Evaluating the cultural and educational open public spaces in order to form cyberparks (Case study: Mashq Square, city of Tehran)

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Department of Urban Design, Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning, University of Art, Tehran, Iran

2 Department of Technology of Architecture, Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning, University of Art, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Introduction:

One of the emerging technologies in the formation of smart and sustainable cities is Cyberpark, which gives people the ability to enhance their quality of life, especially to improve the technological and social interactions in various fields (cultural, educational, etc.), through the sharing of knowledge and experiences, self-fulfilling and ultimately co-creating. In this way, considering the nascent concept and application of Cyberpark, recognizing and developing this type of project requires a deep scrutiny of its existential elements. Therefore, the main purpose of this study is to investigate and analyze cultural and educational open public spaces in order to form Cyberparks in the Mashq square of Tehran as a case study. The research framework has been developed in this research, using meticulous and systematic analysis of previous research in the form of libraries and documents about the features and dimensions of cyberparks. Then, through a quantitative method, while collecting data and analyzing them, the relationship and the impact of stakeholders' satisfaction with the quality of equipment and facilities of open spaces studied on the activities formed by users in these open spaces are investigated and according to the three dimensions of Cyberparks (public open spaces, stakeholders, and new information and communication technologies) have been studied.

Methodology:

For this purpose, Mashq Square, Tehran, has been selected as the case study and data is collected in the field through an online questionnaire survey that explored students’ views and behaviors towards university public open spaces. Then, using the quantitative analysis method and SPSS statistical software and also with the help of a case study strategy, data analysis was performed. In order to improve the validity of the research, first, a pilot study (30 questionnaires) is conducted, and then the main questionnaire is prepared.

Results and discussion:

During the research, various dimensions such as the quality of the university's public open spaces, the qualities and facilities available in the university's public open spaces of the university, student social life, and the social interactions taking place in relation to information and communication technologies, the degree of willingness to cooperate in the design and maintenance of public open spaces of the university, daily use of information and communication technologies and the kind of them in the public university spaces and the quality of information and communication technologies have been explored. In the statistical analysis, with the help of t-test and according to Pearson coefficient (correlation test), correlation levels, the forming dimensions of "Cyberpark" with each other and the indicators of each dimension have been tested separately. The findings emphasize the enthusiasm and high willingness of stakeholders (university student) to participate in matters related to the university public space. In addition, the quality of the public open space of Bagh-e Melli campus in the University of Art is strongly related to its facilities and has a strong correlation with the social life of students (related to the use of information and communication technologies). On the other hand, students' need for the development of information and communication technologies in the open space is positively assessed and reflects the preferences of stakeholders for the application of technologies, which is important in the formation of "Cyberpark" in the university public space.



Conclusion:

Overall, the results indicate that in planning for the development or improvement of communication infrastructures, taking into account the goals of users of information and communications technology and considering the age groups of users in this field will have the greatest impact on the realization of creating a specialized educational Cyberpark and promoting the participation of stakeholders. This research is one of the first scientific steps in the field of specialized Cyberparks and has focused more on examining the differences, and it is hoped that further research in this area will shed light on the reasons for these differences, which will certainly be of great help to planners and decision-makers of public open spaces within the city, especially university officials in expanding ICT infrastructure and facilities to create a specialized Cyberpark, especially in the educational field and university environments.

Findings show that from the point of view of stakeholders, the quality of open public space studied, in terms of sports facilities and games and entertainment facilities, equipment and service space and comfort facilities, facilities for access to communication technologies and facilities and infrastructure of Internet and telecommunication network, is generally not very satisfactory. Therefore, to develop the dimensions of cyberpark in this area, it is necessary to develop the relevant facilities, equipment and infrastructure to be able to provide the necessary basis for the realization of cyberpark by upgrading related activities.

Keywords

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Sustainable city
Volume 6, Issue 2
August 2023
Pages 39-5

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