Pocket Parks Research Articles

Examining the nonlinear relationships between park attributes and satisfaction with pocket parks in Chengdu

Pocket parks have become a popular intervention for improving urban residents’quality of life. Although previous studies have investigated how park attributes contribute to user satisfaction, most assume that they have a (generalized) linear relationship. The assumption may understate the importance of parking attributes that are nonlinearly associated with park satisfaction and misestimate the effects of other attributes, yielding flawed implications for park planning and design. In this study, we employed linear regression and gradient boosting decision trees sequentially on data from Chengdu, a typical large and developing city aiming to become a Garden City by 2035, to examine the associations between park satisfaction and park attributes, which were measured on a five-point scale. Both models showed that the most important correlate of park satisfaction is entrance location, followed by footpath design, trees and shrubs, safety, flowers, convenience for social activities, and greenness.Moreover, some attributes are nonlinearly related to park satisfaction. For instance,green spaces and flowers greatly contribute to park satisfaction only when they perform well (i.e., their performance scores exceed Scale 3 of the five-point scale).The attribute of trees and shrubs diminishes park satisfaction substantially only when its performance is inferior (i.e., its score is lower than Scale 3). Furthermore, some seemingly unimportant attributes (such as recreational facilities and park maintenance) impose a non-trivial detrimental impact on park satisfaction when park users are extremely dissatisfied with the attributes (i.e., their performance scores are at the lowest level). The nonlinear relationships offer nuanced insights on the design of small public parks in densely developed urban areas.

A Deep Learning Approach to Identify Potential Sites for Pocket Park Installation in Nanjing, China

ABSTRACT Pocket parks are considered valuable tools for supporting green space provision in high-density environments. As the factors affecting pocket parks vary in fine-grained granularity, analyzing them efficiently on a large scale using traditional methods is challenging. Therefore, considering Nanjing as the study site, a potential identification framework was established, which includes categories of space, vitality, facility, and pleasurability for pocket park installation (PPI) based on visual information from street view images (SVIs). Then, the TrueSkill algorithm was employed to construct four parallel-task training sets according to the four categories and a convolutional neural network (CNN) and active learning (AL) approaches were applied to establish four parallel-task models of deep learning (DL). A two-phase grading score method was designed to integrate the identification results of the four DL models into a comprehensive potential score to determine priority sites for PPI. Lastly, the attributes of the potential sites and corresponding planning strategies in different scenarios were analyzed. The results showed that this modelling approach can integrally assess multiple factors on PPI within an enormous scope, overcoming traditional methods’ spatial and dimensional constraint in high-density environments. Our method and results can inform future pocket park planning and design in Nanjing and similar cities worldwide.

From Health Risks to Environmental Actions: Research on the Pathway of Guiding Citizens to Participate in Pocket-Park Governance

The COVID-19 pandemic has heightened the demand for urban pocket parks near residential areas, posing new challenges for environmental governance. However, there is a lack of research on how to engage citizens in pocket-park governance to address both potential and unforeseen risks. This study combines social information processing theory with a norm activation model to develop a framework that identifies the shaping stages and influencing factors of citizens’ intentions to participate in pocket-park governance. Using partial least squares structural equation modeling, this research analyzed the relationships among external factors, attitudes, moral norms, and intentions to participate based on 719 responses from an online survey targeting Chinese citizens in November and December 2023. Results indicate that health risks and pocket-park environmental quality positively affect perceived usefulness. Attitudes and moral norms are indeed important factors mediating the positive effect of the external environment on the intention to participate. The pathway of guiding citizens to participate in pocket-park governance is clarified, which helps bolster the resilience of urban green spaces and improve the quality of life of residents after public crises.

Investigating the influence of elements in pocket parks on the psychological restoration of young people: a study from Guiyang and Chongqing in Southwest China

ABSTRACT In an era marked by rapid pace and demanding work schedules, young individuals frequently experience mental exhaustion and emotional downturns, exacerbating mental health issues. Recognizing this, prior studies have underscored the significant role of pocket parks in fostering emotional rejuvenation. However, previous research has primarily suggested that green natural elements in pocket parks positively influence restorative effects, without thoroughly examining the restorative power of different natural elements. Furthermore, there has been a lack of systematic analysis to quantify the impact of both natural elements and activities in pocket parks on their restorative effects. This research adopts a quantitative approach to explore the interaction between psychological attributes and the restorative impacts of various natural elements within pocket parks. It also considers the influence of socio-demographic factors, ultimately proposing an evaluation model to assess these spaces’ psychological restoration capabilities. Focusing on Guiyang and Chongqing as study locations, the research utilized 20 photographs to represent typical elements within pocket parks. Analysis of these images led to the identification of nine critical elements. Participants provided insights into how these factors relate to psychological characteristics and their subsequent restorative effects by responding to five carefully designed questions. The analysis revealed that amenities for relaxation and sports play a pivotal role in enhancing restorative outcomes and influencing psychological traits. Additionally, the effect of natural elements on restoration varied; while trees and water bodies positively contributed to restoration, shrubs and lawns were found to have a less significant effect. The study concludes by introducing an evaluation model that identifies the primary built environment factors influencing restoration. The results of this study are intended to guide the redesign of pocket parks and inform policy-making processes.

