The Role of Historical Persian Gardens as Urban Green Spaces: Psychological, Physical, and Social Aspects

Parks and urban green spaces are important factors for the quality of life and promoting environmental justice. Although a high park utilization improves health and well-being, the Iranian urban residents have a low park utilization. Nevertheless, historical Persian gardens have remained as successful urban green spaces among urban residents. In this study, four well-known historical Persian gardens in Shiraz city (Eram, Hafeziyeh, Jahan Nama, and Afifabad) have been investigated on physical, social, and psychological aspects to identify their associations with the utilization of these spaces. Of 800 questionnaires distributed among adult residents in two seasons in these gardens, 775 questionnaires were collected. Connecting to nature, refreshing, and relaxing were detected as the most frequently referred reasons for garden visitation compared with social and physical activities. Attachment to place, aesthetics of gardens, accessibility, and feeling safe were associated with higher garden visitation. However, bonding with the place (as a psychological factor) and feeling safe (as a social factor) were more associated with garden visitation compared with aesthetics and accessibility of gardens (physical factor). The significant role of safety on mediating effects of other attributes on garden visitation was revealed, as well. So, park designers and planners should improve park qualities by investing in affective components, infrastructure, and activities, which support social benefits to increase the number of park users.