purposes; they may be totally different
from community to community; they can vary from a simple playing field to natural landscape or highly
maintained environment and mostly provided with open access to public, although they may be privately owned.
The most famous UOGS, are associated with amenity green spaces, having a high quality of landscape design and
maintenance but no single open green space example typifies what this term is. It is important to distinguish
between different types of open green space (Panduro & Veie, 2013) and Each community will need to design a
——————————————————————————————
1 Senior lecturer, Department of Architecture, Beyza Branch, Islamic Azad University, Beyza, Iran; Email: mrakhshandehroo@yahoo.com
2 Senior lecturer, Faculty of Design and Architecture, Universisiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia; Email:
m_johari@upm.edu.my
3 Senior lecturer, Department of Architecture, Khorram Abad Branch, Islamic Azad University, Khorram Abad, Iran,
Pardis_11726@yahoo.com
system of UOGS that incorporates and interrelates different types to meet a variety of community needs (Enger,
2005).
On the other hand experimental green space is often referred to green feel, which users concisely or
unconsciously experience within a certain area. Therefore constitution of UOGS varies among different groups of
people, such as citizens or researchers. It is important to arrive at some consensus regarding what the different
terms for UOGS means and how they are popularly understood. For example the term open space have been
applied interchangeably by urban planners and designers, architects, landscape architects and other professionals
(Nicol & Blake, 2000; Neil Stuart, Robert L. Hodgart, Mohd Johari Mohd Yusof, 2013). Furthermore, this subject
may be discussed from different points of view such as design (standards and instruction), policy and planning
(per capita, preservation and extension), management (providing qualified spaces, maintenance and preservation),
environmental psychology (place attachment and sense of place) and so on.
There are a variety of different terms and definition of urban open and green spaces, according to the way
they are applied. The most usual of theses term which are defined in this paper are: urban environment, urban
space, public space, open space, open space reserve, urban landscape, urban greening, green space and green
infrastructure (Rakhshandehroo et al., 2015). Although this term has such a vast meaning to cover:
Natural space, Amenity spaces, Urban landscape, City/central park, neighborhood park, Public gardens,
Playground, Institutional ground, Green corridors, Civic spaces, Elevated green space, Burial ground, District
park, Local park, City squares, Neighborhood spaces, College grounds, Green belt/buffers, Pocket/mini/vest park,
Pedestrian Sidewalks, Cycle way, City streets , Plazas, Mosque compound, Temple, church,
Boulevard, River and canal reserves , Local play area, Cemetery, Memorials, School yards, Urban forest (Urban
wilderness), Pedestrian Mall, Transport reserves , Vertical green, Water front, Lake embankment, Botanical
garden, beach, Reservoir, Wetland, Electric line reserves, Urban farms, Wood land, Roof garden, Recreation
space, Domestic gardens, Vacant/derelict land, Outdoor sport center, Allotments and community farms, Atriums,
Nurseries, Periodic market, Common area, yards, and vertical farm (Rakhshandehroo & Yusof, 2014).

2. METHODOLOGY

The main question of this research is what the main terms of urban open green spaces are, how they can be
defined and how far these terms are relevant. We decided to conduct semi-structured, qualitative interviews with
experts about their general experience and ideas in order to gain a basic understanding of terminology.
We attempted to choose experts who have experience enough to interact openly and reveal new information
about this topic, so three lecturers have chosen from the faculty of design and architecture, University Putra
Malaysia. Interviews took place at the interviewees' offices. The respondents are asked to suggest appropriate
terms and define them; we also asked additional questions as they arose. Experts were informed about the purpose
of the research questions first and permission was obtained to conduct and make an audio recording of the
interview. We analyzed the translated transcripts using thematic analysis to find key terms. These manufactured
terms applied as keyword to search articles from online data based (ProQuest, Web of Science, etc.) to find
appropriate definitions. The following items are related terms and definitions.
3. URBAN ENVIRONMENT

An urban environment is the environment of a city; usually characterized by many buildings in a limited
amount of space, with a high per capita per square mile. Most of the living spaces, working spaces, shopping areas,
educational facilities, services, etc. are grouped in close proximity to each other. It is usually characterized by
limited open areas in specifically planned areas or places that have been abandoned because of the higher value of
real estate in urban areas. An urban area is often plagued by lack of space for parking vehicles (both personal and
commercial) and a higher cost for leasing space for regular parking of vehicles because that also requires the use
of expensive real estate.

