Frederick Law Olmstead Concluded

Published Date: 02 Nov 2017

Introduction

Quality of a park is influenced by the length, frequency and character of visits. (Burgess et. al., 1992 cited in Abdul Malek et. al., 2011) concluded that quality is about people and attitudes. Hence, safety is one of the vital aspects in designing a park in order to improve the management of a park. This chapter is an overview of the study on the importance of outdoor facilities in creating a safe urban park. In Section 1.1 research backgrounds on designated study are presented. Problem statements are discussed in Section 1.2. Subsequently, the research questions are listed in section 1.3. In Section 1.4, the aim of the research is presented whereas explanation on the objectives of this study is in Section 1.5. Next, the scope and limitations of this study are clarified in Section 1.6. In Section 1.7 the research methodology of this study is discussed. In Section 1.8 is the thesis structure. Lastly in Section 1.9 is the summary of the study is presented.

Research Background

Rutledege and Monar (1986) defined park as "a pleasure garden where masses unable to flee overcrowding, disease and foul air, could find near their home a bucolic agrarian environment". It is explained that park is a place where people could feel tranquil, calm and safe while surrounded by the natural environment.

Frederick Law Olmstead concluded that urban park is defined as "a naturalized passive retreat". Today, urban park is emerging as one of the most significant spaces in the urban fabric. Thus, the functionality of an urban park plays an important role in serving the urban community needs, improving the quality of urban life and also enhancing the image of the city. Besides that, parks keep the children occupied with healthy activities and promote bonding (The Star, 2012)

As the urbanization grows, the crime rate grows parallel with the development. In consequence, the percentage of an individual to feel safe and secure is declining day by day which resulted less number of park visitors. Therefore, the social ties between the visitors of urban parks are in decline due to increased crime rates in parks, poor maintenance and management and dysfunction of park facilities. According to Jim Hilborn, (2009, p.5) A safe park is described as a park where the spatial design and maintenance work simultaneously so that the visitors perceive the park as a safe place, desires to go to the park frequently, and spends their optional time in the park occupied in outdoor activities. In order to design a park, there are several important elements that should be highlighted such as design spaces, maintenance and management and park facilities. A park’s facility is important as it is to allocate needs and facilitate the community. Moreover, good facilities management can be the eyes and ears of these respective parks in terms of cleanliness, maintenance and park protection (The Star, 2013)

For that reason, this study attempts to emphasize the importance and contribution of outdoor facilities into creating a safe urban park. This study is carried out with a case study of Taman Tasik Permaisuri.

1.2 Problem Statements

The problem statement is focusing more on the issues of this study on the relationship between the facilities management and how the visitors perceive the park as safe. "… proper design and effective use of the built environment that can lead to a reduction in the fear and the incidence of crime, and an improvement in the quality of life." (Jeffrey, 1971). In his statement, he explained that good spatial design and successful management of building facilities helps in reducing the number of crimes. In this context, a good park design and proper facilities provided could help in reducing crime and creating a safe park at the same time. Due to its function in providing outdoor recreation, it is important to have proper and friendly facilities. In some parks, the design of the facilities is only due to its aesthetic features apart from the standard guidelines. These facilities are only serving for the aesthetic value rather than providing facilities that should follow the standard guidelines.

Besides that, some of the facilities are not well facilitate due to poor facilities maintenance and management. It is important to connect the aesthetical aspect and the functionality of the outdoor facilities as it is the main element that attracts park visitors. According to an article in a local newspaper, The New Straits Times (Premanathini, 2012) he concluded that the authority should regularly monitor the park and see if there is any need to upgrade the park. Referred to Wekerle and Whitzman, (1995) cited in Abdul Malek and Mariapan, (2009), which explained that some urban parks have become ‘hot spots’ of crime due to poor maintenance and management. This shows the importance as to why parks should be monitored to avoid any bad circumstances.

Therefore, the study is focusing on the effectiveness of facilities management in creating a safe urban park.

1.3 Research Questions

The following are the research questions identified in the study:

1. How does the facility support the proposed function in an urban park?

2. What are the facilities required in an urban park?

3. What kind of facilities suitable in an urban park?

1.4 Research Aim

This research is to study the safety guidelines in creating a safe park through variations of design facilities, management, maintenance and usage.

1.5 Research Objectives

There are several objectives listed to achieve the aim and goal of the study, as then to be precise:

To understand the functionality of a facility in an urban park.

To identify the typologies of facilities and requirements.

To identify the suitable facilities and their importance in an urban park.

1.6 Research Scope and Limitations

The scope of study is referring in the context of an urban park of Taman Tasik Permaisuri. This study focuses on the importance of outdoor facilities and its contribution in creating a safe park. Outdoor facilities are one of the main elements that required in achieving the main purpose of a park. These facilities are usually located in different spaces of a park. The research is focusing on the existing facilities at Taman Tasik Permaisuri and its site context.

Due to limitations of duration and site location, the topic study has its own limited research. The time duration given is only for two months period. And as for the location of the scope study, the research area for the surveys and observations findings will be only conducted at Taman Tasik Permaisuri. The selected respondents are park visitors.

1.7 Research Methodology

Methodology is required in order to achieve the objectives or goal of the research. The approaches of data collection can be categorized into two which are the qualitative data and quantitative data.

Qualitative Data include observations, interviews and case studies.

Observations: A process to view the existing condition of the facilities. The purpose of the observation method is also to observe on how the users utilize or use the existing facilities and their attractions. Based on John Zeisel in his book title Inquiry by Design, there are four qualities of method in observation which are empathic, direct, dynamic and variably intrusive. Some of the method will be applied in different time lapse in order to get different perspective on the people behavior towards outdoor facilities. The process is more towards visual perceptions.

Interviews: A process where there will be an interaction or communication between the researcher and park visitors. The interviews will be conducted during the field trip to Taman Tasik Permaisuri. The purpose of conducting an interview is to get more information on the study topics from different angles and perspective.

Case Study: A case study has been chosen to improve the knowledge on the topic and also to differentiate the circumstances but in the same application. The case study will be conducted thoroughly in order to collect more information on the characteristic, background study, how to apply the guidelines, safety requirements and many more.

Quantitative Data include questionnaires and surveys.

A set of questionnaires or surveys will be distributed to 30 respondents within the selected park and its site context. The list of questions will be focusing on the topic study. The questions are basically based on the literature review study and also on self opinion regarding on the matters. The collected information from the questionnaires or surveys will be analyzed in chapter four.

1.8 Thesis Structure

The research is divided into five chapters. Chapter one is the study on the introduction of the research. Literature review on the topic is presented in chapter two. In chapter three, research methodology is explained whereas research findings on the analysis, synthesis and result are in chapter four. Lastly, chapter five represents the conclusions and recommendations of this study.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Research Backgrounds, Aim, Objectives, Problem Statement

CHAPTER TWO

LITERATURE REVIEW

CHAPTER THREE

METHODOLOGY

Quantitative Data

Qualitative Data

CHAPTER FIVE

CONCLUSION

Suggestions & Recommendations

CHAPTER FOUR

DATA ANALYSIS

Research Findings

Contents of Chapter 1

1.9 Summary

The effectiveness of facilities plays an important role in creating a safe and secure park for the users. This chapter gives general understanding regarding the study on facilities management, the importance of facilities in an urban park and facilities requirement. The importance of the outdoor facilities should be highlighted in order to provide a sustainable park and also to provide the human needs in that selected park.

This chapter introduces the framework of the study methodology. Literature review on this study will be carried out in the next chapter.