Perception of Landscape and Enhancement of Cultural Ecosystem Services in Urban Green Spaces: A Case Study of Tehran’s Parks
摘要
Cultural ecosystem services (CES) encompass the intangible benefits that individuals derive from the environment, contributing to their overall well-being. Landscape design, through its transformation of the environment, plays a crucial role in shaping these services. Despite numerous studies on CES, there is a clear lack of knowledge regarding the influence of perceived landscape characteristics on users’ experiences in urban parks; this study was conducted to examine this relationship in order to inform improvements in park design based on users’ perceptions and needs. This research adopts a descriptive-analytical approach. Following a systematic review of the relevant literature, a questionnaire was developed based on validated indicators that capture various dimensions of CES and landscape perception. A total of 400 park visitors were surveyed through stratified random sampling to represent the park user population. The validity of the questionnaire was confirmed through exploratory factor analysis, and its reliability was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha coefficient. To prioritize CES, the Friedman test was applied, and multiple linear regression was used to analyse the relationship between landscape perception and CES benefits. The findings show that users primarily value parks for recreation and social interaction, while aspects such as sense of place and inspiration are less frequently experienced, indicating potential areas for design improvement. Perceived landscape features, including naturalness, complexity, vegetation diversity, scenic variety, climatic comfort, and seasonal awareness, appear to enhance the enjoyment of CES. These insights provide practical guidance for urban park design that better aligns with users’ perceptions and needs, contributing to multifunctional green spaces and improved well-being.