The Role of Urban Morphology Design on Enhancing Physical Activities and Public Health

Along with environmental pollutions, urban planning has been connected to public health. The research indicates that the quality of built environments plays an important role in reducing mental disorders and overall health. The structure and shape of the city are considered as one of the factors influencing happiness and health in urban communities and the type of the daily activities of citizens. The aim of this study was to promote physical activity in the main structure of the city via urban design in a way that the main form and morphology of the city can encourage citizens to move around and have physical activity within the city. Functional, physical, cultural- social, and perceptual-visual features are regarded as the most important and effective criteria in increasing physical activities in urban spaces based on literature review. The environmental quality of urban spaces and their role in the physical activities of citizens in urban spaces were assessed by using the questionnaire tool and analytical network process (ANP) of structural equation modeling. Further, the space syntax method was utilized to evaluate the role of the spatial integration of urban spaces on improving physical activities. Based on the results, the consideration of functional diversity, spatial flexibility and integration, security, and the aesthetic and visual quality of urban spaces plays an important role in improving the physical health of citizens in urban spaces. Further, more physical activities, including motivation for walking and consequently, the sense of public health and happiness, were observed in the streets having higher linkage and space syntax indexes with their surrounding texture

Habitual Habitation

This abstract presentation will set out a series of observations and precedents related to the relationships formed between humans and the evolving spaces of personal habitation. The work discusses the prospect of future interlocking and divided spaces that humans use for the process of habitation in both the work and the domestic context. The four key design considerations outlined within this relationship are the arrangement of habitation (design), the occupation of that space (purpose), inhabitation of space (user interaction) and the duration of use (space longevity). Some of the main themes that are discussed are the processes of human habitation, why it occurs, the evolving nature of that habitat and the development of habitat for a defined purpose. The presentation will examine a range of particular, purposeful and peculiar human habitat spaces and use them to explore the interactive relationships between humans and the spaces that are created for specific functions e.g., work, leisure and utility. The typography of human habitation is also explored and critiqued to establish a clear picture of the current and future frameworks in which designers, clients and design users are / will be considering interior space. There is also exploration of how human behaviours differ in space that has been specifically created for a purpose and the realities of actual human use and occupation. There is also exploration of the way certain types of interior spaces influence and often dictate human behaviour. This is then reviewed and a future construct is suggested about human behaviour changing and fragmenting according to the surrounding space. A review of the interior designers role in this construct is identified with examination of spatial tactics and external forces within this process. Does interior design hold the key to future human living and working behaviours? Finally, a future habitation hypothesis is presented along with a review of Peter Sloterdijk and Henri Lefebvre’s suggestions and definitions of “Home” and “Habitus” which helps to synthesise some future ideas on interior design and habitation

The changing patterns of architectural design education

Digital technologies have been introduced to students of architecture for over two decades and at present it could be argued that students are producing some of the highest quality designs, and some of the most interesting forms ever to come from University Schools. The value of computer aided design (CAD) is also being demonstrated in architectural practice, with high profile, large budget, bespoke and iconic buildings designed by internationally renowned architects. The value of computer aided design (CAD) is also being demonstrated in architectural practice, with high profile, large budget, bespoke and iconic buildings designed by internationally renowned architects. This paper reviews the changing patterns of architectural design education and considers the contribution digital technologies could make to buildings with more commonplace uses. This paper reviews the changing patterns of architectural design education and considers the contribution digital technologies could make to buildings with more commonplace uses. The study offers a perspective on different kinds of buildings and considers the influence that emerging technologies are having on building form. The study offers a perspective on different kinds of buildings and considers the influence that emerging technologies are having on building form. It outlines digital technologies, alongside students application for architectural design and considers the role they could play in the future, in developing a shared architectural language. It outlines digital technologies, alongside students application for architectural design and considers the role they could play in the future, in developing a shared architectural language. It is suggested that some of the biggest opportunities for future research will be in the design of external spaces, often a neglected part of architectural design education. It is suggested that some of the biggest opportunities for future research will be in the design of external spaces, often a neglected part of architectural design education

Building sustainable learning environments that are ‘fit for the future’ with reference to Egypt