Seeing the forest for the trees? An exploration of the Miyawaki forest method in the UK

ABSTRACT The “Miyawaki forest” is described as a dense, fast-growing and biodiverse native forest. It is based on afforestation management methods pioneered by Dr Akira Miyawaki in the 1970s. The “Miyawaki Forest method (MFM)” relies on intensive ground preparation and dense tree planting from the onset, a system that claims to enhance tree growth and be biologically richer than other afforestation techniques. Applied in urban environments, it claims to reconnect people with nature and enhances human wellbeing. It has recently been introduced in Western countries culminating in hundreds of recent MFM tree planting projects in the UK dating from 2020 onwards. However, there is very little accompanying research investigating how feasible and applicable MFM is in the UK context. This paper addresses this gap by ascertaining the knowledge of, and attitudes towards, MFM of a small sample of professionals and practitioners (n = 12). The results showed how those opinions varied on the potential of applying the method in a temperate climate. Half the interviewees supported using MFM in practice and there was broad support for its application in specific urban landscapes, including school playgrounds and pocket parks. Cost was seen to be an important factor with perceived high initial costs and high tree mortality through competition. Interviewees did not consider MFM to be feasible in rural areas. Interviewees agreed that the MFM could be useful for ecosystem services such as carbon sequestration and storage, flood management and connecting people to nature, but they also called for more, and longitudinal, research into the method to fully understand its suitability in the UK.

The value of pocket parks in preserving urban butterfly diversity

Butterflies, valued for their aesthetic and ecological value, are key subjects in urban biodiversity research. Our study focused on the often-overlooked roles of pocket parks, which are micro-greenspaces and small amusement parks open to the public. Despite their limited size, pocket parks are vital in maintaining the diversity of urban butterflies. We contrasted pocket park diversity with urban parks in Beijing, China. Next, using hierarchical clustering, we classified butterflies into exploiters, adapters, and avoiders based on how well they adapted to urban environments. Finally, we used Logistic regression and Poisson regression to build generalised linear models for all species and each of the three groups separately, allowing us to investigate the differences in the effects of variables from food resources and shelters on various butterfly groups in pocket parks. The results showed that although the primary restrictions differ depending on the group, pocket parks can serve as habitats for most species. Management intensity, pocket park area and nectar plants were significant variables for all species. The tourist intensity and host plants were variables that affected the presence of exploiters. Host plants, nectar plants, and management intensity all affected adapter diversity. Pocket parks’ area was only affected avoiders significantly. These results suggest that pocket parks have roles as source and sink habitats for exploiters and adapters and as stepping stones and corridors for most butterfly species inhabiting cities.

Designing Pocket Park at Dense Building Area with Micro Climate Approach

Pocket parks can create new public spaces without needing large-scale redevelopment, usually smaller than one hectare and created in densely developed urban areas. This research aims to improve the community's standard of living, creating a more comfortable environment for humans and the environment. This research focuses on the design of pocket parks in dense building areas with the concept of microclimate. Data is collected from field observations. The design results are expected to provide an understanding of the role of pocket parks in dense neighborhoods and guide future park planning and management.

Towards a better understanding of capitalization of urban greening: Examining the interactive relationship between public and club green space accessibility

With the inequalities in accessing urban green space being intensified worldwide, the capitalization of urban green space (UGS) is increasingly becoming an important concern for achieving inclusive and sustainable urban development. Although the relationship between greening and capital investment has been widely investigated, little is known about the role of residential club green space in the capitalization of urban greening, particularly in cities with well-established markets for gated communities (GCs). To address this gap, this study put together multiple official data and open data to systematically examine the interrelation between club green space and urban parks in terms of accessibility and affordability. The results demonstrate that club green space profoundly influences residents' daily exposure to urban green space, particularly for walking modes. Additionally, residents’ general willingness to pay for accessing UGS may create a mutually reinforcing effect between club green space and urban parks. As the housing premiums reflect, club green space complements high-level parks (city and district parks) but substitutes small-scale parks (community and pocket parks). Park quality and neighborhood population density may amplify the substitution effect of club greens, while the level of neighborhood aging shows a contrary effect and is reflected mainly in walking accessibility. Foregrounding the often-overlooked residential club green space in UGS studies, this research offers a novel and useful perspective to enrich the understanding of capitalization of urban green spaces, especially in GCs-dominated urban contexts, thus informing green space planning and policy-making.

