Multi-stakeholder and multi-benefit approaches for enhanced utilization of public open spaces in Mandalay city, Myanmar

Public open spaces (POSs) are the major core component of sustainable urban development and provide multiple benefits. However, unawareness on the benefits creates the underutilization of these spaces and the stakeholders' attention on planning and management of POS has been potentially decreased. Therefore, this research examined the potential enhancement of utilization of POSs for the case of Mandalay city from the approach of awareness on multi-benefit and multi-stakeholder collaboration while prior research had been focused on large scale open spaces and their physical requirements to attract citizens to utilize these spaces. Using DPSIR analysis, the research investigated the problems and challenges of existing conditions of POSs, and multi-stakeholder and multi-benefit analysis were used to explore the role of stakeholders' collaboration and identify the awareness of multi-benefit from POSs. The results showed that multi-stakeholder's collaboration to create good quality POSs plays a prominent role for enhancing utilization of these spaces by the public. Environmental management measures and strategies are being needed to develop from the local government and also should pay more attention on involving of target stakeholders. Further studies can apply the results for the development of multi-stakeholder government framework for POS management at the national, regional and/or local levels.