Evaluating urban square management success: A model for urban public spaces in Istanbul

Abstract

Urban public spaces, particularly city squares, play a critical role in fostering community interaction, enhancing socio-cultural well-being, and contributing to the overall cultural value of a city. Effective planning and management of these squares are essential to ensure accessibility, functionality, and inclusivity, thereby enabling them to serve as dynamic centers for social engagement and urban life. Prior research has often neglected the public's perspective in square planning and management. Thus, this study aims to develop an Urban Square Management (USM) success score model to assess the effectiveness of urban squares planning from the public's perspective. Initially, expert evaluations of relevant criteria were conducted using the Interval Type-2 Fuzzy Analytical Hierarchy Process (IT2F-AHP), chosen to address the uncertainties and subjective judgments inherent in expert assessments. The resulting weighted criteria formed the basis for a user questionnaire. A total of 157 questionnaires were collected from visitors at Uskudar Square in Istanbul, a recently redesigned public space. The data underwent Exploratory Factor Analysis to identify key factors and refine the model's structure. Applying the developed USM model to Uskudar Square resulted in a success score of 70.2, providing an overall evaluation of the square's management performance. Crucially, the model allows for a detailed analysis of the constituent sub-dimensions contributing to the total score, such as accessibility, safety, maintenance, amenities, social activity, and environmental quality. This granular perspective enables urban planners and managers to identify specific areas requiring improvement and implement targeted interventions to enhance the overall quality, usability, and public satisfaction with urban squares.