Strategies for Small Public Space to Reclaim Urban Green

Abstract

Small public urban green space is a category of urban public space characterised by its abundant quantity and widespread distribution. In many cities, like Karaköy in Istanbul, rapid development and privatisation are impacting city dwellers' well-being and ecological health. Over the years, the current state of urban green spaces in the city are declining. We believe these small public spaces need to be reclaimed and prioritised. Through this paper, we aimed to illustrate how even small public spaces can be transformed to green space. We conducted literature review and employed Jan Gehl’s observation. Our findings suggest innovative solutions maximising the usability of existing spaces, by integrating adaptable design concepts that promote community engagement and enhance aesthetic appeal within sustainable parameters. Keywords: reclaiming green space, community health, public spaces, small space, privatisation impact.