• International Journal of High-Rise Buildings
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.137-154
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• 2019

Singapore has seen a phenomenal and an unprecedented transformation from a swampland to a high density urban environment since its independence in 1965, made possible largely and single-handedly by the sustained efforts of its government. Indeed, urban space is a key vehicle for achieving urban social, environmental, economic, and cultural sustainability. The dense urban context in Singapore has seen an emergence and increase in elevated spaces in the form of sky-gardens, sky-bridges and sky-courts in a range of building types, seemingly seeking to tie together the different horizontal and vertical components of the city. This paper, therefore, examines the effectiveness of elevated urban spaces and pedestrian networks in Singapore and their ability to contribute to the horizontal to vertical transitions, and consequently to the urban vitality and accessibility. It does this through the analysis of two key developments: Marina Bay Sands and the Jurong Gateway. In particular, it considers the implications of certain constraints placed on urban spaces by their inherent location at height, in addition to the familiar privatization of public spaces, over-management of spaces, and their somewhat utilitarian characteristics. The paper argues that some of these issues may pose detrimental effects on the publicness of these spaces that in turn may lead to such spaces being underused and therefore adding redundancies and further stress to Singapore's urban land. Finally, the paper outlines key strategies that may help overcome the aforementioned issues, including the disjuncture associated with elevated spaces such that they may become a seamless extension of the urban spaces on ground.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.267-276
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• 2019

Elevated linear parks have the potential to support the ecological stability, city amenity, cultural opportunity, and health benefits of urban dwellers; these are increasingly becoming an integral part of the urban infrastructure. Due to structural limitations in space, linear parks need to be planned to increase the value of green space. This study was aimed at advancing urban planning techniques for increasing the value of elevated linear parks, by comparing the Seoullo7017 with the Promenade $plant{\acute{e}}e$ and the Highline. Planning characteristics of these green spaces were analyzed from the perspectives of physical planning factors, amenity values for users, and management systems. Field surveys and virtual tools were used to investigate the current characteristics of these parks, in addition to the literature survey. From the analysis of planning factors, amenity values, and management in the three linear parks, following important recommendations were made in order to promote the values of these parks: (a) diversify planting design for increasing the diversity of green space in a narrow area; (b) bring in various forms of amenities to promote the quality of users' experience; and (c) establish community-based management systems for enhancing regional competitiveness and profit sharing in urban regeneration projects.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.62-74
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• 2010

This study aims to examine what factors citizens value in urban parks and green spaces in terms of usage and aesthetic value and to find ways to deal with the changing patterns of user satisfaction for these various green elements. To achieve this, the study developed a dynamic model employing a transactional approach to evaluate environmental quality for 1999 and 2007 in Anyang City as well as a conceptual model of parks and greens satisfaction. This study relied on an empirical study method including the 1999 and 2007 green conditional survey and citizen questionnaires totaling 573 in the year 1999 and 982 in the year 2007. As a result, first, the factor 'urban parks' is the most important factor and 'cityscape' is the second most important factor in parks and greens satisfaction(PGS). Second, PGS in turn causes environmental quality satisfaction(EQS), which is related to two items--'urban livability' and 'aesthetic quality'--in the model. This means that PGS is the intervening variable of urban livability. Third, the factor analysis resulted in six factors: cityscape, urban green, linear facilities, urban parks, riverside green, and urban forest. 'Riverside green' emerged as a factor in 2007 as a result of public participation in the 'Anyang River Revitalization Project'. Fourth, through a transactional view, the environmental changes result in either a change in or stability of public attitude. The levels of satisfaction were elevated but patterns of satisfied-unsatisfied items remained unchanged for most factors. The perception of riverside a greenway and linear surface facilities(pedestrian walkways, biking and jogging trails, etc.) have changed positively. PGS changed significantly in 2007, as a result of urban events and development, including parks, rivers and greenways which were built through the joint effort of the local government and civic participation.