Investigation of Important Park Features that Encourage Park Visiting, Physical Activity and Social Interaction Among Teenagers with the Case of Ihlamur Park

Abstract

Today, the rapid increase in urbanization and the concentration of population density in urban centers have increased the need for individuals to be in touch with nature. In this context, urban use areas such as urban parks play an important role in meeting the physical and social needs of teenagers. Parks are not only spaces that encourage physical activity, but also spaces that increase social interaction, strengthen community ties and support physical activities. Ihlamur Park in Konya is an important living space where teenagers show great interest, offering various activities and social opportunities. However, detailed information on the purposes for which teenagers use the park and which features of the park encourage this use has not been fully identified. The aim of this study is to examine the purposes of the use of Ihlamur Park by teenagers and to identify the features of the park that encourage physical activity and social interaction. For the research, 116 teenagers were surveyed face-to-face on the basis of the law on the protection of personal data and voluntary participation of park users by visiting the area on random days on weekdays and weekends. The survey was carried out with the approval of the Ethics Committee of Selçuk University, Faculty of Architecture and Design. By determining the level of use of teenagers, it is the preparation of a resource that park users can reach. The research also provides a comprehensive evaluation to understand the park usage habits and motivations of teenagers, and in this context, it has contributed to the development of recommendations for the design and management of parks. Thus, the importance of park features that allow teenagers to lead a more active life and increase their social interactions is emphasized.