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1 – 10 of 564Ali Zabihi, Mina Safizadeh and Massoomeh Hedayati Marzbali
Hospital landscape is not a useless space within hospital buildings anymore. It is considered as a supportive area providing mental and physical peace. However, the planting design…
Abstract
Purpose
Hospital landscape is not a useless space within hospital buildings anymore. It is considered as a supportive area providing mental and physical peace. However, the planting design of the hospital landscape and the way it should be in order to not disrupt wayfinding performance is neglected. This paper, which is a case study, aims at investigating the effects of planting design in Kerman hospitals’ landscapes on the users’ wayfinding using space syntax techniques.
Design/methodology/approach
This research focuses on the effects of planting design on the users’ wayfinding in hospitals. In so doing, library research, computer simulation and analysis with the University College London (UCL) Depthmap software, and comparison techniques are used. Based on axial maps, the measures of integration, connectivity and intelligibility are considered for analysing the wayfinding process of individuals.
Findings
The findings show that planting configurations in the hospital landscape can affect individuals’ wayfinding. Integrated and regular planting design in addition to combining planted areas with the hospital buildings can pave the way for intelligible space and easier wayfinding.
Originality/value
According to the authors’ knowledge, the current study is the first to use the space syntax techniques in the health-care landscape architecture in terms of planting design and wayfinding. As wayfinding is an important issue in health-care spaces, the study findings can greatly help the health-care building designers and the related organizations to pay attention to the hospital landscape as much as hospital indoors.
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This paper seeks to apply a systemic approach to study human‐map‐space interactions that will benefit the design of a wayfinding map.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper seeks to apply a systemic approach to study human‐map‐space interactions that will benefit the design of a wayfinding map.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper presents a case study that was based on Van Bockstaele et al.'s sociocybernetic theory as a research framework to map study. Van Bockstaele et al.'s theory suggests that an individual's behaviour derives from a cognitive system that consists of latent (background thinking process) and patent (amplified language or action that communicates with the public) action. To observe and understand an individual's action, the observer must also consider cognitive systems. Applying this theory, the process of individuals using maps to solve wayfinding tasks within the City of Fremantle, Western Australia was observed. The study involved observing 30 international students who use three maps, each of which presents iconic, symbolic, and iconic and symbolic representations, to locate four destinations in the city.
Findings
Findings suggest that external systems such as maps and the actual environment affect an individual's latent and patent actions, while their behaviour affects the way they perceive the external systems.
Research limitations/implications
This paper addresses the complexity of systems involved in the process of an individual using maps to solve wayfinding tasks in the actual environment.
Practical implications
This study provides graphic and information designers with a substantial understanding of human‐map‐space interactions based on systemic perspectives.
Originality/value
The application of sociocybernetics is uncommon in map studies. This paper provides a link between the two disciplines.
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Wencheng Su, Zhangping Lu, Yinglin Sun and Guifeng Liu
Wayfinding efficiency is an extremely influential factor to improve users' library interior experience. However, few research has studied the different functions of various…
Abstract
Purpose
Wayfinding efficiency is an extremely influential factor to improve users' library interior experience. However, few research has studied the different functions of various wayfinding signages for university library users through mobile visual experiment. To fill this gap, the purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between university library signage system design and patrons' wayfinding behavior features.
Design/methodology/approach
In this article, an eye movement tracking method was introduced to record eye movement data during the wayfinding process of participants in the library interior, targeting the cognition and psychology of library users in the wayfinding signage system. The visual guiding usability of landmarks, informational signages and directional signages were quantitatively tested, and the fixation on the signage system between orientation strategy users and route strategy users was compared. This study also investigated the effects of library users' spatial anxiety and environmental familiarity on their fixation on the area of interest of the wayfinding signage system using the differential test and regression.
Findings
This paper observed that informational signage had the best visual navigating competence. The difference of fixation duration and searching duration between patrons used various wayfinding strategies was significant. The informational signage was most attended by the route strategy users, and the orientation strategy users rarely focused on the directional signage. And participants with high anxiety tended to ignore the visually auxiliary function of the landmarks but paid attention to the directional signage. The participants with low anxiety could capture the landmarks that could not be easily found by the route strategy users. And participants less familiar with the environment were more sensitive to the landmarks. Furthermore, this paper offers optimization measures for university library wayfinding signage system, from the perspectives of informational signage understandability improvement, directional signage physical specification design and wayfinding assistant system with automatic landmark technology.
