University botanical gardens as public urban spaces: comfort and social attractiveness in the case of Kyiv
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Green public spaces play a key role in shaping a sustainable urban environment, maintaining ecological balance, improving the microclimate, and positively influencing the physical and mental health of city residents. Botanical gardens function as multifunctional public spaces, combining educational, recreational, ecological, and social functions. The study employs the case study method, observation, functional zoning, and cartographic analysis. The article focuses on examining the botanical garden as a multifunctional urban public space in the context of its spatial and functional organization, current challenges of use, and opportunities to enhance comfort and social attractiveness. It was found that the O. V. Fomin Botanical Garden simultaneously performs research, educational, and recreational functions, serving as a center of biodiversity, an object of historical and natural heritage, and a space for public interaction in the central part of Kyiv. Functional and spatial zoning of the botanical garden was carried out based on visitors’ activities. The intensity of pedestrian flows within the garden was analyzed for both weekdays and weekends. Problems related to the improvement and functioning of the botanical garden were identified. Practical solutions are proposed for the renewal of the botanical garden space, integrating ecological, educational, and social aspects of development. It is determined that the realization of the potential of botanical gardens requires their purposeful integration into academic programs, financial support, and strategic planning.
Authors: Y. Zhyrova, N. Provotar
Language: Ukrainian
Subfield: Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7116708267