Developing sustainable and liveable neighbourhoods: the role of public open spaces

摘要

Neighbourhoods are designed to be liveable and, most times, sustainable. In doing this, neighbourhoods are designed for single density, mixed use or compact where the various land uses are to complement one another. Public open space is an essential land use of a neighbourhood. The study aims at highlighting the role that public open space plays in making neighbourhoods sustainable and liveable. The study employed a descriptive research method whereby some layouts were visited, their public open spaces and effects noted and literature on sustainability, public open spaces and liveable neighbourhoods were appraised. The study showed that public open spaces have a very significant role in making these layouts liveable and sustainable such as calming effects on pollution, lowering of urban heat island and could also be used for green infrastructure.