Assessing the quality of public urban green spaces in Uganda secondary cities: a case study of Gulu city

Abstract

This study assessed the quality of the existing public open spaces in Gulu City. The study was guided by three objectives which included establishing the indicators of quality of open spaces existing public open, examining critical challenges faced when planning and designing for green public open spaces and identifying recommendations for strategic proposals and planning tools to guide in planning and designing of green open spaces. The study used a cross-sectional descriptive research design where both quantitative and qualitative approaches were used with a sample size of 100 respondents. Data was collected using questionnaires and interview guide. The study findings revealed that quality public open spaces should draw users and makes a place more captivating and inviting, safe and accessible to the public anytime at no cost, quality public green open spaces should be noise free, offer an enjoyable user experience and should provide adequate provision of children's facilities in the green open spaces. Major challenges encountered when planning and designing for green public open spaces were inadequate funds to acquire land for public green urban spaces, encroachment on existing public green spaces and poor maintenance of existing public green open spaces were the major. The study revealed that Central Government and City Council should acquire more public open spaces, residential and institutional zones should be improved by planting more flowers, grass and trees. City authorities should revise and enforce some of their land use management regulations to ensure that all new developments cater sufficiently for green spaces to correct past mistakes