Humanistic scale of green urban design

Abstract

Against the backdrop of high-density urban expansion and increasingly scarce land resources, pocket parks, as miniature green public spaces, are becoming an important direction for urban renewal and green space construction in China. However, existing research largely focuses on the ecological functions and landscape aesthetics of pocket parks, with insufficient exploration of their socio-cultural significance in carrying urban green space culture which is how space carries memory, shapes behavior, and cohesive community spirit. This paper constructs a three-dimensional analytical framework based on the theory of spatial narrative, cultural memory, and environmental behavior: the accessibility of perception, the inclusiveness of behavior, and the attachment of meaning. Through a comparative study of six cases, provides a typological reference for pocket parks and their social restoration significance. The study suggests that urban green space culture is not only about grand landmarks, but also about whether or not individuals are willing to leave small, breathing spaces for each other at a very small scale. Green urban design should focus on people-centered spatial experiences under the diverse regional cultural contexts.