Integration of evidence-based design approach into the design process of urban open green space

In the face of accelerating global climate change and complex urbanization dynamics, urban open and green spaces have become critical infrastructures for ensuring ecological resilience while simultaneously addressing the social, psychological, and physical needs of urban populations. The capacity of these spaces to enhance urban life quality, foster social cohesion, and support public health is increasingly recognized; however, their effective utilization remains limited when spatial design decisions fail to align with the needs, behaviors, and expectations of diverse user groups. Within this framework, the Evidence-Based Design (EBD) approach offers a systematic, data-driven methodology that integrates empirical user insights into landscape architecture and urban design processes, enabling more inclusive, measurable, and sustainable spatial interventions.This study aims to operationalize the EBD approach in the context of urban green space design, with a particular emphasis on developing user-centered spatial enhancement strategies that improve both functionality and experiential quality. The research was conducted across three major urban parks in Bursa, Türkiye—Hüdavendigar Urban Park, Erdem Saker Botanical Park, and Vakıf Bera Urban Park—selected for their socio-demographic diversity and comparable physical characteristics. A mixed-methods research design was employed, incorporating large-scale user surveys, spatial behavior mapping via Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and advanced AI-assisted visualization techniques. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS to investigate the interplay between socio-demographic factors (age, gender, socio-economic status), spatial attributes, accessibility, temporal patterns, perceived safety, and park usage behaviors. The findings reveal significant correlations between user profiles and spatial preferences, underscoring how variables such as age, gender, and socio-economic background fundamentally shape patterns of park use. Notably, young users predominantly occupy dynamic waterfront areas during afternoon and evening hours, elderly users concentrate along shaded walking paths in the mornings, and female users exhibit a preference for playgrounds and socially interactive yet secure environments. Male users demonstrate higher engagement with sports and recreational zones, while seasonal variations, particularly in winter, result in decreased overall usage.Based on these insights, the study proposes evidence-based spatial interventions aimed at diversifying functional opportunities, distributing user density more equitably, enhancing safety perception, and promoting year-round utilization of urban parks. Design recommendations include differentiated seating typologies, expanded shaded areas, targeted spatial configurations for specific age groups, and accessibility improvements aligned with universal design principles. This research advances the theoretical and practical application of the EBD approach within the landscape architecture discipline by integrating empirical user data, spatial analytics, and AI-driven visualization into a replicable and scalable design framework. The study contributes to the development of inclusive, resilient, and adaptive urban open spaces, providing valuable methodological and practical guidance for policymakers, designers, and researchers working at the intersection of urban design, public space planning, and environmental psychology.