Pocket Parks in Urban Design: Enhancing Urban Environment and Community Well-being

As urban environments become increasingly dense, pocket parks have emerged as essential elements in enhancing the urban environment and improving the quality of life in densely populated areas. These compact, strategically designed spaces offer a range of benefits, extending from ecological enrichment to fostering social connections. This paper explores the concept and significance of pocket parks in urban design, examining their contributions to both ecological diversity and community well-being. Central to their success is a commitment to innovative design principles that emphasize efficient space utilization, contextual integration, and ecological sensitivity. These principles ensure that pocket parks are not only practical and visually appealing but also resonate with local community needs and the surrounding environment. This study aims to highlight the transformative potential of pocket parks in creating more livable, sustainable, and inclusive urban environments, underlining their role as dynamic elements in contemporary urban development.

What affect the satisfaction, preferences, and visitation of pocket parks? Evidence from Shanghai

The phenomenon of rapid urbanization and densification in megacities has emphasized the significance of access and exposure to urban green spaces. Pocket parks, due to their small size, low cost, and accessibility, have the potential to meet the daily needs of nearby residents for urban green spaces. They play crucial roles in enhancing the satisfaction and health benefits of city residents through physical activities, social engagement, and stress relief. In this study, we conducted a survey to evaluate pocket park satisfaction and to identify the importance level of different park attributes from users' perspective. The results showed that (1) The satisfaction levels of visitors in terms of environment, facilities, management, and overall satisfaction were significantly associated with their social groups, while the satisfaction levels related to environment and landscape were significantly different among visitors of different age and visiting frequency groups, respectively; (2) visuality characters had higher importance level than perceptibility characters, with “well-maintained facilities”, “landscape richness” and “safety facilities”, “hard landscape”, and “plant conservation” having the highest importance scores; (3) proximity to parks, visitors’ age and overall satisfaction had significant impact on pocket park visiting frequency. These findings provide implications for decision makers to on how to build high-quality and well-designed pocket parks that have a positive impact on the well-being of citizens. Management implicationsThe work in this study is related to the mangement of pocket parks. It explored factors that affected visitors’ satisfaction and preferences towards different attributes and features of pocket parks. It also identified the predictors for visiting frequencies of pocket parks. The findings will provide implications for decision makers to on how to build high-quality and well-designed pocket parks that can attract more citizens. The high importance of “well-maintained facilities” and “plant conservation” showed this study will also help park administrators to prioritize their work in the management and maintenance of pocket parks.

Where the not-so-wild things are in cities? The influence of social-ecological factors in urban trees at multiple scales

Green infrastructure plays an essential role in cities due to the ecosystem services it provides. However, these elements are shaped by social and ecological factors that influence their distribution and diversity, affecting ecological functions and human well-being. Here, we analyzed neighborhood tree distribution - trees in pocket parks, squares and along streets – in Lisbon (Portugal) and modelled tree abundance and taxonomic and functional diversity, at the parish and local scales, considering a comprehensive list of social and ecological factors. For the functional analyses, we included functional traits linked to dispersal, resilience to important perturbations in coastal Mediterranean cities, and ecosystem services delivery. Our results show not only that trees are unevenly distributed across the city, but that there is a strong influence of social factors on all biological indices considered. At the parish and local scales, abundance and diversity responded to different factors, with abundance being linked to both social and ecological variables. Although the influence of social factors on urban trees can be expected, by modelling their influence we can quantify how much humans modify urban landscapes at a structural and functional level. These associations can underlie potential biodiversity filters and should be analyzed over time to inform decisions that support long-term ecological resilience, maximize trait functional expression, and increase equity in ecosystem services delivery.

