From empty to empowering: Leveraging vacant land for urban socio-ecological resilience

Urban vacancy, often seen as a challenge, offers unique opportunities for ecological and social enhancements in cityscapes. This study explores the role of small green spaces in urban resilience, particularly in high-density metropolises, through a social-ecological lens. We began with a critical review to develop and validate a questionnaire, drawing on theoretical frameworks and confirming the derived criteria with twenty-two experts. Key resilience attributes identified for urban landscapes included flexibility, efficiency, activity, connectivity, and diversity. Utilizing the Best-Worst Method (BWM), we discerned the most and least significant of these attributes. The study then employed Hierarchical Bayes analysis via XLSTAT software to analyze questionnaire responses (n = 386, 60.36% female) and calculate the part-worth utility and importance ratings for each attribute. Results highlighted water presence, high tree density, and activity areas as vital attributes for small urban parks. These insights are crucial for landscape architects, emphasizing attributes that enhance park visitation and usability. Additionally, the innovative methodological approach of this study offers a new pathway for research in urban planning and the built environment.