Promoting User Well-being in Central Business District: The Role of Sustainable Open Spaces

Abstract

Sustainable Open spaces are the heart of every community. They play a great role in connecting people with places. This connection should be considered by every urban designer and architect, especially in the Central Business District (CBD), which is the core of this study. CBDs often face several challenges such as high-density usage and limited open spaces that can serve people. This research aims to define how the design of sustainable open spaces can contribute to the physical, social, and environmental well-being of users and achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): 3 – ''Good Health and Well-being" and 11 – "Sustainable Cities and Communities". In addition to highlighting the main aspects of sustainable urban design elements and user needs for enhancing well-being. Exploring the relation between these two domains as well as identifying their elements and indicators to define the most suitable sustainable design considerations exclusively for open spaces in CBD. The research’s methodology adopts a detailed analysis of both international and national case studies, which offers a comparative and contextual understanding of open spaces in different urban settings. In addition to validating the effectiveness of this strategy through urban analysis and questionnaire for users of CBD. Together, they are all used to develop an evaluation matrix to identify the relationship between design elements and their role in transforming open spaces in CBDs to places that can enhance users’ wellbeing and achieve sustainability goals. The research proves that well-designed sustainable open spaces can serve as vital components in healthy urban environments, significantly contributing to the overall quality of life and satisfaction of individuals in CBDs.