The Need for Advocating Regional Human Comfort Design Codes for Public Spaces: A Case Study of a Mediterranean Urban Park

Though widely acknowledged, climate change and global warming considerations are poorly integrated in landscape planning practices. Exploring this matter, the paper analyses the design of a contemporary urban park in Jaffa, Israel, investigating why climate considerations are so poorly addressed. The analysis focuses on the various competing parameters such as social use, design, political considerations and community desires that influence the planning process as well as the park experience. Results confirm a paradox. Though climate conditions are highly acknowledged, and aggravation in heat stress and discomfort conditions are well known in this region, planners and users alike prefer to suspend them in favour of image and aesthetics. Responding to these results, the paper discusses possible venues for further integrating climate considerations into landscape planning.