4. URBAN SPACE

An urban space is the region surrounding a city. Most inhabitants of urban areas have nonagricultural jobs.
Urban areas are very developed, meaning there is a density of human structures such as houses, commercial
buildings, roads, bridges, and railways. Urban space is typified by what is called a “city”; a city is a collection of
people and institutional structures that promote the efficient interaction between persons and place. Urban space
has often increased in population to the point that it serves as a synergistic force for the social construction of the
suburb. Ironically, suburbs have decided that the only means for their survival is to mirror urban areas – formal
social relationships and complex institutional arrangements (Woolley, 2003).

5. PUBLIC SPACE

Public space is a space in a city or any other publicly accessible physical place, in the context of social,
political, relations and interpersonal contacts, developed through inclusive processes (Madanipour, 2013). It is
the space of appearance, in the widest sense of the word, namely, the space where I appear to others as others
appear to me (Kratochvíl, 2013). Furthermore the public space is referred to as a space of participation and
amicable social behaviors (Mehta, 2014) (Pojani & Maci, 2015). The specificity of ‘potentially public’ spaces
resides in their peripheral position inside metropolitan areas and in their episodic and fragmented character.
(Maahsen-milan & Oliva, 2014).
Woolley (2003) indicated public space is a space where we share with the other people who aren't our friends,
relatives, or work associates. This space is for sport, religion, commerce and politics and also a space for peaceful
coexistence and impersonal encounter. Its character can express and condition our civic culture and public life.
Therefore it can be defined as the space that is open to all, owned by all and used by all members of the public
(Al-Shams, Ngah, Zakaria, Noordin, & Sawal, 2013). Although the majority of public open spaces are owned by
local authorities, even with public land, responsibilities can fall between different departments such as parks,
highways, etc.
According to the nature and purpose of public space it is a usually green place, free of charge access and
interaction unconstrained by the control of commercial or state forces, or it is a space for particular defined
purposes, subject to behavioral norms and control over those who are allowed to enter (Carmona, 2010).
6. OPEN SPACE

It is believed that the term open space was first applied in 1833 by a committee in a “public trail” in London.
(Maruani and Amit-Cohen, 2007). Then another definition appears in “Metropolitan Open Space Act” made in
London in Britain in 1877 and then in 1906, defined the open space as any land, less than 5% of which is
occupied with buildings (Wang & Gao, 2012).
Open space is often described as any piece of land that is undeveloped and has no building structure on it. But
since it is believed that, plazas, playing fields and urban squares are contributing to improving public health and
environmental quality of the neighborhood, they are often included in the definition as well (Olsson, 2012). It can
even be thought of as extending to include all significant outdoor spaces which fall within the influence of the
urban area (Stiles, 2011). It may be used for anyone or for a combination of a different variety of activities
(Clawson, 2008). It has a vast meaning and covers green space and civic space. Some spaces may combine green
and civic space elements, but one type or another will usually predominate (PAN 65).
Another definition that emphasizes the greenery aspects indicates: It is usually publicly owned land that is set
aside primarily for, nature conservation, agriculture, forest, green buffers, passive outdoor enjoyment, recreation,
public gatherings, and. This includes public parks, publicly owned forecourts, gardens, waterways, reserves, and
squares. This term includes any open area that is owned by an agency or organization dedicated to conservation
and vacant lots and brownfields that can be redeveloped into recreation areas. On the other hand open space
including not only land but also water bodies such as: lakes, canals, reservoirs and rivers which improves visual
amenities beside opportunities for recreation and sport (Doyle, 2012; Patrick, 2008).