Perhaps there is no building type that has a more significant impact on our lives than the Kindergarten to high School (K-12). We continue to carry the memories of our early learning environments through the residue of our lives. It is the quality of those learning environments that play a crucial role in enhancing or hampering our learning experience. Learning spaces are complex spaces where the collective skills, knowledge, and practices of a culture are taught, shaped, encouraged, and transmitted. Comfortable/safe and creative learning spaces can inspire and motivate users, while ugly/unsafe spaces can oppress. Based on these two attitudes, the aims of this paper are to; firstly, developing Sustainable learning environments (SLE) in the Middle-East countries with reference to Egypt. Secondly, to reviewing and extending the planning and design of the internal, external and landscaping features of a proposed eco-class to collectively pass to the learners for enhancing the quality of learning space and thus education. After the Egyptian Revolution on the 25th of January, 2011 and the hopes and dreams this brings with it, for a major transformation in all life sectors, the Egyptian government needs to recognise the right of children and young people to learn in an environment which is safe, healthy and achieves the highest quality possible. We must all be committed to improving the quality, attractiveness and health of the learning and communal spaces in our schools. Environmental factors have significant effects on pupil and teacher wellbeing. In contrast, poor school and classroom design can affect concentration, creativity and general well-being; in addition, poor quality lighting, ventilation, acoustics and furniture all have a negative effect on student achievement and health. Nowadays, Egypt endure deterioration of education quality as a result of deficient learning spaces, high number of pupils in class, insufficient governmental expenditure and funding, and lack of proper research in education developmental strategies. Therefore, new learning spaces should be able to increase flexibility in order to support hands-on and outside-class learning activities. Furthermore, they intend to encourage extra-curricula activities beyond conventional learning times. Currently, these integral learning-components are crucial for socio-cultural sustainability and positive initiatives towards minimizing recent educational underachievement. Undoubtedly, comfortable, safe and creative learning spaces can inspire and motivate users, while ugly/unsafe spaces can depress. Therefore, well-designed learning spaces are able to support creative, productive and efficient learning processes on one hand. On the other hand, ecological design measures became increasingly major keystone for modern sustainable learning-spaces. Thus, learning-spaces’ design process, form, components, materials, features, and energy-saving technologies can generate well-educated, environmental-literate, energy-conscious, and innovative future-generations. (Continued

“Something to talk about” Exploring open source design spaces

Open source projects are dynamic environments where individuals and organizations collaborate to accomplish mutually beneficial design tasks. Open source designers utilize different design spaces, including discussion spaces (where conversation happens) and implementation spaces (where work happens) to complete design tasks. To investigate the relationship between discussion spaces, implementation spaces, and the completion of design tasks in open source projects, this research explores design as it occurs in organizational-communal open source projects under the umbrella of the Linux Foundation and focuses on design processes of three projects – Kubernetes, GRPC, and Zephyr. Design tasks - that include discussion spaces linked to implementation spaces - are successfully completed at a higher rate, than those with no link. This research demonstrates that the discussion space - implementation space relationship plays a key role in open source design processes

The Role of Colours in Interior Design of Liveable Spaces

Colors play a crucial role in interior design, as they contribute to the aesthetic appeal, psychological and physiological well-being, and personal expression within a space. This paper provides a brief analysis of the three primary color components used in interior design, exploring their basic implications and variations. It also addresses common challenges in color application and investigates the employment of colors in various interior design spaces. Despite the undeniable importance of color in interior design, it is often overlooked during the initial design process. Colors serve as a universal visual language, influencing our lives and conveying meanings worldwide. Interior design heavily relies on color schemes, as they are the key ingredient for expressing emotions and creating visual impact within a space. The combination of colors, lighting, and shades in interior design allows for clear interpretations and connotations. Furthermore, the study of color has expanded through the development of modern psychology; influencing fields such as architecture, interior design, urban planning sand marketing. Even Swiss psychologist Carl Jung associated the four temperaments with specific colors: sunshine yellow, earth green, cool blue, and fiery red. By understanding the role and impact of colors in interior design, professionals can create engaging and meaningful spaces that resonate with occupants and reflect their cultural background, aesthetic preferences, and personality

Co-designing for common values:creating hybrid spaces to nurture autonomous cooperation

This paper concerns the development of digitally-mediated technologies that value social cooperation as a common good rather than as a source of revenue and accumulation. The paper discusses the activities that shaped a European participatory design project which aims to develop a digital space that promotes and facilitates the ‘Commonfare’, a complementary approach to social welfare. The paper provides and discusses concrete examples of design artifacts to address a key question about the role of co- and participatory design in developing hybrid spaces that nurture sharing and autonomous cooperation: how can co-design practices promote alternatives to the commodification of digitally-mediated cooperation? The paper argues for a need to focus on relational, social, political and ethical values, and highlights the potential power of co- and participatory design processes to achieve this. In summary, the paper proposes that only by re-asserting the centrality of shared values and capacities, rather than individual needs or problems, co-design can reposition itself thereby encouraging autonomous cooperation