A NEW TREND IN LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE: ACTIVE DESIGN AND ACTIVE PARKS

Abstract

One of the precautions that can be taken against the health problems caused by physical inactivity and communication problems caused by ageing is to increase the use of open spaces and creating the various park and recreation alternatives for the society and individuals. In this regard, well designed and programmed parks are important in promoting the physical activity and the health of the people. One of the newest landscape design trends is the "active park” which is a programmed park providing suitable environments for people to support their health and physical activities. The main objective of active parks is to provide active spaces and offer different usage possibilities as far as social, cultural, physical and recreational uses are concerned at every scale and location. Active parks, which are established offering all the necessary pieces of equipment are used by all age groups and do not distinguish between different types of parks. Active parks are participant-user oriented areas supporting public health in a society.
In this article, “active design” and “active park” were conceptually discussed and active design principles were examined. Active park design components were evaluated and their benefits were revealed in the frame of social and physical environmental formation. The components of active park design have been evaluated and their social benefits, as well as the benefits of physical environment formation, have been demonstrated. Contributions of active parks as an effective and alternative approach to urban design and the shaping of open green spaces were discussed. The importance of active park idea in case of landscape architecture has been evaluated