In-between spaces and social interaction: a morphological analysis of Izmir using space syntax

This research tackles the intermediate spaces between buildings and the street, by examining the definition and importance of spatial configuration in relation to urban morphology and social relations. It also analyses how the organisation of in-between space affects social interaction in different urban forms. To understand the complex relations and socio-spatial structure of the city, it is important to use mixed methods. This research utilises various methods to focus on three dissimilar urban morphologies in Izmir, Turkey. Two inner city quarters and one modern housing estate of middle- and high-income groups are compared using space syntax analysis and snapshot observations. These neighbourhoods are selected according to their syntax measures from more integrated to segregated neighbourhoods in the axial analysis. And for a detailed zoomed-in analysis, similar diameter areas are covered for observations. Subsequently, activity patterns are observed at different times of the day, one weekday and one Sunday in three cases. In each neighbourhood, syntactic measures of all selected streets are correlated with these recorded activities. This study reveals that connectivity of streets is important for supplying niches that trigger long-duration activities and social interaction. In modern estates, stationary activities are not correlated strong enough with movement as it is in inner city neighbourhoods. Additionally, in-between spaces increase the frequency of social interaction and co-presence of people particularly in more integrated areas. However, this is only one element in developing sense of community. Further research is needed especially in correlating space syntax with environmental issues, as well as people’s behaviour

Lebensstil-integrierte sportliche Aktivität: Ergebnisse der MoVo-LISA Interventionsstudie

Das psychologische Interventionsprogramm MoVo-LISA wurde entwickelt, um Aufbau und Aufrechterhaltung eines körperlich-aktiven Lebensstils im Anschluss an eine stationäre Rehabilitation zu unterstützen. Anders als die meisten bisherigen Programme zielt MoVo-LISA nicht nur auf eine Stärkung der Motivation, sondern auch auf eine Förderung der Selbststeuerungsfähigkeit, um aus bloßen Absichten tatsächliches Handeln werden zu lassen (Volition). N=220 Patienten einer stationären orthopädischen Rehabilitationseinrichtung wurden einer Kontroll- bzw. Interventionsbedingung zugewiesen (quasi-experimentelles Design). Die Kontrollgruppe erhielt das Standard-Klinikprogramm, die Interventionsgruppe zusätzlich die MoVo-LISA Intervention (2 Gruppengespräche und ein kurzes Einzelgespräch während des Klinikaufenthalts, eine postalische Erinnerung 3 Wochen und ein Kurztelefonat 5 Wochen nach der Klinikentlassung). Sportaktivität, Gesundheitsstatus und psychologische Variablen wurden zu 5 Messzeitpunkten erhoben. Ein Jahr nach Rehabilitationsende waren die Teilnehmer der Interventionsgruppe im Mittel 28 min/Woche länger sportlich aktiv als die der Kontrollgruppe (p=0,05). Die Hälfte der Teilnehmer der Interventionsgruppe waren mindestens 60 min/Woche aktiv, in der Kontrollgruppe jedoch nur 33 Prozent (p=0,01). Auch im Beschwerdeerleben (Schmerzindex) erreichte die Interventionsgruppe günstigere Werte. Bei MoVo-LISA handelt es sich um ein kostengünstiges, zeitlich effizientes und standardisiertes Interventionsprogramm, das in vielen Bereichen des Gesundheitswesens (v. a. ambulante und stationäre Reha) eingesetzt werden kann. Die Ergebnisse bestätigen die Annahme, dass es nachhaltig zum Aufbau eines körperlich-aktiven Lebensstils beitragen kann. Verf.-Referat The intervention program MoVo-LISA was developed to support setup and maintenance of a physically active lifestyle after rehabilitation. In contrast to most of the current programs MoVo-LISA does not only aim at strengthening motivation, but also at fostering self-regulation in order to help bridging the gap between intentions and actions. N=220 patients of an in-patient orthopaedic rehab clinic were assigned to the control or intervention group. While the control group only received standard care, the intervention group additionally received the MoVo-LISA intervention (consisting of two group-meetings and a one-on-one interview at the clinic, a postal reminder three weeks and a brief telephone contact five weeks after discharge). Physical exercise, health status and psychological variables were measured at five time points. One year after discharge, patients in the intervention group were more physically active than those in the control group (difference: 28 min/week; p=0,05). In the intervention group half of the patients were exercising for at least 60 min/week, in the control group only 33 percent (p=0,01). Furthermore, level of health complaints (pain index) in the intervention group was significantly lower than in the control group. MoVo-LISA is an economic, time-efficient and standardized intervention program which can be applied to many health-related settings (in particular to in-patient and out-patient rehabilitation). Results suggest that the program has the potential to support the long-term acquisition of a physically active lifestyle. Verf.-Refera