Social interaction in urban park: A systematic analysis of design attributes and behavioural outcomes

Abstract

Urban parks play an essential role in fostering social interactions and community cohesion. This systematic literature review analyses how design attributes of urban parks affect social interactions and delineates the resulting behavioural outcomes. We conducted a rigorous search of the Scopus database for empirical studies published from 2015 to 2025, using keywords such as urban parks, social interaction, landscape design attributes, and quality design. Studies were selected for inclusion if they had clear empirical relevance to park design and social interaction. Major themes identified include spatial configuration, facilities and amenities, natural aesthetics, multi-sensory factors, perceived safety and accessibility, and cultural context. The findings reveal that integrated spatial layouts, accessible pathways, inclusive amenities, visually diverse natural elements, sensory-rich environments, strong safety measures, and culturally resonant features all enhance park usage and social interactions. Multi-sensory design elements, clear sightlines, universally accessible amenities, and culturally meaningful landscapes emerged as especially important for encouraging robust community interactions. Overall, this review demonstrates that thoughtful, inclusive park design can profoundly shape urban social dynamics and highlights critical priorities for policy and design improvements. Future research should explore the long-term socio-cultural impacts of park design, undertake comparative international studies, and apply advanced analytical techniques to optimize park planning. These insights underscore the importance of comprehensive, culturally aware urban design in fostering vibrant, inclusive communities.