Determining the effect of open and green spaces to the urban life quality: Example of Sancaktepe

Green spaces, a spatial and functional element of urban environments, are one of the components that affect the quality of life. Green spaces have effects on urban life quality by means of the physical activity level and social life. In this study, the effects of green areas on the quality of life within the framework of social integration and housing environment issues were examined. The main purpose of this study is to emphasize the significance of urban green areas in order to determine the effect of green areas on the quality of life and to increase the quality of life. In this context, first of all a literature search was carried out about green areas and quality of life. The district of Sancaktepe in the province of İstanbul, attracting attention with its great number of green areas and being in the process of urbanization has been selected as the study area. The study area was divided into 4 regions according to the structure development process and structure density. The current situation of the green areas in 4 residential areas has been revealed as an inventory. The amount of green area per capita was determined by comparing the population of the district with the size of the green areas, and the results were compared with the zoning norms. The green space requirement of Sancaktepe was evaluated within the light of the inventories prepared. In addition, a survey was conducted in 4 residential areas where green area inventories were prepared. Statistical methods have been used to analyze whether there is a relation between socio- economic differences and green area utilization of residents in these regions and green area presence in the regions. In the conclusion part, the green areas were compared with the zoning norms. The sufficiency of the green areas and their differences according to the regions were evaluated. The validity of the hypotheses established at the beginning of the study was interpreted in the light of the results of the study and the effects of the green areas on the quality of life were evaluated within this context. As a conclusion, it has been seen that the improvement of green areas in terms of their spatial size is an essential factor for increasing the quality of life however it cannot be adequate only by itself. The contributions of green areas to the quality of life are established by means of the presence of green areas; the spatial relations formed between the green areas and their surroundings and the opportunities of physical and social activities in green areas. Especially, the spatial and social contributions provided by the green spaces around the residential area are effective in terms of increasing the quality of life.