| Abstract:
Urban parks play a significant role in providing cultural ecosystem services (CES), which in turn contribute to enhancing citizens' well-being and quality of life. The present study aims to investigate and prioritize the semantic values influencing the perception of CES in Kurdish and Turkish cultural contexts of Iran, focusing on two selected urban parks (Abidar Park in Sanandaj and Mellat Park in Zanjan). The research adopts a descriptive-analytical approach. Data were collected through an expert questionnaire comprising 15 semantic indicators across five main dimensions (preservation of historical memory, usage and experience, cultural context, symbolic and semantic elements, and narrative construction). Validity was confirmed using the KMO test (0/87), and reliability was verified with Cronbach’s alpha coefficient (More than 0/7). Statistical methods, including exploratory factor analysis, Friedman test, Wilcoxon test, and multiple linear regression, were employed. The results indicated that in the Kurdish context, "preservation of historical memory" and "cultural context" held higher priority, while in the Turkish context, "usage and experience" and "preservation of historical memory" were more prominent. The analyses revealed that social interaction and narrative construction, beyond mere symbols, play a pivotal role in enhancing the sense of place and promoting cultural ecosystem services. These findings underscore the importance of urban space management with an emphasis on cultural connections and memory-making in diverse cultural contexts.
Keywords: Semantic Values, Cultural Ecosystem Services (CES), Urban Park Landscape Quality, Cultural Context, Sense of Place, Comparative Study
Introduction:
Urban parks are critical urban green infrastructures that extend beyond their recreational function to provide vital Cultural Ecosystem Services (CES), significantly enhancing citizen well-being and quality of life. However, the perception of these non-material benefits (e.g., sense of place, spiritual values, cultural inspiration) is not universal but is profoundly shaped by local cultural and semantic contexts. A significant research gap exists, with previous studies often focusing on economic valuations of ecosystem services while neglecting these nuanced cultural interpretations and the role of landscape's semantic values. This study addresses this gap by investigating and prioritizing the semantic values that influence CES perception within two distinct cultural contexts in Iran: Kurdish (Sanandaj) and Turkish-Azeri (Zanjan). Framed by the "landscape as text" concept, which views parks as "living books" narrating community identity and history, this research aims to develop a native framework for culturally responsive landscape design.
Methodology:
This study employed a descriptive-analytical approach. Data was collected through a structured expert questionnaire evaluating 15 semantic indicators grouped into five main dimensions: (1) Preservation of Historical Memory, (2) Usage and Experience, (3) Cultural Context, (4) Symbolic and Semantic Elements, and (5) Narrative Construction. The study focused on two comparable urban parks: Abidar Park in Sanandaj (Kurdish context) and Mellat Park in Zanjan (Turkish context).
Validity and Reliability: The questionnaire's validity was confirmed via the KMO test (value = 0/87), and its reliability was verified with a Cronbach’s alpha coefficient exceeding 0/7.
Data Analysis: The collected data was analyzed using a suite of statistical methods, including Exploratory Factor Analysis, the Friedman Test, the Wilcoxon Test, and Multiple Linear Regression to prioritize the semantic indicators and determine their impact on CES perception.
Discussion:
The analysis reveals that the perception of CES is highly context-specific, moving beyond a universal phenomenon to one deeply rooted in local cultural frameworks. While recreation and social interaction were fundamental priorities in both cultural contexts, significant differences emerged in the perception of subjective and spiritual dimensions. In the Kurdish context (Sanandaj), the dimensions of "Cultural Context" and "Preservation of Historical Memory" were prioritized. This indicates a deeper, more intrinsic connection to nature, spiritual heritage, and collective memory, reflecting the
strength of Kurdish cultural narratives. In the Turkish-Azeri context (Zanjan), "Usage and Experience" and "Preservation of Historical Memory" held higher priority, suggesting a focus on practical, experiential interactions with the park space. Crucially, the research demonstrates that active social interaction and narrative construction are far more influential in fostering a sense of place and enhancing CES than the mere presence of symbolic elements. This underscores the need to move beyond superficial symbolism ("symbol-centric") towards creating spaces that facilitate experience-based, culturally-grounded interactions. The findings align with prior studies in Tehran showing a high priority for recreation but a weakness in perceiving subjective CES, yet they highlight the critical importance of a comparative, adaptive approach to account for regional cultural distinctions.
Conclusion:
This study concludes that the effective optimization of Cultural Ecosystem Services (CES) in urban parks hinges on the strategic integration of semantic values, with "Usage and Experience" and "Cultural Context" identified as the most critical levers. The key implications are:
- Design must transcend mere symbolism. The presence of symbolic elements alone, without facilitating active interaction and narrative, has a limited impact on fostering a deep sense of place.
- Prioritize experience-based design. Landscape management should focus on creating flexible spaces that facilitate communal activities, memory-making, and the reflection of local social norms and public art.
- Embrace narrative construction. Parks should be designed as "living books" that integrate local folklore, oral history, and cultural stories, strengthening cultural continuity and identity.
- Adopt a culturally adaptive approach. To combat global homogenization, park design must be tailored to specific cultural contexts (e.g., Kurdish vs. Turkish), transforming them into responsive spaces that strengthen citizens' emotional connection to their intangible cultural heritage and local environment.
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