Ahmad Hami, Suhardi Maulan, Manohar Mariapan, Mohammad Malekizadeh,
Volume 24, Issue 1 (6-2014)
Abstract
Abstract Urban parks are important public multifunctional space used for a wide range of activities. The usage levels of parks depend on the spatial characteristics of the spaces, where its forms and occupancies are referred as the usage-spatial relationship. Natural elements spatial complexity and park usability is of interest in this study. A photo - questionnaire was conducted among 296 of park users in Tabriz, Iran to gauge the relationship between park usability dimensions and natural elements complexity levels. The result revealed three dimensions for park usability namely social activities, passive nature activities, and nature appreciation where passive nature activities received the highest preference. The results from SEM models addressed non-significant relationship between park usability and high complexity level of natural elements meanwhile there was a significant positive relationship between social activities and moderate complexity of natural elements. A negative significant relationship of nature appreciation and positive relationship of social activities with low complex natural elements were observed. Landscape designers should avoid suggesting crowded planting areas (high complexity), which obstruct visibility in urban park and probably reduce perceived safety. It seems that water features show positive effect on people’s desire to do activities in urban park. Spatial configuration of vegetation contributed in park usability level and a safe feeling in urban park which might be necessary for future researches.
H. Shahhosseini, M. Kamal Bin M. S., S. Bin Maulan,
Volume 25, Issue 2 (12-2015)
Abstract
The importance of small urban parks (SUP) in mega cities has been accepted as an essential component of urban lung and restorative settings. As urban population in the world increases and the cost of maintaining large parks escalates, urban authorities are shifting their attention to creating and maintaining smaller urban parks. However, SUP may present a different ambience due to their location, size and visual appearence. In this regard, visual preference which is associated with spatial configuration and content of space, plays a vital role. This research examined 394 respondents’ visual preferences related to 16 SUP located in the city of Tabriz, Iran. It employed a quantitative photo survey method, based on Kaplan and Kaplan's information-processing and Appleton’s prospect-refuge theories as preselected variables by expert panels. Results indicated that mystery, as an indicator of having winding shapes of paths and expansive body of trees, was the most preferred spatial configuration of space, followed by coherence, refuge and complexity. Legibility and prospect as indicators of wide perspective and sky lines with clear focal points were the least preferred constructs. The results provide information on preferred visual configurations for SUP that may assist urban designers and landscape architects to improve their design of these specific green areas for the public.
Habib Shahhoseini, Mustafa Kamal M.s., Suhardi Maulan, Paniz Mousavi Samimi,
Volume 33, Issue 1 (3-2023)
Abstract
Small Urban Parks (SUP) are vital parts of cities that can enhance the quality of the public environment. Visual Preferences (VP) in SUPs, which consist of diverse stimuli, are affected by multisensory perception, including the combination of auditory, olfactory, and tactile stimuli. However, the relationship between sensory stimuli integration (sound, smell, touch) and people’s VP has been neglected during the design process, which can influence the assessment of an environmental aesthetic and preferences. The main objective of the present study is to evaluate how multisensory can affect the VP of visitors through textual and photo questionnaires. Structural Equations Model and Regression were studied on 394 participants, chosen from 16 SUPs located in different parts of Tabriz, Iran. Results identified the “Human and Natural sounds, Human-Body and Natural smells” as influential factors on visitors’ VP; however, touch stimuli had no significant impact. In this regard, paying attention to the visitors’ experience of Natural Sound-Smell Stimuli and the Human-body Sound-Smell Stimuli are essential in designing SUPs. The outcomes of the current research provide a guideline for city planners and landscape designers regarding the relationship between senses and their practical implications in SUPs in order to promote people’s VP and visitation.
