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GIS mapping and analysis of behaviour in small urban public spaces
Author(s) -
Ghavampour Ensiyeh,
Del Aguila Mark,
Vale Brenda
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
area
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.958
H-Index - 82
eISSN - 1475-4762
pISSN - 0004-0894
DOI - 10.1111/area.12323
Subject(s) - affordance , popularity , public space , computer science , coding (social sciences) , linear subspace , function (biology) , public open space , reliability (semiconductor) , geolocation , geographic information system , spatial design , space (punctuation) , human–computer interaction , geography , architectural engineering , remote sensing , world wide web , sociology , engineering , mathematics , social science , biology , operating system , psychology , social psychology , power (physics) , geometry , quantum mechanics , evolutionary biology , physics
In city centres where public space is at a premium, checklists and images of design quality attributes generated from observations of successful public spaces are increasingly being utilised in designs of new or refurbished areas. This replication assumes the success and popularity of these elements will generalise to other locations. However, the accuracy and reliability of observations in using current methods of behaviour mapping can miss important details in the small and often crowded successful public spaces. Coding of time interval photographic records of public spaces in Geographic Information System ( GIS ) is introduced as a data collection methodology for mapping and analysing behaviour. The results indicate that actualised affordance is a function of the spatial configuration of design elements with respect to the number of users, the availability of choice, climate (sun and shade), and the enclosure and exposure of design elements within subspaces. Although design elements are selected for their potential affordance, actualised affordance is defined by the configuration within which elements are embedded in a specific location.