Journal of Natural Environment

Critical Indicators for Sustainable Management of Urban Parks Case Study: Karaj Urban Parks

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 PhD student Of Environmental Sciences, University of Malayer University of Tehran, Faculty of Natural Resources, Department of Environmental Sciences

2 Msc. Of Environmental Sciences, University of Tehran University of Tehran, Faculty of Natural Resources, Department of Environmental Sciences

3 Msc. Of Environmental Sciences, Isfahan Isfahan University of Technology, Faculty of Natural Resources, Department of Environmental Sciences

4 Associate Prof., Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Tehran

Abstract

Urban parks as public green space have played a unique and indispensable role in providing recreation opportunities and functions to urban populations. As a result of population growth and density, the sustainability of urban parks is a challenging management task. There exists a need to adopt effective management strategies for achieving the sustainable development and management of urban parks. In this study main and important Karaj city parks and their recreational problems were recognized by using of Limits of Acceptable Change (LAC) as management model. Also some indicators that influenced on visitor satisfaction were specified in these parks. Based on expert’s questionnaires, ten parks have identified as significant and important parks. Moreover experts introduced the important recreational problems in management, environment and social issues in these parks. 358 questionnaires by visitors completed and Cronbach' s Alpha was calculated, 0.8. Results show; Bower, Sport campus, Tap, Buffet, Healthy instruments and Washstand as management indicator ,and population and intruder people as social indicator were selected as critical indicators. In fact, managers should quantify standard value for these indicators via visitor’s view and existing standard and then monitor them. Monitoring help manager to maintain desirable conditions in these parks so, visitors will be satisfied.

Keywords

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Journal of Natural Environment
Volume 67, Issue 4 - Serial Number 4
January 2015
Pages 425-433