User-Based Strategies for Enhancing the Resilience of Urban Public Parks to Public Health Crises

Abstract

This study aims to develop management and design strategies to enhance the resilience of urban public parks to public health crises. Building upon lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic and other health-related risks such as air pollution and fine particulate matter (PM2.5), the research pursued three objectives: (1) to examine users’ behaviors and perceptions of the roles of urban public parks before and after a public health crisis; (2) to investigate users’ perceptions of physical and managerial constraints of urban parks during such crises; and (3) to synthesize strategic approaches for enhancing park resilience by integrating international case studies with empirical users data. A quantitative survey methodology was employed, collecting data from 350 urban park users through Likert-scale questionnaires and open-ended questions supporting qualitative content analysis. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation, and multiple regression analysis, while qualitative data were examined to identify perceived constraints and user-generated recommendations. The findings revealed a significant decline in park visitation following the crisis. Users emphasized the importance of flexible outdoor activities, hygienic environments, and appropriate crowd-management systems. Perceptions of hygiene measures, park management practices, and community participation were positively correlated with visitation frequency, whereas several physical elements remained insufficient for crisis-responsive use. Statistical results indicated that perceived impacts of the crisis and community participation levels were key predictors influencing users’ return to parks. Based on these results, three strategic directions were synthesized: (1) integrated risk communication and crisis-responsive park management across both normal and emergency periods; (2) enhanced community participation mechanisms throughout all stages of park development and management; and (3) resilient spatial design and green-space networks that support physical distancing and activity distribution. These findings provide practical and policy-oriented guidance for local authorities seeking to strengthen urban public parks as health-supporting infrastructure capable of withstanding diverse public health crises, while ensuring equitable access to urban green spaces in the Thai context.