7. OPEN SPACE RESERVE

Open space reserve is an area of protected or conserved land or water (urban, suburban, or rural) on which
development is indefinitely set aside. The purpose of an open space reserve can be: 1.The preservation or
conservation of land or water area for aesthetic, agricultural, ecological, environmental and recreational interests.
2.The management of a community or region's growth in terms of industry, development, or natural resources
extraction. 3.The conservation or preservation of a community or region's rural natural or historic character.
Open space reserve may be actual designated areas of land or water, or they may be zoning districts or
overlays where development is limited or controlled to create undeveloped areas of land or water within a
community or region.

8. URBAN LANDSCAPE

Urban landscape is formed by open and green space in an urban environment, while it is not independent of
surrounding structure and buildings. Urban landscapes are typically a complex combination of buildings, roads,
grass, trees, soil, water, and so on (Lu & Weng, 2004). It contributes to the cityscape by means of function and
aesthetic, therefore improve sense of place and identity of a city(Memlük, 2010). Landscapes are increasingly
significant to urban dwellers as they provide tangible evidence of continuity and sense of place in the changing
urban environment(Tahir & Roe, 2012).
9. URBAN GREENING

In comparison to the previous items urban greening is almost a new term, means making or keeping cities
greener by designing, establishing, maintaining and managing green areas. This concept emphasizes to look at
greenery not as luxury goods for making cities more pleasant, but as the basic part of urban infrastructure. It
contributes notably to quality of life (Wright Wendel, Zarger, & Mihelcic, 2012) and ecosystem services in cities
(C Y Jim, 2013).

10. GREEN SPACE

The origin of term “green space” can be traced from the urban nature conservation movement and the
European thinking about green space planning which started in the UK (Swanwick, Dunnett, & Woolley, 2003).
Green space literally covers all public and private open space in urban area, mostly covered by plants (naturally or
artificially) including trees, shrubs, and grasses (Fam et al., 2008) which are directly or indirectly available for
use (Mensah, 2014) and mainly found in semi-natural areas (Chi Yung Jim & Chen, 2003). Campbell (2001)
explained green spaces consist of any vegetated land or structure, water or geological features found in a given
area. It has also been defined to cover all green infrastructure such as network of natural, semi-natural and
artificial ecological system within a given area(Tzoulas et al., 2007; Mensah, 2014).
Green space refers to public accessible areas within open spaces that involve green elements. It is a term
commonly used to denote any vegetated land or structure such as parkland, greenways, open space, natural
heritage or environment lands, vacant lands, conservation lands or green infrastructure such as drainage ditches.
Green spaces includes a wide variety of sites and uses; They are the park where neighborhood children play, the
garden-side bench, the playing fields where recreational and competitive sports leagues hold their games, the
community garden donating produce to the food bank, geological feature within and on the edges of settlements,
the trail providing a pleasant walk or a convenient route to work, sewage lagoons that provide rest stops for
migrating waterfowl or are homes to wetland birds, the woodlot and the farmer’s field, the small patch of bush
where people walk their dogs and children play freely, the natural area that brings peace to the end of someone’s
day, the habitat for native flora and fauna, and woodlands that provide natural services. Green spaces are the lakes
and hilltops that make up the characteristic landscape. Green spaces play an important role in the lives of all
residents, whatever their age, lifestyle, or walk of life (Enger, 2005).
Water systems such as open water, wetlands, floodplains, rivers and streams are usually included in green
space and are also referred to as the “blue structure” in the field of urban and regional planning. Generally, green
spaces should be accessible to the public, but in some cases they can be privately owned. Such places may
include, higher education campuses, institutional or corporate grounds and community gardens. Even though the
public does not have total access to these green spaces, such areas still offer different benefits such as aesthetical
and psychological relief from urban development (Springgate, 2008). All in all it is a piece of land, water and
geographical features which have been naturally or artificially colonized by vegetation and accessible to a large
number of residents (Nicol & Blake, 2000).
11. GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE

