Search results
1 – 10 of over 75000Hani Alahmed, Wa’el Alaghbari, Rahinah Ibrahim and Azizah Salim
This paper aims to investigate the ways that could enhance residents’ social interaction in low-rise residential building neighbourhoods of Basra city in Iraq. The lack of social…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to investigate the ways that could enhance residents’ social interaction in low-rise residential building neighbourhoods of Basra city in Iraq. The lack of social interaction among residents of Basra city prompted the authors to frame a strategy for this case study.
Design/methodology/approach
The spatial design characteristics of low-rise residential building neighbourhoods implicated to support the residents in terms of social interactions in comparison to those exhibited by a single home and traditional neighbourhoods. The statistical data demonstrated that by using this strategy, several unique features of secured, collective, responsive and supportive spaces could enhance the residents’ social interaction.
Findings
This study found that all collective space factors have a significant influence on social interaction. “Fostering proper proximity and accessibility” factor was ranked first and the most significant factor with an influence on social interaction. Secured spaces (hierarchical spatial structure, physical security supports and construct) have a significant influence on social interaction. The most interesting finding in this study is that all factors of the supportive spaces construct have a significant influence on social interaction. Finally, this study showed that two factors of the responsive spaces construct, increasing variety and increasing legibility, have an insignificant influence on social interaction.
Originality/value
The design of low-rise residential building neighbourhoods in Basra city may be used to develop social interaction as the contributing factor for maintaining values of traditional neighbourhood communities. This study highlights certain recommendations for architects, especially urban designers, to reinforce residents’ social interaction in low-rise residential building neighbourhoods in Basra city.
Details
Keywords
Jessica Burshell and Will Mitchell
Studies of the social construction of markets have not determined which social environments, which we refer to as proximate social space, are most likely to trigger social…
Abstract
Studies of the social construction of markets have not determined which social environments, which we refer to as proximate social space, are most likely to trigger social construction processes. We find that U.S. nonprofit fiscal sponsors respond to greater potential for category emergence when proximate social space is defined by geography but not by market segment. Further, in addition to responding to potential claimants based on geographic peers, organizations also respond to actual claimants based on peers in the market segment. The pattern suggests that geographic social proximity triggers initial label claiming, which in turn triggers responses from market segment peers.
Details
Keywords
Sascha Naomi Jansz, Terry van Dijk and Mark P. Mobach
The purpose of this paper is to create an overview of current literature and identify gaps in what is known about stimulating interaction through spaces and services provided on…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to create an overview of current literature and identify gaps in what is known about stimulating interaction through spaces and services provided on university campuses.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors used the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) statement methodology for systematic literature review. In total, 3,616 articles were screened, 31 articles were included. Facility Directors from 13 Dutch Universities were asked to define the search terms related to services.
Findings
Spaces and services were mostly studied separately. The majority of papers (18/31) were based on perceptions (surveys or interviews). The following critical success factors were identified in the literature: geographic proximity, cognitive proximity, scale, transitional spaces, comfort and experience, shared facilities and events, local buzz and networks. These factors are interrelated. The authors present a new relational model, from spaces and services, through interaction to innovation, visualising how the identified papers are related.
Research limitations/implications
The scope of possible findings may have been narrowed because prior relevant studies were rather limited and as a consequence of the search strategy designed to limit the number of unrelated hits. Some knowledge gaps may not have been identified, as only a few mainstream concepts related to the critical success factors were used for comparison. Nevertheless, the literature review provides a reliable overview of current academic knowledge regarding critical success factors for spaces and services that stimulate interaction on campuses.
Originality/value
This paper offers a novel perspective by emphasising the relational chain from interaction to innovation, visualising the large diversity in research fields and summarising the critical success factors in the literature.
Details
Keywords
Nigel Oseland, Alexi Marmot, Felicity Swaffer and Sophia Ceneda
This paper aims to share recent research to inform the design and facility management community on how to design and operate offices that enhance interaction, creativity and…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to share recent research to inform the design and facility management community on how to design and operate offices that enhance interaction, creativity and ultimately innovation.
Design/methodology/approach
A two‐year applied research project was conducted which involved a literature review followed by field studies. Surveys conducted in the offices of five diverse organisations piloted new methods for investigating interaction, termed WorkWareCONNECT.
Findings
Key findings include: more meetings occur in office buildings with more meeting space; on average meeting rooms are used 37 per cent of the time; the quantity and quality of space is important but does not overcome organisational factors; much creative thought takes place alone.
Research limitations/implications
Conducting fieldwork in the real world has its limitations. For example, only five organisations were surveyed and therefore the results may be considered by some not to be representative. However, the paper considers that the data collected in real offices are realistic and valid.
Practical implications
The research resulted in a calculator for determining meeting room numbers and sizes, a system for prescribing the best media for interaction, design guidelines for interaction spaces, and guidance on the etiquette of successful meetings.
Social implications
In the current economic climate many organisations focus on reducing costs and under‐cutting competitors. However, it is innovation that gives businesses a competitive edge and innovation starts with good interaction and creativity.
