Investigation of Urban Squares through the Biophilic Design Approach: A Comparative Analysis of Adapazarı City Square and Train Station Square
Abstract
Biophilic design is a nature-based approach that aims to strengthen the instinctive connection between individuals and nature. This study comparatively evaluates the compliance of City Square and Station Square, located in the Adapazarı district of Sakarya province, with the principles of biophilic design. Survey data based on expert opinions were statistically analysed. The results showed that Station Square has a higher biophilic potential, particularly with regard to plant diversity and natural landscape features. It also demonstrated stronger performance in indirect nature experience components, such as nature representation and design complexity. However, both squares exhibit only partial compliance. This study contributes to the evaluation of urban landscapes in light of biophilic principles, suggesting a practical framework for nature-integrated designs that enhance user comfort.
Keywords
Biophilic design, nature-based design, public spaces, urban landscape design, Adapazarı
Ethical Statement
The article complies with national and international research and publication ethics. The Ethics Committee approval required for this study was obtained with the decision of the Sakarya University of Applied Sciences Ethics Committee dated 13.12.2024 and numbered E-26428519-050.99-152659.
Thanks
The authors would like to thank Orhan Karakaya for his contributions to the statistical analyses performed in the study and Rana Uzun for her contributions to the English translation check of the article.
References
- Akyıldız, N. A. (2023). Biyofilik tasarım konulu lisansüstü tezlerin bibliyometrik analizi. Kent Akademisi, 16(2), 879-904.
- Aslan, D. (2014). Kent ve meydanlar. İTÜ Vakıf Dergisi, 63, 20-24.
- Atalay, H. (2008). Deprem durumunda kentsel açık ve yeşil alanların kullanımı: Küçükçekmece Cennet Mahallesi örneği (Master's thesis). İstanbul Teknik Üniversitesi Fen Bilimleri Enstitüsü, İstanbul.
- Atalay, N. (2010). Urban square: a critical approach within the concepts of "public" and "aesthetics” (PhD thesis). İstanbul Teknik Üniversitesi Fen Bilimleri Enstitüsü, İstanbul.
- Bağbaşı, G. (2010). İstanbul kent meydanlarının peyzaj mimarlığı ilkeleri açısından irdelenmesi: Sultanahmet, Beyazıt, Taksim, Beşiktaş, Ortaköy Meydanı örneği (Master's thesis). Bartın Üniversitesi Fen Bilimleri Enstitüsü, Bartın.
- Beatley, T. (2016). Handbook of biophilic city planning & design. Island Press.
- Browning, W.D., Ryan, C.O. & Clancy, J.O. (2014). 14 Patterns of Biophilic Design. New York: Terrapin Bright Green, LLC. https://www.terrapinbrightgreen.com/report/14-patterns/
- Cabanek, A., Zingoni de Baro, M. E. & Newman, P. (2020). Biophilic streets: a design framework for creating multiple urban benefits. Sustainable Earth, 3(1), 1-17.
- Clason, D. L. & Dormody, T. J. (1994). Analyzing data measured by individual Likert-type items. Journal of Agricultural Education, 35(4), ss. 31- 35.
- Cogley, B. (2018). Plant-filled spheres open at Amazon headquarters in Seattle. Access Address (30.01.2018): https://www.dezeen.com/2018/01/30/plant-filled-seattle-spheres-open-amazon-headquarters/