• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
• /
• v.40 no.3
• /
• pp.42-50
• /
• 2012

City squares are public open spaces which are closely related to the peoples daily lives. Most squares are located in the center of the city, and they are usually used for community gatherings and they are suitable for open markets, music concerts, political rallies, and other events. City squares also play an important role as a grand public place operating in multi functions that require involvement of more people. The purpose of this study is to examine satisfaction on the spatial components, characteristics, and the user satisfaction in City Squares. The slady also analyzed the relationship between the satisfaction about spatial components, characteristics and it also shows that the user satisfaction is followed. This study sites are made in 3 grand public places in the center of Seoul including the Seoul plaza, Cheonggye Plaza, and Gwanghwarnun Square. Data were analyzed using several statistical methods such as descriptive statistics, factor analysis, ANOVA, correlation and regression. Results of the study are as follows: First, factor analysis carried out to extract the various factors of satisfaction on the sites; spatial components, usability, amenity/security, and spatial characteristics. User satisfaction concerning usability factor was higher than the satisfaction of the other factors. This result represented that the slady sites play an important role to the public open spaces in the city. Second, users showed high user satisfaction to study sites, and user satisfaction rate toward the Gwanghwarnun Square is the highest because of its facility planuing. Finally, user satisfactim was strongly correlated on the usability factor of spatial planning. Also, the significant correlations between the user satisfaction and the other factors such as spatial components, security, and spatial characteristics of spatial planning are presented. Results of this study can help guide the planning and management of the city square as a public open space based on the understanding of user perception and satisfaction.