The Contributions of the Green Areas in Residence Immediate Environment on Quality of Urban Life

Abstract

Quality of Life (QoL) is a multidimensional concept and covers urban life in all its parts. Nowadays the quality of urban life focuses mainly on the urban environment. There is increasing evidence that green areas significantly contribute to quality of life. Social, economic, cultural, ecological, physical, and psychological health benefits are many positive impacts of green areas on quality of life. Especially green areas in the residence immediate environment have an important role in improving the quality of life. For this reason, urban green areas are accepted as one of the basic indicators of urban quality of life. In this paper, residents’ perceptions of quality of life in green areas are examined via data from a survey in Selçuklu District (Konya, Turkey). Using face-to-face interviews, 415 residents were interviewed in Selçuklu District from January to March 2020. Also, this study evaluates the contributions of the urban green areas to the quality of life in Selçuklu District. Analysis of how green spaces enhance the quality of life has been examined from the residence immediate environment perspective. Results show that residents with green areas in the residence immediate environment that are accessible and usable are more satisfied with their residence. From the findings, strategies have been established to potentiate the role of urban green areas in the promotion of the urban quality of life and sustainability for Selçuklu District.