Evaluating the Behavior of Littering in Public Spaces within Different Theoretical Approaches

Public spaces are an important resource for the continuity of community life. However, it should be borne in mind that this resource is not unlimited. While public spaces offer equal rights of use to the whole community, the responsibilities for the maintenance and protection of these areas do not constitute a direct legal obligation for individuals. This situation paves the way for the spread of behaviours that create disorder and pollution in public spaces, such as littering. Littering is a multidimensional phenomenon addressed differently across disciplines, which makes it difficult to evaluate existing studies within a holistic framework and to identify effective solutions. This study aims to develop a comprehensive conceptual framework by comparatively analysing how littering behaviour in public spaces is addressed within environmental criminology, vandalism, and environmental psychology. In doing so, the study synthesizes fragmented literature and clarifies the boundaries, focal points, and explanatory approaches of each discipline. Based on this synthesis, the study proposes an integrated perspective for defining littering behaviour in relation to physical environment, individual factors, and its legal status, and for developing more effective prevention strategies.