Originality/value
The recommendations are drawn from both the design and management communities. The research has resulted in practical advice to facilities managers, designers and the business heads.
Details
Keywords
Ecem Kara and Dilek Yildiz Ozkan
Social interaction has a vital role in the healthy development of children. Growing up without a family for children – who are called “children in need of protection” (CNP) in…
Abstract
Purpose
Social interaction has a vital role in the healthy development of children. Growing up without a family for children – who are called “children in need of protection” (CNP) in this study – can cause developmental disorders. Social interaction with their peers and with society is important for their well-being, as well as for the whole society. So, for the good of both, more appropriate and supportive living environments should be produced. In this study, the authors will try to answer the question: How do environmental factors affect the social interaction of CNP in outdoor spaces within a village-type settlement?
Design/methodology/approach
A children's village is chosen as the case area since the children's village typology provides a strong relation between indoor and outdoor spaces. Data are gathered through the review of visual and written materials and systematic observation in order to analyze the issue in a natural setting.
Findings
The output of this study underlays the effects of location, layout and characteristics of residential areas at the neighborhood scale, as well as the spatial, physical and functional factors at the singular-space scale. The intentional social function of the space was found to be the strongest factor in enhancing social interaction.
Originality/value
There are no adequate studies focusing holistically on environmental factors in outdoor living spaces, including spatial, physical and functional dimensions, that affect the social interaction of children in need of protection.
Details
Keywords
Mohammad Paydar and Asal Kamani Fard
Promoting social interaction contributes to social sustainability in the urban setting. And, legibility is one of the key qualities of successful urban places. This research aims…
Abstract
Purpose
Promoting social interaction contributes to social sustainability in the urban setting. And, legibility is one of the key qualities of successful urban places. This research aims to examine the impacts of legibility and the quality of seating areas on the level of engagement with place as well as social interaction.
Design/methodology/approach
The levels of social interaction in different public spaces of the selected neighbourhood were observed. On this basis, the neighbourhood park and neighbourhood entry plaza were selected. A sample of 234 people was determined and a quantitative approach was used to examine the objectives.
Findings
Inhabitants were more interested in passive engagement with place. Certain cultural and spatial attributes contribute to enhancing social interaction. Legibility was poorly recognizable especially due to the weak level of visibility. The quality and quantity of seating area provision as well as visual connectivity are to be improved so that the legibility as well as the social interaction enhances. Finally, the implications in regards the prospect-refuge theory were described.
Originality/value
Promoting social interaction has been less regarded by urban planners and policy makers in the context of Asian cities. In a historical context with a mix of native-born citizens and immigrants, where different types of crime exist and it suffers from illegible structure in its different parts, understanding the urban design interventions of engagement with place as well as social interaction is an important subject. Policy makers may apply these findings to improve the positive social interactions in such residential neighbourhoods.
Details
Keywords
The rapid change in the context of urban housing and the spatial organization of contemporary houses caused the alteration and elimination of spaces that met the social needs of…
Abstract
Purpose
The rapid change in the context of urban housing and the spatial organization of contemporary houses caused the alteration and elimination of spaces that met the social needs of residents for centuries. With the advent of multistorey flats, houses became denser and interactive areas became more limited and were gradually eliminated. Therefore, these changes caused the loss of interaction among occupants and social stability in today's residential complexes. Accordingly, the purpose of this paper is to improve interactions between residents and raise the level of social sustainability in residential complexes by reviving the lost interactive spaces and meeting the social needs of inhabitants.
Design/methodology/approach
In this paper, that is, applied research, the library method and a questionnaire have been used to conduct the study. The questionnaire consists of 13 questions categorized based on five hypotheses.
Findings
Existing public open spaces between the blocks of residential complexes are not efficient enough to raise the interaction between residents because of some problems such as difficult access for middle and upper floors, lack of separate territories and spaces, lack of proper control and supervision and lack of privacy and security.
Practical implications
This paper can be helpful for researchers, designers and mass builders in the field of housing to pay attention to the social needs of occupants, as the basic needs of humans, and improve the quality of interactive spaces by realizing their problems and shortcomings.
Originality/value
This paper tries to improve the quality of interactive spaces based on the social needs of residents to increase the level of interaction between dwellers and creates social sustainability in the residential complexes.
Details
Keywords
Luciana Teixeira de Andrade and Luís Vicente Baptista
The authors begin the chapter with the contemporary discussion on the crisis of public spaces and use a Simmelian regarding to focus on two dimensions of this debate. First, the…
Abstract
The authors begin the chapter with the contemporary discussion on the crisis of public spaces and use a Simmelian regarding to focus on two dimensions of this debate. First, the meaning of the thesis that argues the death of the public areas of large cities. Then, the relevance of the category public spaces, using the diversity of types of spaces and types of interaction that are associated with and try to show why they cannot be reduced and homogeneously represented. Hence, from research conducted in Brazil and Portugal, the authors illustrate the various dimensions of public spaces with examples of conflicts and appropriations from its everyday uses.
Details