The assessment of public green spaces quality to enhance urban amenities in Yogyakarta

Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Institut Teknologi Nasional Yogyakarta, Yogyakarta, Indonesia

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Abstract

Public Green Spaces (PGS) are increasingly recognized not only for their ecological functions but also for their contribution to urban livability and residents' psychological well-being. However, in many rapidly growing cities, PGS have declined significantly in both area and quality. In Yogyakarta, PGS has decreased from approximately 35% in the 1970s to just 10% today, due to urban expansion, rising population density, and land-use conversion. This study aims to evaluate the quality of PGS in Yogyakarta to support its vision as a sustainable green city. A total of 47 PGS locations developed by the Yogyakarta City Government across 13 sub-districts were assessed using seven variables. Data were analyzed descriptively with a Likert scale (3 = very comfortable, 2 = comfortable, 1 = less comfortable). The results indicate that safety and lighting are the most influential variables contributing to users' comfort. Overall, 14 PGS (29.79%) were rated as very comfortable, 26 PGS (55.32%) as moderately comfortable, and 7 PGS (14.89%) as less comfortable. Furthermore, the analysis reveals that residents' perceptions diverge from theoretical perspectives in certain aspects, particularly circulation. While theory emphasizes walkability, the community expressed preferences for wide roads and parking facilities, suggesting for inclusivity and accessibility local use.