Green landscape design has emerged as a novel and forward-looking strategy in addressing the complex environmental, social, and economic challenges of contemporary urban environments. This approach requires a systemic, integrated, and multi-level framework capable of adapting to the evolving and context-specific needs of urban communities. The present study aims to develop a comprehensive evaluation framework for green landscape design by conducting a comparative analysis of five exemplary international case studies. These include Houtan Park in Shanghai (China), Superkilen Park in Copenhagen (Denmark), Maggie Daley Park in Chicago (USA), BeltLine Westside Park in Atlanta (USA), and the Kashiwa-no-ha Smart City Green Park in Japan. The selection of these projects was based on the diversity of their geographical locations, climatic conditions, and design approaches, which collectively enabled a meaningful and robust comparative analysis. Using a qualitative content analysis method, the study identifies key dimensions that contribute to effective green landscape design. These include environmental sustainability, social inclusivity and participatory engagement, climate adaptability, enhancement of users' psychological well-being, and reinforcement of ecological functions. The primary outcome of the research is a consolidated three-column framework that categorizes elements into “Design Objectives,” “Evaluation Indicators,” and “Implementation Strategies.” This framework serves not only as a practical guide for landscape architects, urban designers, and policymakers, but also as a decision-support tool for future planning and design initiatives.
Importantly, the proposed framework facilitates the real-world evaluation of green landscape projects, emphasizing participatory design processes, integration of natural systems, and flexible design strategies that respond to shifting environmental and human needs. The findings of this study suggest that adopting a systemic approach in landscape design can support strategic decision-making across policy, planning, and implementation levels. Furthermore, the framework offers a conceptual and operational basis for guiding urban landscape interventions in Iran and other countries with similar urban and ecological challenges.
The study concludes by recommending future empirical research aimed at validating the proposed framework across a range of socio-cultural and climatic contexts. Such validation would enable the localization and contextual adaptation of its components, thus enhancing its applicability and relevance in diverse urban settings around the world.