Assessment and Improvement Proposals for some Parks in Khartoum and Gezira States with Reference to a Standard Park

Abstract

This study was carried out in Sudan University of Science and Technology to evaluate El Hurriya Park in Khartoum State and El Gezira Tourist Park in Gezira State with reference to Zabeel Park in Dubai Emerate. The study began in January 2019 and continued to January 2022. Research methodology include: Collection and inventory of information, field visits and questionnaire servuy. The field visits results found that the plant diversity in Zabeel Park is more than the plant diversity in both of El Hurriya Park and El Gezira Tourist Park. Also, Zabeel Park is more integrated in the architectural components and park facilities than El Hurriya Park and than El Gezira Tourist Parks. It is also found that the landscape style in El Hurriya and El Gezira Tourist Parks is formal style and in Zabeel Park is natural style. The questionnaire data was analysed by using (SPSS) program and when studying the social groups that vist the study parks the results confirmed that more than (60%) of respondents were males, more than (85%) of them are younger than (35) years and that almost (80%) of respondents were university educated and born in urban areas. Research findings showed that the two main goals for which more than (90%) of respondents visit El Hurriya and El Gezira Tourist Parks are enjoying the outdoors or nature and meeting relatives, friends and neighbors. It is also found that (63%) and (36%) of respondents in El Hurriya and El Gezira Tourist Parks, respectively, have frequent visits to the study parks, while (17%) and (38%) of them rarely visit the parks due to lack of time, lack of parks facilities, high cost of parks visit and far parks location. Assessing the importance of parks to the overall quality of life it is found that (89%) of the study parks respondents rated it as either very important or important. When investigating the current status of the study parks about half of El Hurriya Park respondents rate it as fair, while the other half rate it as either good or poor. On the other hand, (69%) of El Gezira Tourist Park respondents rated it as either excellent or good and (26%) rate it as fair. When evaluating visiting and exploiting of respondents to the study parks the overall assessment of the results revealed that the characteristics that respondents prefer larger central parks over smaller parks close to their houses and that they can get to the parks site easily are satisfied. Additionally, the overall assessment of the results revealed that the characteristics that respondents enjoy spending good times in the parks, and that they would like to visit the parks again, and more parks are needed in Khartoum and Gezira State are strongly satisfied. When evaluating the social effects of the study parks design on the local community results found that (98%) of respondents visit the parks in groups concluding that parks in Sudan are places for social participation generating community cohesion. Results stated that the overall assessment of the service dimentions in El Hurriya Park and in El Gezira Tourist Park is partially satisfied. Findings showed that the overall assessment of the environmental hazards resulting from the establishment of both El Hurriya Park and El Gezira Tourist Parks is partially satisfied. In El Hurriya Park the overall assessment of the environmental and the aesthetic effects of the park design on the local community is partially satisfied. Environmentaly, due to the fewer number of plants and the lack in shady trees. Aestheticly, the park is in lack of ornamental plants and flowering beds, lawn fields are not mowed, the park design is normal with no attractive or artestic elements and the hedges and fences are not prunned in wonderful shapes. On the other hand, in El Gezira Tourist Park the overall assessment of the environmental and the aesthetic effects of the park design on the local community is satisfied.