A Study of Soundscape Restoration in Office-Type Pocket Parks

High-density building environments and fast-paced working conditions in cities pose health challenges for office workers. Office-type pocket parks assume the social responsibility of providing restorative environments for office workers, and the soundscape is an essential element of such environments. However, there is limited research on soundscape restoration in office-type pocket parks. Therefore, this study focused on soundscape restoration in office-type pocket parks. First, on-site investigations explored the spatial characteristics of 55 office-type pocket parks while analysing the soundscape features of 12 representative parks. Notably, significant correlations emerged among the perceptual parameters of the soundscape. Subsequently, three dimensions were extracted through an experimental study on the restoration levels of soundscape elements in office-based pocket parks: attractiveness, coordination, and disengagement. Finally, this study explored the impact of spatial enclosures and interface characteristics on soundscape restoration levels. This revealed that the restorative effect of negative sounds, such as traffic, air-conditioning, and speech, is significantly negatively correlated with spatial enclosure. Therefore, the greater the enclosure, the lower the restorative effect of the soundscape. Birdsongs significantly enhance the attractiveness of grey spaces, whereas small fountain sounds are most coordinated in blue spaces. This study provides a reference for the design of soundscapes in pocket parks to build healthy, restorative urban environments.

Assessing the Relationship between Land Surface Temperature and Composition Elements of Urban Green Spaces during Heat Waves Episodes in Mediterranean Cities

In the context of escalating global temperatures and intensified heat waves, the Mediterranean region emerges as a noteworthy hotspot, experiencing a surge in the frequency and intensity of these extreme heat events. Nature-based solutions, particularly management of urban green infrastructure (UGI) areas, have shown promising outcomes in adapting urban areas to the challenges posed by heat waves. The objective of the current study is twofold: firstly, to identify the compositional patterns of strategically distributed small public green spaces, demonstrating their enhanced capacity to mitigate the impact of heat waves in the Mediterranean region; secondly, to assess the association, direction, and explanatory strength of the relationship between the composition elements of the UGI areas and area typology, specifically focusing on the variation in land surface temperature (LST) values during heat wave episodes spanning from 2017 to 2023. The methodology involved obtaining land surface temperature (LST) values from satellite images and classifying green areas based on composition, orientation, and typology. Ordinal multiple regressions were conducted to analyze the relationship between the considered variables and LST ranges during heat wave episodes that occurred from 2017 to 2023. The findings indicate an increase in LST ranges across many areas, emphasizing heightened thermal stress in a Mediterranean medium-sized compact city, Granada (in the southeast of the Iberian Peninsula). Traditional squares, pocket parks and gardens, and pedestrian areas with trees and impervious surfaces performed better in reducing the probability of exceeding LST values above 41 °C compared to other vegetated patches mainly occupied by herbaceous vegetation and grass. The study concludes by advocating for the strategic incorporation of vegetation, especially trees, along with traditional squares featuring semipermeable pavement with trees and shrubbery, as a potential effective strategy for enhancing resilience against extreme heat events. Overall, this research enhances our understanding of LST dynamics during heat waves and offers guidance for bolstering the resilience of urban green spaces in the Mediterranean region.

Investigation of the influence mechanism of park usage intensity and flexibility based on multi-source data: a case study of pocket parks in Beijing

This study selected 24 highly popular pocket parks in Beijing and conducted field research to collect data on park use during weekdays and weekends. SPSS correlation analysis and the development of a decision tree model were used to rank the key factors that influence the flexibility and intensity of park use on weekdays and weekends. The findings indicated that the key factors impacting the flexibility and intensity of park use on weekdays, in order of importance, are seat density, recreation facilities density, land use entropy (LUE), distance to a public toilet, POI density, and 5-min accessibility. On the other hand, the main factors influencing the flexibility and intensity of park use on weekends are 5-min accessibility, seat density, POI density, fitness facilities density, distance to the bus stop, distance to a public toilet, and life service facilities density. These findings offer valuable insights for the study of pocket parks in other cities.

Combining Pocket Parks with Ecological Rainwater Management Techniques in High-Density Urban Environments

In this paper, the benefits of combining pocket parks with Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) in densely built urban areas are demonstrated, through an application proposal in a medium to low-income neighborhood of the historical center of Thessaloniki, Greece. After an outline of the urbanization impact upon rainwater management, the features of the proposed site are presented, in particular those related to rainwater runoff (e.g., rather large ground slope, narrow sidewalks), which result in considerable nuisance, even during medium intensity rainfall events. The choice of the SuDS components, namely a small-scale rain garden and a permeable pavement zone is explained next. Then, the basic design details of the proposed rain garden are given, including the form of the inlet structures and a list of plants, suitable for the climatic conditions of many North Mediterranean regions. The role and the features of the permeable pavement zone are also discussed and some ideas for the urban equipment required to upgrade the park are presented. A preliminary estimate of the cost for the construction of the rainwater management works and for upgrading the available lot to a pocket park is also included. Compared to the cost of sewer pipe network reconstruction, it can be concluded that the proposed solution is cost-efficient, even without considering aesthetic and social benefits. Moreover, it allows for stepwise construction, based on the available funds.

