Short answer

When designing or managing public parks, consider how to integrate diverse, community-focused business activities that enhance the user experience without detracting from the park's core purpose.

Field
Innovation & Markets
Source
International Journal of Sustainable Construction Engineering Technology (2023)
Method
Quantitative research using online questionnaires.
Sample
170 respondents
Evidence
Moderate effect

Public parks can be strategically repurposed to foster diverse business activities, enhancing community engagement and economic value, provided park management implements suitable systems and planning. This innovation & markets research insight is drawn from a 2023 study published in International Journal of Sustainable Construction Engineering Technology. Using Quantitative research using online questionnaires. with 170 respondents, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: When designing or managing public parks, consider how to integrate diverse, community-focused business activities that enhance the user experience without detracting from the park's core purpose.

Study
Innovation & MarketsRecentModerate effect

Public Parks as Catalysts for Urban Business Innovation

Public parks can be strategically repurposed to foster diverse business activities, enhancing community engagement and economic value, provided park management implements suitable systems and planning.

International Journal of Sustainable Construction Engineering Technology · 2023

01

Key Findings

  • 01Park attributes that attract urban communities to public parks significantly influence business activity through community participation.
  • 02The urban community desires added program value as part of park business activities.
  • 03There is a preference for preserving passive activities and avoiding over-commercialization of parks.
  • 04Repurposing public parks for business requires careful preparation and effective management systems.
02

Application

Design takeaway

When designing or managing public parks, consider how to integrate diverse, community-focused business activities that enhance the user experience without detracting from the park's core purpose.

How to apply

When designing a new park or revitalizing an existing one, conduct user research to identify desired business activities and integrate flexible infrastructure that can support these. Develop a clear management plan that outlines how businesses will operate, their impact on park users, and how to maintain a balance between commercialization and public enjoyment.

Project actions

  • 01When proposing a new park feature or business, clearly articulate how it benefits the community and aligns with the park's overall purpose.
  • 02Consider the 'passive' versus 'active' use of the park and how business integration supports or detracts from these.
03

Method & Evidence

AimTo explore the potential of public parks to support and generate business activities within an urban community.
MethodQuantitative research using online questionnaires.
ProcedureDistributed online questionnaires to a random urban community to identify key park attributes that attract people and influence business activity, and to determine the types of businesses suitable for park environments.
Sample170 respondents
ContextUrban public parks in Kuala Lumpur.

Variables

IV["Park attributes (e.g., amenities, programming, accessibility)","Community participation in park activities"]
DV["Attractiveness of public parks to urban communities","Influence on business activity","Types of preferred business activities"]
CV["Location (Kuala Lumpur)","Type of park (urban public park)","Demographics of respondents (urban community)"]
04

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

  • +Addresses an under-researched area concerning the economic potential of public parks.
  • +Provides actionable insights for park management and urban planning.

Limitations

The study's findings are specific to Kuala Lumpur and may not apply universally. The questionnaire method might miss nuances of user experience.

Reliability & validity

The study's reliability could be enhanced by using a mixed-methods approach, combining questionnaires with observational data or interviews. Validity is supported by the clear research objectives and the quantitative methodology, but might be limited by the specific context of Kuala Lumpur.

Think critically

To what extent can public parks be commercialized before they lose their essential public character and appeal?

05

Design Principles

"Integrate complementary commercial functions into public spaces to enhance community value and economic viability, while carefully balancing commercial interests with public use and environmental considerations."

This research highlights an under-explored avenue for urban development, suggesting that public spaces can be more than just recreational areas. By integrating business activities thoughtfully, designers and urban planners can create more vibrant, self-sustaining community hubs that benefit both residents and local economies.

06

What This Means for Your Design

Parks can be great places for businesses, but they need to be planned well. People like parks that offer more than just green space, like events or small shops, but they don't want them to become too commercial. Good management is key to making it work.

How to use in your project

  • 1.Use this research to justify the inclusion of specific business or programming elements in your design proposal for a public space, citing the community's desire for added value and the importance of careful management.
07

Add to My Project

08

Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

Research indicates that public parks can serve as viable locations for business activities, enhancing community engagement and economic value. A study in Kuala Lumpur found that while urban dwellers desire added program value and business integration within parks, they also emphasize the need to avoid over-commercialization and preserve passive recreational opportunities. Successful implementation requires careful planning and effective management systems from park authorities, suggesting that design projects involving public spaces should consider these factors to create vibrant, multi-functional environments.

09

Source

International Journal of Sustainable Construction Engineering Technology

The Potential of Public Parks for Business Activity in An Urban Community

journal · 2023

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about public parks as catalysts for urban business innovation?
When designing or managing public parks, consider how to integrate diverse, community-focused business activities that enhance the user experience without detracting from the park's core purpose. Evidence: International Journal of Sustainable Construction Engineering Technology (2023).
Why does "Public Parks as Catalysts for Urban Business Innovation" matter for design?
This research highlights an under-explored avenue for urban development, suggesting that public spaces can be more than just recreational areas. By integrating business activities thoughtfully, designers and urban planners can create more vibrant, self-sustaining community hubs that benefit both residents and local economies.
How can designers apply this research?
When designing or managing public parks, consider how to integrate diverse, community-focused business activities that enhance the user experience without detracting from the park's core purpose.
What were the main findings?
Park attributes that attract urban communities to public parks significantly influence business activity through community participation.. The urban community desires added program value as part of park business activities.. There is a preference for preserving passive activities and avoiding over-commercialization of parks.. Repurposing public parks for business requires careful preparation and effective management systems.
What research method was used?
Quantitative research using online questionnaires. with 170 respondents.
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence strength is rated Moderate effect, based on a 2023 journal from International Journal of Sustainable Construction Engineering Technology.
What should I do differently in my next project?
When designing a new park or revitalizing an existing one, conduct user research to identify desired business activities and integrate flexible infrastructure that can support these. Develop a clear management plan that outlines how businesses will operate, their impact on park users, and how to maintain a balance between commercialization and public enjoyment.
What are the limitations?
The study focused on a specific urban context (Kuala Lumpur), and findings may not be directly generalizable to all urban park settings. The reliance on online questionnaires might exclude segments of the population without internet access.