STUDY THE EFFECT OF GREEN SPACES AND PUBLIC SPACES IN IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF CITIES LIFE- HOLY MAKKAH AS CASE STUDY BASED ON THE URBAN OBSERVATORY INDICATORS

Abstract

Providing cities with green urban spaces should be one of the most important goals for city planners, decision-makers and urban designers. The research devised several results to assess the current situation to study urban spaces and green areas, with recommendations on designing and developing urban spaces with more green areas for the city of Makkah Al-Mukarramah. The research is utilizing urban indicators produced from the Urban Observatory of Makkah and compare them with other Urban Observatories' indicators in the Kingdom (Riyadh Observatory-Dammam Observatory-Jeddah Observatory-Taif Observatory-Buraidah Observatory. research problem: In light of the lack of interstitial spaces within the urban cluster of residential areas, the problem lies at the lack of green spaces and open urban spaces within residential areas for residents to practice various life activities. This become more complicated when it comes to areas of high value such (The central area) and the neighboring residential areas, particularly with the increase in the population density and the continuous movement of residents and visitors to Makkah. The aim of the research: Through studying the indicators of the Urban Observatory of Makkah and compare it with other urban observatories in the Kingdom With great concern to the quality of life indicators, the indices of green areas and public open places, the research aims to propose solutions that disseminate a culture of green areas and open urban spaces, besides, to shed light and direct the attention of decision-makers and stakeholders to adopt green concepts that can provide a safe and stable quality of life. Research hypothesis: Although the studies through urban observatories for urban indicators at the Kingdom for green areas and open spaces on the city level are available, these public spaces may not meet the needs of users and lacks the focus on indicators for human needs. Research Methodology: Theoretical study: The research reviews the concepts of green spaces and concepts of quality of life besides studying the goals of establishing urban areas and how to respond to human needs and accommodate the required activities and their contribution to support the concept of the quality of city life. Analytical studies: The research analyses the indicators of the urban observatory in (Makkah Al-Mukarramah) region, focusing on indicators of the quality of life and studies some open urban spaces in some neighborhoods and cities of the Makkah region to identify the needs and patterns of behavior for users in addition to the reasons leading to the use of the space or not.