Factors influencing the public park use in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Abstract

Urban public parks provide a recreational space for urban residents. However, some peoples claimed that Malaysia has yet to reach a satisfactory degree of urban public parks design and development to facilitate residents with a healthy environment. Therefore, there is an essential need to identify a public park’s characteristics that can satisfy and fulfill urban residents’ needs for a healthy and high quality environment. This study aimed to examine the influencing factors of urban public park usage in Kuala Lumpur. A questionnaire is designed based on the socio-ecological model and previous empirical findings was distributed to 400 respondents at 12 public parks in Kuala Lumpur through a purposive sampling method. Multiple linear regression was used to analyze the data. The results found that the physical environment was the strongest factor influencing the use of public parks in Kuala Lumpur. Social and individual factors followed this. The results found extensive input and contributed to new literature related to the use of urban public parks. This study recommends several policies to be considered, particularly on urban landscape management. The local authorities should play an important role in protecting the existing public park’s physical environment to achieve the best quality continuously.