The Importance of Parks as Public Open Spaces

Oct 13, 2025 by windailys.com 10 views

Introduction

Taman Jasdam I/BB in Helvetia District, Medan City, is one of the green open spaces designed to provide facilities to the community to exercise and interact. However, with significant population growth in Medan, land use for various infrastructure continues to increase. This raises challenges in maintaining the quality of public open space, including existing parks. The importance of parks as public open spaces is increasingly recognized, especially in an effort to improve air quality that is often threatened by pollution. This study aims to evaluate the convenience of Jasdam Park visitors and how it affects their experience in using the park. This comfort is closely related to the planning and design of the park as an architectural product that reflects human interaction with its environment.

Background

The city of Medan is one of the largest cities in Indonesia, with a population of over 2.5 million people. The rapid growth of the city has led to an increase in land use for various infrastructure, including roads, buildings, and other urban development projects. This has resulted in a significant decrease in the availability of public open spaces, including parks. The lack of public open spaces can have negative impacts on the physical and mental health of citizens, including increased stress levels, decreased physical activity, and reduced air quality.

The Importance of Parks as Public Open Spaces

Parks are essential components of urban planning, providing a range of benefits to citizens, including recreational spaces, green areas, and opportunities for social interaction. Well-designed parks can improve air quality, reduce noise pollution, and provide a sense of community and belonging. However, the maintenance of parks is often neglected, leading to a decline in their quality and functionality.

The Case of Taman Jasdam I/BB

Taman Jasdam I/BB is one of the green open spaces in Medan City, designed to provide facilities to the community to exercise and interact. However, based on initial observations, the park faces various challenges, including inadequate facilities, poor maintenance, and cleanliness issues. The park's facilities are often not well-maintained, and the cleanliness of the park is a major concern. This study aims to evaluate the comfort of visitors to the park and identify areas for improvement.

Methodology

This study will use a mixed-methods approach, combining both qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis methods. A survey will be conducted among park visitors to gather data on their perceptions of the park's comfort and quality. The survey will include questions on the quality of facilities, cleanliness, and plant maintenance, as well as demographic information on the respondents. In-depth interviews will also be conducted with park managers and maintenance staff to gather information on the park's maintenance and management practices.

Expected Outcomes

This study aims to provide insights into the comfort of visitors to Taman Jasdam I/BB and identify areas for improvement. The study's expected outcomes include a better understanding of the factors that affect visitor comfort, as well as recommendations for improving the park's facilities and maintenance practices. The study's findings will be useful for park managers, urban planners, and policymakers in developing strategies to improve the quality and functionality of public open spaces in Medan City.

Conclusion

This study aims to evaluate the comfort of visitors to Taman Jasdam I/BB and identify areas for improvement. The study's methodology includes a survey and in-depth interviews with park visitors, managers, and maintenance staff. The study's expected outcomes include a better understanding of the factors that affect visitor comfort and recommendations for improving the park's facilities and maintenance practices. By conducting this study, it is hoped that Taman Jasdam I/BB can be an example of an ideal and comfortable green open space for all people in the city of Medan.

Recommendations

Based on the study's expected outcomes, the following recommendations are made:

Improve the quality of facilities, including the installation of new equipment and the maintenance of existing facilities.
Enhance the cleanliness of the park, including regular cleaning and waste management practices.
Develop a maintenance plan, including regular inspections and maintenance of the park's facilities and grounds.
Increase community involvement, including the establishment of a community advisory board and the involvement of local residents in the park's maintenance and management practices.

Limitations

This study has several limitations, including:

The study's sample size is limited, and the survey may not be representative of the entire population of park visitors.
The study's methodology is limited, and the survey and in-depth interviews may not capture the full range of factors that affect visitor comfort.
The study's findings may not be generalizable, and the recommendations may not be applicable to other parks or cities.

Future Research Directions

This study provides a foundation for future research on the comfort of visitors to public open spaces. Future studies could explore the impact of park design and maintenance on visitor comfort, as well as the role of community involvement in park management and maintenance. Additionally, future studies could examine the economic benefits of well-designed and well-maintained parks, including the impact on property values and local businesses.

Q: What is the purpose of the study?

A: The purpose of the study is to evaluate the comfort of visitors to Taman Jasdam I/BB and identify areas for improvement. The study aims to provide insights into the factors that affect visitor comfort and make recommendations for improving the park's facilities and maintenance practices.

Q: What are the key factors that affect visitor comfort?

A: The key factors that affect visitor comfort include the quality of facilities, cleanliness, and plant maintenance. These factors are closely related to the planning and design of the park as an architectural product that reflects human interaction with its environment.

Q: How will the study be conducted?

A: The study will use a mixed-methods approach, combining both qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis methods. A survey will be conducted among park visitors to gather data on their perceptions of the park's comfort and quality. In-depth interviews will also be conducted with park managers and maintenance staff to gather information on the park's maintenance and management practices.

Q: What are the expected outcomes of the study?

A: The study's expected outcomes include a better understanding of the factors that affect visitor comfort, as well as recommendations for improving the park's facilities and maintenance practices. The study's findings will be useful for park managers, urban planners, and policymakers in developing strategies to improve the quality and functionality of public open spaces in Medan City.

Q: How will the study's findings be used?

A: The study's findings will be used to inform park management and maintenance practices, as well as urban planning and policy decisions. The study's recommendations will be shared with park managers, urban planners, and policymakers to help improve the quality and functionality of public open spaces in Medan City.

Q: What are the limitations of the study?

A: The study has several limitations, including the limited sample size and the limited methodology. The study's findings may not be generalizable, and the recommendations may not be applicable to other parks or cities.

Q: What are the future research directions?

A: The study provides a foundation for future research on the comfort of visitors to public open spaces. Future studies could explore the impact of park design and maintenance on visitor comfort, as well as the role of community involvement in park management and maintenance. Additionally, future studies could examine the economic benefits of well-designed and well-maintained parks, including the impact on property values and local businesses.

Q: How can the study's findings be applied to other parks or cities?

A: The study's findings can be applied to other parks or cities by considering the key factors that affect visitor comfort, including the quality of facilities, cleanliness, and plant maintenance. Park managers, urban planners, and policymakers can use the study's recommendations to inform their decisions and improve the quality and functionality of public open spaces in their cities.

Q: What are the benefits of conducting this study?

A: The benefits of conducting this study include a better understanding of the factors that affect visitor comfort, as well as recommendations for improving the park's facilities and maintenance practices. The study's findings will be useful for park managers, urban planners, and policymakers in developing strategies to improve the quality and functionality of public open spaces in Medan City.

Q: How can the study's findings be used to improve the quality of life for citizens?

A: The study's findings can be used to improve the quality of life for citizens by providing a safe and enjoyable environment for recreation and social interaction. The study's recommendations can be used to inform park management and maintenance practices, as well as urban planning and policy decisions, to help improve the quality and functionality of public open spaces in Medan City.

Q: What are the implications of the study's findings for urban planning and policy?

A: The study's findings have implications for urban planning and policy, including the need to prioritize the quality and functionality of public open spaces in urban planning and policy decisions. The study's recommendations can be used to inform urban planning and policy decisions, to help improve the quality and functionality of public open spaces in Medan City.