Investigating the effects of the COVİD-19 pandemic on the use of urban open space: Example of Trabzon

In addition to causing a major public health crisis in the world, the Covid-19 pandemic has come across as a disaster that affects every area of life at certain levels. In this study conducted specifically for the province of Trabzon, it was investigated whether people's preferences for using urban open spaces vary in connection with the restrictions imposed within the scope of the Covıd-19 pandemic process and measures. In this purposes of study, data were obtained by conducting observations in 7 different urban areas determined in the city of Trabzon and an online survey application with the participation of 157 people. In the results, it was found that the Covıd-19 pandemic had a significant impact on the use and perceptions of urban parks compared to non-epidemic periods. It has been determined that sociodemographic characteristics have an impact on the use and perceptions of urban open spaces. In addition, during the epidemic period, it has been determined that town squares, coasts and green areas have a social function, historical areas have socio-cultural functions, pedestrian streets have a psycho-social space function, children's spaces have a physical space function. This study is a local detection and evaluation study; its findings are qualified to help understand the importance of urban open spaces and implement measures to increase the quality and quantity of urban open spaces in the city of Trabzon.