Public parks are essential urban spaces that offer environmental, social, and recreational benefits. However, in rapidly growing cities of the Global South, their accessibility and attractiveness are increasingly influenced by commercialization. The challenge is clear: can parks remain inviting public spaces while sustaining their operations through revenue-generating activities?
Traditional surveys provide valuable insights into public perceptions, but they are often resource-intensive. In our latest study, we turned to an innovative approach—analyzing Google reviews—to understand how people experience Cairo’s urban parks. By using Natural Language Processing (NLP), we explored thousands of user reviews to uncover the key themes and emotions that shape park experiences. 
We focused on what people felt about parks (sentiment analysis) and how these sentiments were affected by ongoing commercialization. We paid special attention to whether commercialization influences park accessibility (a sense of being able to use parks) and attractiveness (whether people are willing to use parks because of what they offer).

A New Approach: Using Google Reviews to Understand Public Perceptions

Every day, park visitors share their experiences online, commenting on cleanliness, ticket prices, safety, and available facilities. These user-generated insights provide a unique opportunity to assess public sentiment and trends at scale. We applied topic modeling and sentiment analysis to analyze over 6,500 reviews, allowing us to extract key themes and understand visitors’ emotional responses.

What Do Users Care About?

The analysis revealed four dominant themes that shape user experiences. Many users expressed concerns about quality and maintenance, frequently discussing cleanliness, upkeep, and the state of park facilities. Another recurring theme was family-oriented activities, with visitors appreciating parks that offered diverse recreational spaces for children and social gatherings. Costs and affordability emerged as a third critical issue, as many reviews highlighted the burden of high entry fees and expensive amenities. Lastly, visitors valued the natural environment, often associating greenery, water features, and open spaces with relaxation and well-being.

While 80% of reviews conveyed positive sentiments, affordability was a major concern. Many visitors praised well-maintained parks but felt excluded due to high entrance fees and additional charges for food, photography, or parking. These financial barriers raise questions about the inclusivity of public parks, especially for lower-income families.

The Impact of Commercialization: A Double-Edged Sword?

Commercialization plays a complex role in urban parks. On the one hand, revenue from ticket sales and commercial facilities helps sustain park maintenance and enables the addition of new recreational amenities. On the other hand, higher costs exclude economically disadvantaged groups, limiting their ability to enjoy these spaces. Some parks in Cairo operate on a self-financing model, generating revenue through paid attractions. While this approach ensures financial sustainability, it also creates barriers for a significant portion of the population. Ticketed playgrounds, expensive food stalls, and additional charges contribute to rising costs, making parks less accessible to lower-income families. Given that the costs of everyday visits to parks far outweigh the costs of basic food supplies, some parks, in particular, seem to be a luxury that relatively few can afford.

Balancing Commercialization and Public Access

The findings highlight the need for urban policies that strike a balance between generating revenue and maintaining equitable access. One possible solution is to implement tiered pricing models, where low-income families receive discounted or free entry. Cities like São Paulo and Mexico City have adopted similar approaches to ensure that public parks remain inclusive. Another key strategy involves community-inclusive planning, ensuring that public spaces reflect the needs of diverse user groups. Engaging local communities in decision-making processes can lead to more sustainable and accessible park management solutions. By prioritizing participatory governance, cities can foster a sense of ownership and accountability among residents, reducing the need for heavy commercialization.

While some cities have explored public-private partnerships (PPPs), where businesses sponsor park maintenance in exchange for branding opportunities, this approach remains highly controversial. PPPs can risk transforming parks into consumption-driven spaces, normalizing corporate branding in public areas, and potentially distracting visitors from the core experience of nature. Instead, alternative funding mechanisms—such as municipal subsidies or conservation levies—could help sustain parks without compromising their public character.

Why Does This Matter for Urban Planning?

This study demonstrates that social media analytics can be a powerful tool for urban research, offering real-time insights into public perceptions. By integrating big data with traditional survey methods, urban planners can develop more inclusive and evidence-based policies for park management.

This approach is particularly relevant for rapidly urbanizing regions, where public parks face growing pressures from multiple stakeholders. As cities expand, parks must accommodate increasing recreational needs while also contending with land-use competition, infrastructure demands, and the risk of privatization. In some cases, commercial developments threaten to encroach on green spaces, reducing public accessibility. Striking a balance between commercialization and accessibility is crucial to ensuring that parks remain welcoming, equitable, and vibrant public spaces.

Rethinking Public Spaces in the Digital Age

Parks are more than just green spaces; they are social hubs that foster community interaction, physical activity, and mental well-being. Ensuring their accessibility and attractiveness requires a deep understanding of public needs, which can be achieved through data-driven insights. By turning to innovative research methods, we can navigate the complexities of urban park management and ensure that these spaces remain accessible and attractive.