Public Space Design Principles for Hot Semi-arid Climates a Case of the Urban Park at Isiolo Municipality

Abstract

Public spaces define the character of a city and are critical in determining the quality of life in urban areas; however, they face neglect. The situation is worse in hot semi-arid due to climatic restrictions. This study is on their organization at a macro level, their use, their response to climate, and their sustainability at a micro-level in Isiolo municipality, which experiences high temperatures and strong winds. The study reviews public space as an element of urban design. It views the intelligent urbanism theory, spatial index concept, and Dodoma's open space system as crucial concepts in understanding public spaces in the hot semi-arid. The study reviews the space-shaping continuum theory and the placemaking concept to highlight the usefulness of public spaces. The study reviews climatic parameters in public space design and sustainable design concepts in hot semi-arid climates. The study uses the Isiolo municipality’s development plan as a base map in preparing a GIS-based land-use plan, a public open space plan, and maps out the Urban Park. The study derives units of analysis from reviewed theories and concepts. Data is collected using questionnaires, observation checklists, photos, and focused group discussions and analyzed using tables and charts. The study finds that public spaces at Isiolo account for 6% against recommended 13% of the land use translating to 19.6m2 per person against 62m2 per person; they are uneven in distribution and are of low quality due to maintenance budget of 0.14ksh per m2 per annum. The study finds design measures for enhancing use on a scale of 1-5 as inadequate and rates them 2. The study finds design interventions in response to climate as highly inefficient on a scale of 1-5 and places them at 1. The sustainable design concepts presented are found to be appropriate and rated (4) on a scale of 1-5. The study recommends the use of public open spaces as the main organizing element in hot and semi-arid climates. The study recommends introducing activities like cultural play areas and children's play areas to enhance the use and use of water features to draw in users. The study suggests using windbreakers on the southern side, water features, lawns, and shades to enhance comfort. The study also recommends using local and new technologies to improve sustainability; like water harvesting; using water ponds, and solar energy to light the urban park. The study proposes the spatial index principle, the utility principle, the climate-responsive principle, and the sustainable design principle as the guiding principles for public spaces in hot semi-arid climates.