A Study on the Effects of Public Open Spaces on Area Image Perception and Pedestrian Walking Behavior in City Centers: A Case Study of Minami Ikebukuro Park

To achieve to formulate a 'compact city', not only to move urban functions to a city center but also to make it more attractive space is required. To set up public open space is recently paid attention as one of the tools to make the urban space more attractive. This study aims to identify whether a public open space can improve the image of surrounding area and whether stopping at the public open space can facilitate people's walking behavior. A questionnaire survey in the neighborhood of Minami Ikebukuro Park was conducted, and the result of the analysis shows that public open space effects area image perception 'attachment of the area' and 'disaster safety', and whole area image indirectly. Also, people who dropped in the public open space visit more places and walk longer in the surrounding area.