Green infrastructure is a network of connected, high-quality, multi-functional open spaces, corridors and the
links in between that provides environmental services and multiple benefits for people and wildlife (CABE, 2008).
It is a network providing the ingredients in both rural and urban areas for solving urban and climatic challenges
by building with nature, which underpins the sustainability and increases quality of life with its natural and
ecological processes(Olsson, 2012). Green infrastructure plays an important role in maintaining integrity of built
space (Tiwary & Kumar, 2014). It is an interconnected network of green space that conserves natural ecosystem
values and functions and provides associated benefits to human populations” (Comas, Carr, & Alig, 2010).
The main components of this approach include storm water management, climate adaptation, less heat stress,
more biodiversity, food production, better air quality, sustainable energy production, clean water and healthy soils,
as well as the more anthropocentric functions such as increased quality of life through recreation and providing
shade and shelter in and around towns and cities. This is usually divided into areas (parks, gardens, squares, etc.)
and paths (streets, walkways, canals, etc.), which may surround the built environment. In the other word: Green
Infrastructure is a network of multi-functional green space, provided across the Sub-Region. It is set within, and
contributes to, a high quality natural and built environment and is required to deliver “livability” for new
communities (Lockhart, 2009; MUKHERJEE, 2013).

12. DISCUSSION AND RESULTS

The meaning of different terms related to urban green or open spaces is often confused with other
terminologies in urban landscape. To get much insight about the definition of open green spaces in this area, the
related terms should be clarified.
Urban areas consist of the built environment and the open space between buildings. Open space (external
environment) consists of two main categories: green space and gray space. Considering the minor differences in
the description of green spaces, it can be defined as a part of open space (Olsson, 2012) that to some extent have
some form of vegetation either natural or artificial. It covers land that is made up mainly of unsealed and
permeable surfaces such as soil, grass, shrubs and trees which are called soft surface in the comparison of hard
(paved) surface. They are not only limited to urban gardens and parks and may be privately or publicly managed
or accessible (Dunnett, Swanwick, Woolley, Government, & Britain, 2002).
The second category of the external environment which is “gray space” covers lands that is closed to a greater
extent, usually impermeable and have “hard” surfaces paving such as mosaic concrete, or asphalt. The gray space
consist of two types; “civic space” which is publicly accessible areas planned basically for public enjoyment such
as town squares, walkways and plazas; “functional space” which is for specific purposes, such as roads, car parks
pavements, and other hard surfaced areas related to different types of built environment (Swanwick et al., 2003).
 Urban space

Building Open space

Green space Gray space

Public space

Private green space Public green space Civic space Functional space

Figure 1 Diagram of spaces in urban landscape

Urban open space has a vast meaning; (Swanwick et al., 2003) explained it is a combination of green spaces
and civic gray spaces as that part of urban land that contributes positively to its amenity and urban landscape. All
open spaces which is publically accessible are referred to public open spaces even green or civic. Urban green
spaces are all types of public or private open spaces in urban areas which completely or mostly covered with
vegetation. Water bodies such as rivers, streams and lakes are included but all green areas outside urban borders
are not considered. Urban green spaces are limited to soft lands but urban open spaces encompasses all aspects of
green spaces in addition to those hard land surfaces made purposely for human usage therefore urban green spaces
can be said a subset of urban open spaces (Mensah, 2014) (Shackell & Walter, 2012). These spaces play a key
role to improve the environment through landscape enhancement, better air quality and noise reduction which
result enhancement of wellbeing and quality of citizens’ life (Maruani & Amit-Cohen, 2007; Bowler, Buyung-Ali,
Knight, & Pullin, 2010).
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