Towards social sustainability in urban communities: exploring how community parks influence residents’ social interaction during the COVID-19 pandemic

Chunyan Yang (), Song Shi, Goran Runeson and Duanfang Lu
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Chunyan Yang: Southwest Jiaotong University
Song Shi: University of Technology Sydney
Goran Runeson: University of Technology Sydney
Duanfang Lu: The University of Sydney

Palgrave Communications, 2024, vol. 11, issue 1, 1-17

Abstract: Abstract The COVID-19 outbreak and associated lockdowns have heightened the challenges of social isolation in urban communities. Social interaction is recognized as a key factor in promoting people’s health, wellbeing, and social sustainability within urban communities. Public open spaces serve as a vital link between communities’ environment and individuals’ wellbeing. However, there has been limited research exploring how community parks impact residents’ social interaction in urban communities during the pandemic, particularly a lack of in-depth qualitative research in this area. To address this gap, this research investigated the impact of community parks on social interaction in master-planned communities in Sydney, using a qualitative case study method. A total of sixteen residents living in two selected communities—Breakfast Point and Liberty Grove—were interviewed during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2022. It was found that three themes and seven underlying subthemes of park-use factors influence residents’ social interactions: (1) quality of park spaces (rest spaces, BBQ/picnic recreation spaces, children’s playgrounds, sport facilities, and nature amenities), (2) pedestrian integration of parks (interconnected park network and well-dispersed small parks), and (3) pedestrian connectivity with surroundings. The findings provide theoretical, empirical, and practical implications for promoting social wellbeing and community sustainability in the post-COVID era.

Date: 2024
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DOI: 10.1057/s41599-024-04035-9

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