Open and green spaces of Elaziğ city examination at the neighborhood level

With the increase in urbanization, there is a need for open and green spaces. Open and green spaces determine the level of development and quality of life of a city. They meet the recreational needs and physical activities of individuals living in the city and enable their interaction with nature. The scope of this research is to emphasize the importance of open and green spaces in urban areas. The aim of this study is to conduct a neighborhood-level research on open and green spaces in the city of Elazığ, collecting numerical data and observations. The study examined the amount of green space per capita in significant open and green areas in the city center of Elazığ and at the neighborhood level, considering accessibility to the area and plot sizes. The amount of green space per capita in Elazığ was determined to be 2,6 m². The range of green space per capita for significant areas of the city was between 2575 m² and 0.4 m², while at the neighborhood level this value was between 0 m² and 28 m². While access to parks and squares is easily provided, access to recreational areas with a large amount of green space is not easily provided. The squares and parks along the streets fall below the standard plot area requirements. To improve the open and green spaces of Elazığ and bring them up to standard values, sustainable planning and implementation should be carried out in accordance with the city's open and green space regulations. The importance of open and green spaces in urban areas must be recognized. They are crucial for the city's development, prosperity, and quality of life. A large amount of green space does not necessarily mean there is enough; population size, accessibility, and the homogeneous distribution of green spaces are important factors.