Urban observation on behaviors and design guidelines for green space in Doun Penh District

As the world is rapidly urbanizing, with more than half of the global population now living in urban areas and projected to increase by more than two-thirds by 2050, urban green spaces have become more important than ever. They address urgent issues such as climate change, environmental degradation, and people’s well-being. Currently, Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia, is experiencing rapid development. In this city, urban green spaces are under pressure to provide people with recreational opportunities and are a vital component in improving the quality of life. It is imperative that green spaces in densely populated cities be accessible to all. However, the green spaces in older districts of Phnom Penh, such as Doun Penh at the city's heart, do not offer equal opportunities to everybody, and landscape design elements do not meet the needs of everyone in terms both of quality and quantity. This study will focus on the physical elements, users’ perceptions, and behaviors of the people using urban green space in order to understand the factors contributing to enablers or inhibitors for people to use green spaces. This thesis asks what are the design considerations, particularly those that influence residents’ behavior and perception, for urban green spaces to promote both quality and quantity in the Doun Penh district. This will be explored through both qualitative and quantitative research methods to analyze Riverside Park and Psar Jas Park in Doun Penh as case studies. The research involved three tools: online surveys, in-depth interviews, and behavioral mapping.The findings highlighted that, in green spaces, quality is more important than quantity, as people expressed emotional attachment to the redesign of these areas, according to surveys. Each change was highly contentious in terms of meeting user needs and providing overall benefits. The qualitative aspect emphasizes enhancing physical space design, including physical elements and layout design, human perceptions, and human senses, addressing multi-sensory perception, which is crucial for social interactions. Therefore, the proposed conceptual masterplan for both of these green spaces was designed to encourage social activities over individual activities. On the quantitative side, it is proposed to repurpose old infrastructures and abandoned spaces along Psar Jas Park into community spaces, integrating green features, networks, and agriculture. Riverside Park is proposed to have expanded green spaces along the embankment to address underutilization and create a more extensive network, thereby enhancing the quantity across the study area. Moreover, Nature-based Solutions are proposed in a new development area, aiming to improve both the quality and quantity of green spaces throughout the entire Doun Penh district. The goal is to effectively transform and expand these urban green spaces, offering multiple sensory experiences and accommodating diverse users. By proposing various potential mechanisms and strategies, we can convert urban green spaces in the Doun Penh district into healthier and more livable urban environments.