In the heart of Indonesia, a city is reimagining its green spaces, and the implications could ripple through urban planning and the energy sector worldwide. Bojonegoro, a city in East Java, is at the center of a study that could revolutionize how we think about urban parks and their role in sustainable city development. The research, led by Milla Kamilatuzzahroh from Universitas Brawijaya, delves into the priorities of urban park functions, using a sophisticated analytical method to determine what truly matters in creating and maintaining these vital green spaces.
Kamilatuzzahroh’s study, published in the journal RUAS, employs the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) to analyze the provision of urban parks in Bojonegoro. This method helps to determine the priority of various functions and supporting factors in park development. The findings are clear: budget availability and socio-cultural functions are the top priorities. “Budget availability allows for routine maintenance, such as garden upkeep, facility repairs, and waste management,” Kamilatuzzahroh explains. “This ensures that parks can be maintained in accordance with service standards, providing a high-quality experience for visitors.”
But why should the energy sector care about urban parks? The answer lies in the broader implications of green open spaces. Urban parks play a crucial role in mitigating the urban heat island effect, reducing energy consumption for cooling, and improving air quality. By prioritizing budget availability and socio-cultural functions, cities can create parks that are not only beautiful and enjoyable but also environmentally sustainable.
The study’s findings suggest that investing in urban parks can yield significant commercial benefits for the energy sector. As Kamilatuzzahroh notes, “The availability of the budget provides a solution for improving the quality of city parks as public green open spaces in accordance with service standards.” This improvement can lead to reduced energy demand for cooling, lower air conditioning costs, and a healthier population, all of which have positive economic impacts.
Moreover, the socio-cultural functions of parks, such as providing spaces for recreation, research, and social interaction, can enhance community well-being and foster a sense of belonging. This, in turn, can lead to increased property values, attracting more businesses and residents to the area, and stimulating economic growth.
The research by Kamilatuzzahroh and her team at Universitas Brawijaya is a call to action for cities worldwide. By prioritizing budget availability and socio-cultural functions in urban park development, cities can create green spaces that are not only enjoyable but also environmentally and economically sustainable. As we face the challenges of climate change and urbanization, this approach could be a game-changer in the quest for sustainable urban development.
The study, published in RUAS, which translates to ‘Path’ in English, indeed points to a path forward for cities seeking to balance growth with sustainability. As we look to the future, the lessons from Bojonegoro could shape the development of urban parks and green spaces around the world, creating cities that are not only livable but also resilient and sustainable. The energy sector, in particular, stands to gain from this shift, as the benefits of urban parks extend far beyond their immediate surroundings.