Transforming an Urban Void into an Ecological Public Space: Landscape Design and Implementation of Ardahan Nation’s Garden (Türkiye)

Year 2025, Volume: 9 Issue: 2, 98 - 115

Alperen Meral , Doruk Görkem Özkan , Özgür Demirci , İlknur Yazıcı

Abstract

This study presents a post-design evaluation of the Ardahan Nation’s Garden (Türkiye), examining how the transformation of an underused urban void into a multifunctional ecological public space performs in terms of ecological, aesthetic, and social outcomes. The methodological framework integrates spatial analyses, ecological performance assessment, aesthetic quality evaluation, and user-oriented observations, conducted after the project’s completion. Data were obtained from site surveys, vegetation inventories, GIS-based land-use measurements, drainage and permeability analyses, and on-site behavioral mapping. The evaluation follows the Nature-Based Solutions (NbS) Evaluation Framework and the Landscape Aesthetic Quality Index, enabling a systematic assessment of the design’s ecological functionality and visual coherence. Findings indicate that the project increased green area coverage to 61.5%, implemented over 40,500 plantings dominated by native cold-climate species, and restored natural hydrological processes through bio-swales and permeable surfaces. Ecologically, these interventions enhanced carbon sequestration potential, biodiversity continuity, and microclimate regulation. Aesthetic analysis shows improved visual legibility through topography-sensitive spatial organization, natural materials, and seasonal vegetation dynamics. Socially, the site demonstrates increased public use, accessibility, and place attachment, functioning as a socio-ecological system that supports community well-being. Overall, the study provides empirical evidence that small-scale NbS applications in severe climatic regions can generate measurable environmental, aesthetic, and social benefits, offering a transferable model for sustainable urban design practices.

Keywords

Nature-based solutions (NbS) , Ecological design , Urban resilience , Green infrastructure , Landscape aesthetics , Sustainable urban transformation

Ethical Statement

Ethical approval was not required for this study as it did not involve human participants, animals, or any data acquired through experimental methods that require institutional review according to international guidelines.

Supporting Institution

This project was financially supported by the Housing Development Administration of Türkiye (TOKİ) within the scope of the Nation’s Garden (Millet Bahçeleri) Program. The funding institution had no role in the study design, data collection, analysis, interpretation, or manuscript preparation.

Kentsel Bir Boşluğun Ekolojik Bir Kamusal Alana Dönüştürülmesi: Ardahan Millet Bahçesi Peyzaj Tasarımı ve Uygulaması (Türkiye)

Abstract

Keywords

Doğa temelli çözümler (NbS) , Ekolojik tasarım , Kentsel dayanıklılık , Yeşil altyapı , Peyzaj estetiği , Sürdürülebilir kentsel dönüşüm

Ethical Statement

Bu çalışmada insan katılımcılar, hayvanlar veya uluslararası kılavuzlara göre kurumsal inceleme gerektiren deneysel yöntemlerle elde edilen veriler yer almadığı için etik onay gerekmemiştir.

Supporting Institution

Bu proje Toplu Konut İdaresi Başkanlığı (TOKİ) tarafından Millet Bahçeleri Programı kapsamında finansal olarak desteklenmiştir. Fon sağlayan kurumun çalışmanın tasarımı, verilerin toplanması, analizi, yorumlanması veya makalenin hazırlanmasında herhangi bir rolü olmamıştır.

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