Public Open Spaces Evaluation Using Importance-Performance Analysis (IPA) in Saudi Universities: The Case of King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah

Ahmad Maghrabi,Abdullah Addas,Ran Goldblatt

doi:10.3390/su13020915

Ahmad Maghrabi, Abdullah Addas + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/su13020915

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Abstract

Public open spaces (POSs) provide multiple services (such as facilities for physical activities and social interactions) to local people, and these services are important for the well-being of society and for improving the quality of life. Extensive research on POSs has been carried out in developed countries (such as the US and Australia, as well as European countries including Spain, France, and Germany). However, POSs in the Saudi Arabian context remain unexplored. This study aims to examine the importance and performance of public open spaces on King Abdulaziz University (KAU) campus, Jeddah city, Saudi Arabia, using importance-performance analysis (IPA). One-way ANOVA and Kruskal–Wallis tests were performed to identify differences in the importance and performance of POSs. It was observed that there are significant differences between the importance and performance of public open spaces on the KAU campus, as perceived by stakeholders. Therefore, this study may be helpful in understanding the importance and performance of public open spaces, allowing spaces to be prioritized to improve management and restore open spaces to achieve environmental sustainability at a local scale. In addition, this study suggests that decision-makers involved in campus planning should consider the contribution of public open spaces to education, recreation, and the environment, at the campus planning stage.

Highlights

A public open space (POS) can be defined as “an area or place that is open and accessible to all the citizens, regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, age or socio-economic level”.The prime function of a public open spaces (POSs) is to provide satisfaction to its stakeholders [1]
Considering these research gaps, the present study aims to evaluate the value of POSs as perceived by stakeholders, using importance-performance analysis (IPA), at King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah city, Saudi Arabia
The field survey showed that more than 70% of respondents were aware of the benefits of the POSs within the university campus

Summary

Introduction

A public open space (POS) can be defined as “an area or place that is open and accessible to all the citizens, regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, age or socio-economic level”.The prime function of a POS is to provide satisfaction to its stakeholders [1]. The role of POS is significant to environmental sustainability, and city planners and policy-makers must consider the contribution of POS to sustainable urban development [4]. Over the last few decades, rapid urban expansion, and land use and land change (LULC) have resulted in the substantial deterioration of POSs. many cities, in developing countries, face difficulties in the sustainable management of POSs [5,6,7]. Many cities, in developing countries, face difficulties in the sustainable management of POSs [5,6,7] Apart from these difficulties, there are many barriers related to the protection and maintenance of POSs, which require the involvement of local authorities as well as inhabitants [5].

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