Restorative Effects of Pocket Parks on Mental Fatigue among Young Adults: A Comparative Experimental Study of Three Park Types

Urban parks have been proven to effectively reduce mental fatigue among city residents; however, there has been less focus on the mental health benefits offered by pocket parks in densely populated areas from a field experiment perspective. Additionally, there is insufficient evidence providing information on the environmental characteristics that support recovery from mental fatigue. This study was based on 80 young adults aged 19–25 years. Three types of pocket parks were selected: street corners, interblock spaces, and intrablock spaces. Through a field experiment with questionnaire collection, physiological (BP, HR, and LF/HF) and psychological indicators (FS-14 and VAS) were used to explore the relationship between various pocket park features and respondents’ mental fatigue recovery. This study investigated the restorative effects of 10 environmental features by collecting questionnaires. The results suggested that different types of pocket parks have the recovery effect of pocket parks. Four environmental factors, namely, vegetation colour (β = −0.472, p = 0.002), vegetation coverage (β = 0.298, p = 0.046), resting facility comfort (β = −0.336, p = 0.028), and plant species (β = −0.437, p = 0.003), were more predictive of mental fatigue recoverability. However, factors such as neighbourhood hygiene and spatial privacy did not show significant predictive effects. Our findings provide robust evidence for urban park planning and design. In the future landscape design of high-density urban areas, greater emphasis can be placed on the construction of pocket parks. The rational selection and configuration of environmental factors that contribute to recovery effects in pocket parks will contribute to meeting the psychological health service needs of high-density urban populations.

Assessing urban park equity in Chaoyang District, Beijing using online review data

Urban parks are essential components of urban ecosystems, providing vital ecological resources for city residents. However, the rapid expansion of high-density urban areas has led to an unequal distribution of park resources, raising growing concerns about spatial equity. To address these challenges, we employed an improved Gaussian two-step floating catchment area (2SFCA) method, considering park quality variations and integrating sentiment scores from park reviews to calculate a comprehensive park accessibility index, accounting for both supply and demand dynamics among park users. The results demonstrate the significance of park management, as users prioritise convenience and cleanliness of public facilities. Recreational quality significantly influences park distribution equity, with areas near Beijing’s initial greenbelt zone showing improved accessibility (IA). Nonetheless, our analysis exposes disparities in urban park resource allocation within the Chaoyang District, indicating relative inequity. Spatial supply and demand mismatches, especially in the northwest and southeast, are evident. To enhance park layout equity, we recommend strategies like identifying and repurposing underused spaces, establishing pocket parks and micro-green areas, and improving recreational facilities. It is crucial to address the needs of vulnerable groups such as older residents and children. These insights stress the importance of ensuring fair urban park access to enhance the well-being of all city residents.

Research on Configuration and Optimization of Age-Friendly Facilities in Pocket Parks

Research on Configuration and Optimization of Age-Friendly Facilities in Pocket Parks

Effective Recreational Activities in Urban Green Spaces for Mental Health of Scientific Researchers

Scientific researchers are known for their demanding intellectual efforts and are particularly susceptible to mental health disorders. Urban green spaces (UGSs) are beneficial for people’s mental health, yet there is limited research on what types of UGSs and activities are effective for improving researchers’ mental health. Here, we investigate if researchers’ mental health can be enhanced by visiting affiliated green spaces, pocket parks, comprehensive parks, and coastal beaches. The research hypothesis was that the natural and social pathways of recreational ecosystem services jointly reduce researchers’ mental stress and attentional fatigue. The results suggest that nature contact, nature connectedness, and social interaction directly or indirectly have positive impacts on scientific researchers’ mental health. Both nature connectedness and social interaction serve as crucial mediating variables between nature contact and mental health. In terms of direct impact, high-frequency recreational activities in small UGSs with high accessibility, markedly relieve stress, whereas visit frequency in large UGSs with low accessibility has a limited effect on long-term mental stress relief. In terms of indirect impact, small UGSs alleviate attentional fatigue through the mediation of nature connectedness, while large UGSs mainly mitigate mental stress and attentional fatigue through the mediation of social interaction. This study provides a natural-social integrated perspective on recreational ecosystem services to enhance the well-being of scientific researchers. We provide recommendations for researchers to mitigate work-related stress and fatigue and to offer information useful for decision-making support to create a healthy environment for scientific researchers.

Analysis of the Design Status and Strategies of Pocket Parks in the Context of Park Cities

Analysis of the Design Status and Strategies of Pocket Parks in the Context of Park Cities