ارزیابی و تحلیلی بر میزان دسترسی‌پذیری فضاهای سبز کلان‌شهر ارومیه از لحاظ چیدمان فضایی

ABSTRACT
In today’s fast-paced world, urban green spaces are considered calm and vital shelters for residents. However, access to these shelters is a more complex narrative than their mere existence in the city. With the aim of deciphering the role of spatial layout in access to urban parks, this paper examines and analyzes four frequently visited parks in the Urmia metropolis. This study uses a quantitative-spatial methodology that uses library resources and satellite images to collect data. Spatial configuration indices (connectivity, selection, and integration) were used to evaluate access to four frequently visited parks (Egg Park, Forest Park, Guller Baghi Park, and Ellar Baghi Park) in Urmia. AutoCAD software was used to prepare and process the data, and Depth Map X software was used to analyze the data. The results show that access to urban parks in Urmia is not uniform. Egg and coastal parks enjoy higher accessibility due to their central, strategic location, diverse surrounding uses, and strong communication network. In contrast, forest parks suffer from lower accessibility due to their remote location, lack of proper transportation infrastructure, and being surrounded by residential uses. As a key element, spatial arrangement plays a decisive role in the equitable distribution and easy access to green spaces. Considering this component, steps can be taken to improve the quality and equity of access to parks for all citizens.
Extended Abstract
Introduction
Cities are dynamic hubs that respond to diverse societal needs, spanning residential, economic, welfare, and recreational dimensions. With more than half the world’s population living in urban areas, cities significantly shape the global economy. However, rapid urbanization has led to environmental challenges such as pollution, inappropriate land use, and habitat destruction. Urbanization has particularly encroached on green spaces once rich in natural biodiversity. Today, cities are characterized by high concentrations of human activity, changing natural landscapes, and an overall decline in the quality of life. To counter this trend, urban planners emphasize creating and maintaining urban green spaces, which are vital for ecological balance and social well-being. Throughout history, urban planning has recognized the importance of green spaces for recreation and ecological balance, a concept reiterated in modern urban planning agendas. However, despite the recognition of the benefits, there is still inequality in city residents' access to urban green spaces. Access depends on factors such as the size of green spaces, proximity to residents, physical barriers, awareness, and lifestyle. These disparities challenge the achievement of healthier and more sustainable cities. Tackling these inequalities requires understanding the spatial layout of access routes to key urban green spaces. This research in the city of Urmia seeks to examine the status of access to urban green spaces, identify factors affecting inequalities, and propose strategies to improve them. The main research question revolves around assessing the spatial layout of access routes to key green spaces in Urmia. This research seeks to provide direction for urban green space planning in Urmia by analyzing access throughout the proposed development phases, emphasizing equitable access for all residents.
 
Methodology
This study uses library resources and spatial data analysis to investigate the accessibility of selected urban parks and green spaces. Using Google Earth, satellite images within a radius of 500 meters were extracted to obtain up-to-date data. AutoCAD and Depth Map X software were used to analyze urban network patterns and axial lines. Also, a color difference approach was used to interpret the maps and assess the selected spaces' attractiveness, integration, and axial connectivity. With a population of 727,370, Urmia city has only 0.29 square meters of green space per person, far below the recommended 2 to 4 square meters. However, this study analyzes their spatial layout by analyzing four popular parks as Egg Park, Forest Park, Ellar Garden, and Guller Garden.
 
Results and discussion
Despite the low per capita green space in Urmia (only 0.29 square meters), the case parks act as vital urban oases, attracting visitors and enriching the social texture of the city. They provide recreational and entertainment opportunities, act as central places, and provide essential services to local residents and visitors. This study used the central place theory to understand their hierarchical structure; the egg and coastal parks cover a wider population due to their better connection and integration with the surrounding context and communication network. Urban morphology theory was also used to analyze the street patterns and land use distribution around the parks. Parks surrounded by mixed uses, such as the egg and coastal parks, scored higher on spatial layout indices, indicating their accessibility and dynamism. In contrast, the forest park, which monotonous residential users and natural barriers mainly dominate, faces access restrictions. The findings and conclusions of this study confirmed the spatial injustices in third-world cities such as Urmia, which are exacerbated by neoliberal policies and rapid urbanization. The political economy approach was chosen as the theoretical support approach to analyze spatial injustices related to access to urban green spaces in Urmia, and this approach emphasizes the right to the city and equitable access to urban spaces. However, Urmia, like many cities in Iran, struggles with economic and social inequalities in access to green spaces, which leads to the continuation of cycles of exclusion and environmental degradation. Overall, the results and findings from the study of spatial layout indicators in the parks showed that the low quality of access to green spaces, lack of infrastructure, and access barriers have caused problems for citizens, especially marginalized communities in Urmia city, around the forest park. By identifying these issues, this study emphasizes the need for comprehensive urban planning and fair distribution of green infrastructure to reduce spatial, social, and economic injustices in cities.
 
Conclusion
This article helps to understand the complexities of this issue by analyzing the spatial layout of access routes to green spaces in Urmia city. The findings of this study indicate the inappropriate distribution of access routes to parks across the city, which is very important for urban sustainability. Despite Urmia's limited per capita green space, parks act as vital hubs. Egg Park and Beach Park have a special place due to their better connectivity and integration with the urban texture. However, Forest Park faces accessibility challenges due to its remote location and lack of transportation infrastructure, which emphasizes spatial inequalities. Street patterns, land use, and physical barriers play an important role in Urmia's distribution and access to green spaces. Urban planners can use these findings to improve access to green spaces for all residents, with greater quality and equity. Overall, this discussion can pave the way for further research on access to urban green space in other cities worldwide.
 
Funding
There is no funding support.
 
Authors’ Contribution
Authors contributed equally to the conceptualization and writing of the article. All of the authors approved thecontent of the manuscript and agreed on all aspects of the work declaration of competing interest none.
 
Conflict of Interest
Authors declared no conflict of interest.
 
Acknowledgments
 We are grateful to all the scientific consultants of this paper.