Originality/value
This article adds to the relatively sparse literature on university library user wayfinding experimental study in China. The experimental findings of this paper also have important practical implications for academic libraries' wayfinding system evaluation. The whole process could be seen as a repeatable and standard framework and methodology to inspect university library's wayfinding signage system usability and user wayfinding behavior performance.
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Hassan Iftikhar and Yan Luximon
The efficient delivery of environmental information to wayfinders in complex environments is a challenge for information designers. Wayfinding tasks can be quite strenuous and…
Abstract
Purpose
The efficient delivery of environmental information to wayfinders in complex environments is a challenge for information designers. Wayfinding tasks can be quite strenuous and frustrating in the visual absence of dedicated wayfinding information. This study aims to explore the behaviour regarding the use of wayfinding information by navigators in complex environments.
Design/methodology/approach
An experiment has been conducted in which participants have performed wayfinding tasks in a spatially complex university campus. The participants were instructed to use the think-aloud protocol during the experiment. The behaviour has been recorded using the head-mounted video recorder (GoPro), mobile phone screen (audio\video) recorder and interview. Twelve university students have been selected based on the equal level of spatial ability using the Santa Barbara Sense of Direction scale. Each participant performed three wayfinding tasks to locate the unknown locations inside the campus using a mobile wayfinding application and other information sources.
Findings
The results of this study demonstrated significant behavioural preferences in acquiring wayfinding information. Most of the participants synthesised the static and mobile wayfinding information sources, while some preferred only the static ones. Gender differences have also been found for planning and route finding. This study recommends the syntheses of static and mobile wayfinding information for designing an efficient institutional wayfinding system.
Research limitations/implications
The sample size has been kept small because of the qualitative exploration of the wayfinding behaviour regarding the wayfinding information syntheses behaviour. The experiment findings can be further explored with larger data set and controlled behavioural metrics. This study can help understand the user requirements in facilities management for spatially complex institutional environments.
Practical implications
The current findings can be further used to develop a framework for wayfinding information designers to assist them in understanding the current practices and incorporate them for improving institutional wayfinding systems. The management of the offered facilities within an institution can be further improved to make the space more efficient by saving users’ time and efforts.
Originality/value
Information syntheses or symbiosis of environmental information with the beacon-based digital wayfinding system is a new concept. This study explores the potential of such information syntheses for enhancing the legibility of complex institutional environments.
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Hassan Iftikhar, Salman Asghar and Yan Luximon
Complex environments have a paucity of visual wayfinding information creating a strenuous situation for the new visitors. University campuses situated in the central urban areas…
Abstract
Purpose
Complex environments have a paucity of visual wayfinding information creating a strenuous situation for the new visitors. University campuses situated in the central urban areas with multi-storey structures and complex spatial layouts have poor environmental legibility. International students and visitors with diverse cultural backgrounds feel disoriented during wayfinding in these environments. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the cultural and individual differences affecting wayfinding behaviour.
Design/methodology/approach
An online wayfinding survey has been conducted through a questionnaire from 170 university students and visitors from Hong Kong and Pakistan. A five-point bipolar Likert scale has been used to evaluate wayfinding problems and ascribed behaviour.
Findings
The results enunciated a substantial influence of culture on the decision-making process and wayfinding behaviour. Critical differences have been documented based on the country of origin and native language. Individual-related differences (age, gender, spatial familiarity, education, etc.) were computed, where age and spatial familiarity being noted as key factors impacting the respondents’ opinion. Future exploration has been discussed for the pivotal elements regarding wayfinding information signage using computer simulations.
Research limitations/implications
The investigation can be further moved towards the other complex environments with fused facilities for a better understanding of wayfinding behaviour.
Practical implications
The findings can be instrumental for improved access to user facilities and can reinforce the user’s trust and dependence on the institutional facility management.
Originality/value
In the wayfinding study, no cross-cultural (individualists vs collectivists) study has been conducted in a university campus to investigate the wayfinding difficulty and ascribed behaviour, especially when the environment is unfamiliar.
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Elham Mehrinejad Khotbehsara, Hossein Safari, Reza Askarizad and Kathirgamalingam Somasundaraswaran
This study aims to explore the impact of spatial configuration on behavioral patterns of visitors in the ground floor of health-care spaces.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to explore the impact of spatial configuration on behavioral patterns of visitors in the ground floor of health-care spaces.
