Pocket Parks in Informal Settlements - Potential for Egyptian Cities
By Noha Ahmend Adbel Aziz - IFLA Africa June 2024 Newsletter
Parks have long been recognized as major contributors to the physical and aesthetic quality of urban neighborhoods; they provide social, economic, and environmental benefits to the community. However, providing quality parks and recreation space in high-density, especially in informal neighborhoods is increasingly challenged by the limited amount of available space and funds. In many mega cities as in Cairo, the population is increasing, and land value is rising. Expansion of residential and commercial uses has resulted in the loss of green areas and created pressure against providing new open green spaces in those cities.
In response to the preceding, a new type of open green space has been developed in high-density areas, where standard neighborhood parks cannot readily be provided. This type suggests converting abandoned, irregularly shaped, unused areas into what are being called pocket parks. Pocket parks, also known as mini-parks or vest-pocket parks, are urban open spaces at a very small scale. Cooper Marcus & Francis 1997, defines a pocket park as one that serves up to a four-block radius, with most of the users coming from within a one-two-block radius.
The concept first popped up in Europe after World War II, where pocket parks were built due to the scarcity of available resources; then a major push towards pocket parks began in the 1960s in North America. Nowadays, different institutions and policymakers strive to increase the green area provision in cities through pocket parks. One promising attempt is London's major pursuit to create 100 ‘pocket parks’ launched in 2009, also the efforts of "The Park Association of New York City" which fosters the creation of pocket parks in New York City. Additionally, the city of Copenhagen's strategy to implement 14 pockets as part of a larger vision to become the greenest capital city in the world.
The reduced costs associated with pocket parks made them very attractive to communities and provided their residents with a little oasis of tranquility and relaxation.
Figure 2 Gallery Garden Park in Marshalltown, Iowa, USA (Source: Snyder & Associates(2024)
Pocket Parks
Pocket parks are not all the same; they could include various elements starting from a couple of seats up to equipped playgrounds. The location, the size of the park, and the needs of the local community shape the park's design.
Commonly, the pocket park will accommodate decorative plantings, benches and tables, shade shelters, lawn terraces and trees, garden beds, picnic tables, colorful playgrounds or a small half-court, and fountains. It may also include equipment designed for elderly users, community gardens, art sculptures, edible herbs, fruit trees, or even a dog park.
Several factors may double the benefit of such a small area: for example a research team from the University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine has found that distressed neighborhoods where vacant lots have been converted into small parks and community green spaces are associated with reduced crime, more exercise, improved perceived safety, lower rates of health complaints and better mental health when compared to neighborhoods with unimproved vacant lots. In addition to the social benefits, pocket parks also can provide ecological benefits hosting small ecosystems and alleviating the urban heat island complications.
Proposing Strategies
So what would pocket parks look like in the Egyptian context? and what is stopping us from implementing the concept in deprived neighborhoods from open green spaces? Well, the idea of the pocket parks exists partially in the streets of informal neighborhoods in a spontaneous organic matter, although it lacks green spaces and site furniture, social activities are present and tailored to the local community’s needs. This is the starting point for local authorities and landscape architects which they can build on.
Kodak Passageway, image source: Cairo Urban Initiatives Platform
Closed-end streets and neglected spaces with easy and safe access can be transformed into multi-functional spaces, which could be used by different age groups, hosting a kid's playground that is protected by natural surveillance and constructed with affordable recycled materials (tyres/sand/wooden boxes). In addition, a space for teens to meet near the main street and a separate space for young girls or housewives to socialize and even cook (an extension of their limited residential unit). When selecting trees one must consider the space available, in narrow and deep spaces, shade trees are not required, as the buildings create enough shade.
Selected plants should require low maintenance and herb gardens can be placed to benefit the locals. Colorful ground covers are recommended to be planted in the raised planter to protect them and add color to the space. Another important issue is the land ownership, funding, and maintenance of the pocket park project. In informal settlements, streets are public and therefore easy to utilize while plots are privately owned which would require financial compensation from local authorities (Mahaliat). Additionally, NGO’s can play a fundamental role in supporting such projects and involving the local community in the design, implementation, and maintenance process to achieve successful diagnosis, design, execution, and evaluation. A successful plan includes flexible decisions and avoids scenarios where the project is defined and solved exclusively by “experts." Public involvement would create a sense of belonging and stewardship and would motivate locals to protect their new park.
Moreover, it is essential to have efficient coordination and create a common agenda, with cross-cutting objectives, that takes into account all stakeholders, as well as all possible beneficiaries and potentially affected populations. Finally, pocket parks are a promising tool that landscape architects can utilize to insert more public recreational spaces into our crowded cities enhancing the quality of life for the communities around them.
Kodak Passageway, image source: Cairo Urban Initiatives Platform
References
Cooper Marcus, C and Francis C. (1997) People Places: Design Guidelines for Urban Open Space. John Wiley & Sons
Ming, L. (2014)," Investigating the Small Public Urban Open Spaces at High-density Cities: A Case Study of Hong Kong", Master thesis in Sustainable Development, Uppsala University, Sweden.
LeFlore, A. (2012), "Increasing Urban Open Space through Pocket Parks", Master thesis, Urban and Environment Policy and Planning Department, Tufts University, Massachusetts, USA.
Shirley, A. (2013). The Possibility of Converting Available Spaces into Pocket Parks in Urban Settlements in Indonesia. Journal Eco-Teknologi UWIKA, Volume 1, p. 1-6.
Smith, B. (2005). Recreating a Successful Neighborhood Pocket Park -A Proposal For Mandaville Court Park. Master thesis in Urban and Rural Planning, Dalbousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
Snow, M. and Kenton, A. (2013). Parameters Contributing to The Design of a Successful Urban Pocket Park. 29th Conference, Sustainable Architecture for a Renewable Future, Munich, Germany.
Snyder & Associates(2024) Pocket Park Creates Relaxing Spot for Marshalltown Business District
Triman, J. (2012). Pocket Park Research: Small Public Urban Green Spaces, In Copenhagen. Denmark, Biophilic Cities Project, Retrieved September (2015) from http://biophiliccities.org/pocket-parks-research-small-public-urban-green-spaces-spugs-in-copenhagen-denmark/
Walker, C. (2004)," The Public Value of Urban Parks", The Wallace Foundation. USA.
Walzak, W (2021).Placemaking in Pocket Parks: Sustaining Authenticity in Urban Neighborhoods