A comparative study of public green spaces in the changing urban texture in terms of preferences for ornamental plants and visual quality: The case of Bartin (Turkey)

The purpose of the present study is to identify the distribution of plant species in the urban public green spaces (UPGS's) of the urbanized area of Bartin, Turkey, and relate the make up of the vegetation to how residents perceive the open spaces both visually and in terms of green space sustainability. The study was conducted in 41 sampled areas in 18 green spaces. These UPGS's were in both old and new urban areas, and were distributed throughout the urbanized area of Bartin. The survey found there were 193 plant species from 59 families in the 41 sampled areas. Based on this survey the present comparative study of UPGS's in both older areas and newer development in Bartin (a) presents the plant species as well as their distribution by family and origin, (b) makes correlations between the socio-demographics of survey participants and their definitions of urban UPGS's, (c) evaluates the sustainability of the UPGS's (on the basis of their aesthetic, ecological, and functional properties), and (d) assesses the visual quality of the UPGSs. A questionnaire was given to 350 participants, and the findings were assessed via a correlation analysis. The findings suggested, with a reliability level of 95%, a statistically significant correlation between the socio-demographics of the participants and their preferences in the changing urban texture (p