Design/methodology/approach
In this study, the Space Syntax analysis was used to combine visibility graph analysis and axial line analysis with empirical observation of visitors’ activities. Two types of observation methods on visitors were conducted to discover the behavioral patterns of individuals, respectively, named “gate counts” and “people following.”
Findings
The outcomes of this research revealed that the spatial arrangements of pathways, public areas, vertical circulations, entrance space, lobby, emergency department, reception desk and pharmacy have a significant influence on the way that visitors perceive the health-care environment.
Research limitations/implications
The current research is limited to two aspects of effective wayfinding (configuration of health care and geometry). Future work can investigate the other potential factors coupled with the current factor as an integrated research for enhancing wayfinding and sustaining accessibility. Another limitation is that the observation results for this study had been conducted before the COVID-19 pandemic and future studies can compare these results with the current COVID-19 situation within health care environments.
Originality/value
A large amount of research has focused on the needs of populations in developed countries. This topic has not been investigated thoroughly by professionals in developing countries such as Iran. Accordingly, this study benefits environmental psychologists and architects by revealing the effective characteristics of legible spaces in health-care environments.
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Gillian Kane, George Heaney and Stanley McGreal
Accessibility is now a major issue in the design and maintenance of housing estates. This paper considers the reasons why this issue has emerged and the main obstacles to…
Abstract
Accessibility is now a major issue in the design and maintenance of housing estates. This paper considers the reasons why this issue has emerged and the main obstacles to accessibility encountered by housing estate residents. Focusing on a mature estate in South Belfast, Northern Ireland, investigates the obstacles to accessibility experienced by the residents in order to produce a hierarchy of impacts. Residents were surveyed on a number of issues including location, roads and pavements, transportation, level change, wayfinding, safety and security, and public areas. It was discovered that obstacles relating to wayfinding created the greatest problems for residents; however, attitudes towards accessibility varied according to the age of the respondent. The study concludes that accessibility should be introduced estate‐by‐estate dependent on a resident profile in order to maximise resources and advocates the adoption of a co‐ordinated interagency approach.
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The purpose of this paper is to report on the under-representation of people with intellectual disability (ID) in Australian building guidelines. It presents a view about causes…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to report on the under-representation of people with intellectual disability (ID) in Australian building guidelines. It presents a view about causes of this under-representation and offers opinion about the current status and future actions required to redress the situation.
Design/methodology/approach
Electronic databases were searched to determine the extent of research about building access by people with ID and for references to both the historical treatment of people with ID and the nature of ID itself.
Findings
The paper suggests the recently released Disability (Access to Premises) Standards and associated building code give no specific attention to the needs of people with ID. It suggests that poor historical treatment combined with difficulties with self-advocacy may have contributed to the lack of attention given to the needs of this building user group. It also suggests the need for evidence-based research to identify and substantiate inclusion of their needs in future building regulation.
Research limitations/implications
There may be unpublished research and/or discussion covering the topic not retrievable through literature searches.
Practical implications
While much has been written about adjustments to provide access for people with physical and sensory disabilities, more attention needs to be paid to the needs of those with ID to avoid inequities in building design.
Originality/value
There is limited reference to building access for people with ID in literature and legislation. This paper adds to the literature and raises awareness of the ongoing need for greater inclusion.
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Gillian Kane, George Heaney, Ken Ewart and Billy McAlister
Based on research carried out on a mature estate in South Belfast, Northern Ireland, this paper investigates the obstacles to accessibility in order to produce an appraisal model…
Abstract
Based on research carried out on a mature estate in South Belfast, Northern Ireland, this paper investigates the obstacles to accessibility in order to produce an appraisal model for external accessibility. The study included a review of best practice, a preliminary access appraisal and resident and service provider consultation. Residents were surveyed on a number of issues including location, roads and pavements, transportation, level change, wayfinding, safety and security, and public areas. It was discovered that obstacles relating to wayfinding and traffic management created the greatest problems for residents. The resultant model will enable housing providers and managers to identify specific areas of inaccessibility and the feasibility of improving them as well as allowing comparisons between estates. It is intended to provide all agencies involved in housing with a basis for collaboration in the enhancement of accessibility.
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