Urban green spaces (UGS) provide numerous benefits, but challenges in availability and accessibility often limit their full potential. This study assesses equity and disparities in car-based accessibility to Large Urban Green Spaces (LUGS > 8 ha) in the rapidly growing cities of Sulaimaniyah and Erbil in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. Road network accessibility was analyzed using OpenRouteService (ORS) and calibrated with real-time Google Maps data to improve accuracy. Google Earth Engine (GEE) was used for NDVI-based vegetation mapping and LUGS quality assessment. Isochrones based on 5, 10, and 15 min from LUGS entrances were generated to measure served areas and population coverage at citywide and zonal levels. The findings reveal notable spatial inequities in both cities, with disparities especially evident at shorter travel times. Accessibility declines from central to outer zones. Azadi Park and Sami Abdulrahman Park emerged as key service hubs. The number of LUGS active entrances, spatial distribution, and population density are among the key determinants of car accessibility to LUGS. The study highlighted the spatial-temporal suggestion for long- and short-term implementation, with opportunities for enhancement.

This study aims to investigate the influence of perceived design features of Urban Green Spaces (UGSs) on visitors' place attachment, motivation to visit, happiness, and health benefits. A cross-sectional survey design was employed, and data were collected from visitors to four UGSs in Gaza City using a systematic sampling approach. The survey instrument incorporated established items from previous studies and underwent rigorous expert review to ensure validity and reliability. The findings highlight the importance of specific design elements in enhancing UGSs attractiveness and fostering place attachment. While perceived UGSs design showed weak associations with motivation, happiness, and health outcomes, it exhibited a moderate positive correlation with place attachment. The study's implications underscore the significance of UGSs design in creating meaningful experiences and promoting a sense of belonging among visitors, informing evidence-based design practices and policies. Further research is needed to delve into the complex relationship between UGSs design, visitor experiences, and well-being outcomes.

This paper explores the perceived functions of urban green spaces and their impact on place attachment and visitor experience in Gaza City. Through a survey-based approach, participants rated UGSs on various functions and dimensions of place attachment using a 5-point Likert scale. The results revealed that UGSs were perceived to serve multiple functions, including providing a sense of escape, relaxation, community interaction, recreation, and aesthetic enhancement. However, these perceptions were, on average, below the neutral midpoint of the scale. Among these functions, the provision of a landscape and green experience ranked highest in perceived importance (proportional mean of 46.95% ).Additionally, the study found a moderate to low level of place attachment to UGSs (42.10% overall proportional mean), with place identity being the relatively most important dimension (proportional mean of 45.95%) among those assessed. The analysis also examined the relationships between perceived UGS functions and motivation, happiness, health, and place attachment. While extremely weak or negligible correlations were observed between UGS functions and reason to visit and happiness, a weak and statistically significant positive correlation was found with health (r = 0.119, p < 0.05), and a moderate and statistically significant positive correlation was found with the level of place attachment (r = 0.195, p < 0.01).These findings highlight the importance of UGSs in urban environments, suggesting that enhancing perceived functions may foster a stronger sense of place attachment among visitors. The implications of these findings for UGS management and planning are discussed, emphasizing the importance of promoting natural elements, recreational opportunities, and spaces for relaxation and community interaction within UGSs to improve their perceived value and strengthen visitor attachment.

Urban green spaces (UGS) provide numerous benefits, but challenges in availability and accessibility often limit their full potential. This study assesses equity and disparities in car-based accessibility to Large Urban Green Spaces (LUGS >8 ha) in the rapidly growing cities of Sulaimaniyah and Erbil in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. Road network accessibility was analyzed using OpenRouteService (ORS) and calibrated with real-time Google Maps data to improve accuracy. Google Earth Engine (GEE) was used for NDVI-based vegetation mapping and LUGS quality assessment. Isochrones based on 5, 10, and 15 min from LUGS entrances were generated to measure served areas and population coverage at citywide and zonal levels. The findings reveal notable spatial inequities in both cities, with disparities especially evident at shorter travel times. Accessibility declines from central to outer zones. Azadi Park and Sami Abdulrahman Park emerged as key service hubs. The number of LUGS active entrances, spatial distribution, and population density are among the key determinants of car accessibility to LUGS. The study highlighted the spatial-temporal suggestion for long- and short-term implementation, with opportunities for enhancement.