Planting Design and Wayfinding for University Campus: Space Syntax as a Landscape Design Assessment Tool

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Masoomeh Charousaei 1
Mohsen Faizi 2
Mehdi Khakzand 3
1 M.Sc in Landscape architecture, Department of Landscape Architecture, Faculty of Architecture & Urban Planning, Iran University of Science and Technology, Tehran, Iran.
2 Professor, Department of Landscape Architecture, Faculty of Architecture & Urban Planning, Iran University of Science and Technology, Tehran, Iran.
3 Associate Professor, Department of Landscape Architecture, Faculty of Architecture & Urban Planning, Iran University of Science and Technology, Tehran, Iran.
10.22034/usd.2023.705568
Abstract
The spatial characteristics of outdoor places are significantly influenced by trees. Using space syntax theory, this study examines how the spatial arrangement created by the suggested trees planting design and wayfinding affects the visual fields of a university campus. These methods are thought to be helpful in determining the proposed space's spatial organization and evaluating design options. An experimental study using three different planting and wayfinding design proposals for a university campus is conducted. The first proposal follows a regular, parallel array of trees and diagonal, symmetrical paths. The second proposal consists of a 5-point pattern of trees and straight and symmetrical paths, and the third proposal applies a random grid pattern of trees and radial paths. Data are analyzed using space syntax techniques. Results reveal a significant effect of planting configurations and wayfinding on syntactic measures across the three proposals. The highest levels of movement can be observed in the 5-point planting plan with straight paths, although radial and curved arrangements of paths and random planting of trees also generate comparably integrated and connected environments. Therefore, this study suggests that space syntax techniques may have a significant value in the assessment of schematic planting design, especially at the user's movement level.

Keywords

Subjects

  • Abubakar, I. and Aina, A. (2006). GIS and space syntax: An analysis of accessibility to urban green areas in doha district of dammam metropolitan area: Saudi Arabia, In Proceedings of Map Middle East Conference, 1-8.

http://www.environment.gen.tr/environment-and-architecture/116-gis-and-space-syntax-an-analysis-of-accessibility-to-urban-green-areas-in-doha-district-of-dammam-metropolitan-area.pdf

  • Akhir, N. M., Sakip, S. R. M., Abbas, M. Y., & Othman, N. (2018). Literature survey on how planting composition influence visual preferences: a campus landscape setting. The Journal of Social Sciences Research, 783-790.‏

https://doi.org/10.21834/e-bpj.v2i6.987

  • Azzali, S., & Abdel Sabour, E. (2018). The Way-Finding in Educational Modular Buildings: The Case of the Male Engineering Building at Qatar University. Advances in Civil Engineering.

https://doi.org/10.1155/2018/6076021

  • Batty, M. (2001). Exploring isovist fields: space and shape in architectural and urban morphology. Environment and planning B: Planning and Design, 28(1), 123-150.

https://doi.org/10.1068/b2725

  • Bell, S., (2004). Elements of Visual Design in the Landscape. London: Spon Press.
  • Benedikt, M. L. (1979). To take hold of space: isovists and isovist fields. Environment and Planning B: Planning and design, 6(1), 47-65,

https://doi.org/10.1068/b060047

  • Dawson, P. C. (2003). Analysing the effects of spatial configuration on human movement and social interaction in Canadian Arctic communities. In 4th International Space Syntax Symposium, 1, 1-37.‏

https://www.academia.edu/download/35251317/Dawson_Peter-Pub_24.pdf

  • Desyllas, J., & Duxbury, E. (2001). Axial maps and visibility graph analysis. In Proceedings, 3rd International Space Syntax Symposium, Georgia Institute of Technology Atlanta, 27, 21-13.

https://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/document?repid=rep1&type=pdf&doi=f2dbe1f98781bcdf0074e1339ac04e8256850366

  • El-Darwish, I. I. (2022). Enhancing outdoor campus design by utilizing space syntax theory for social interaction locations. Ain Shams Engineering Journal, 13(1), 101524.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.asej.2021.06.010

  • Emo, B. (2014). Seeing the Axial Line: Evidence from Wayfinding Experiments, Behavioral Sciences, 4(3), 167-180.

https://doi.org/10.3390/bs4030167

  • Franz, G., & Wiener, J. M. (2008). From space syntax to space semantics: a behaviorally and perceptually oriented methodology for the efficient description of the geometry and topology of environments. Environment and planning b: planning and design, 35(4), 574-592.

https://doi.org/10.1068/b33050

  • Gumprecht, B. (2007). The campus as a public space in the American college town. Journal of Historical Geography, 33(1), 72-103.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhg.2005.12.001

  • Hapsari, T. D., Setijanti, P., & Dinapradipta, A. (2022). Landmark-to-Landmark: Exploring Wayfinding Aspect Criteria for the Campus. International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Publications, 5(2), 36-40.

http://ijmrap.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/IJMRAP-V5N1P174Y22.pdf

  • Haq, S. and Luo, Y. (2012). Space syntax in healthcare facilities research: a review, HERD: Health Environments Research and Design Journal, 5 (4), 98-117.

https://doi.org/10.1177/193758671200500409

  • Haq, S. and Zimring, C. (2003). Just down the road a piece: the development of topological knowledge of building layouts. Environment and Behavior, 35 (1). 132-160.

https://doi.org/10.1177/0013916502238868

  • Hillier, B. )1996(. Space is the Machine. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.
  • Hillier, B. and Vaughan, L. (2007). The city as one thing. Progress in planning, 67(3), 205-230.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.progress.2007.03.001

  • Hillier, B., Penn, A., Hanson, J., Grajewski, T. and Xu, J. (1993). Natural movement: or, configuration and attraction in urban pedestrian movement, Environment and Planning B: planning and Design, 20 (1), 29-66.

https://doi.org/10.1068/b200029

  • Iftikhar, H., Asghar, S.and Luximon, Y. (2020). The efficacy of campus wayfinding signage: a comparative study from Hong Kong and Pakistan, Facilities, 38(11/12), 871-892.

https://doi.org/10.1108/F-04-2020-0035

  • Johanes, M., & Yatmo, Y. A. (2018). Application of visibility analysis and visualisation in hospital wayfinding sign design. DIMENSI (Journal of Architecture and Built Environment), 45 (1), 1-8.

https://doi.org/10.9744/dimensi.45.1.1-8

  • Klarqvist, B. (2015).A space syntax Glossary, NA, 6 (2).
  • Kuper, R. (2017). Evaluations of landscape preference, complexity, and coherence for designed digital landscape models. Landscape and Urban Planning, 157, 407-421.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2016.09.002

  • Li, S., Peng, Z., Huang, Z. and Qin, J. (2019). Plants spatial planning method of urban ecological landscape environment, Ekoloji Dergisi, 28(107), 2905-2916.

http://ekolojidergisi.com/download/plants-spatial-planning-method-of-urban-ecological-landscape-environment-5925.pdf

  • Mahmoud, A. H., & Omar, R. H. (2015). Planting design for urban parks: Space syntax as a landscape design assessment tool. Frontiers of Architectural Research, 4(1), 35-45.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foar.2014.09.001

  • Negm, H., Taha, D. S., & Saadallah, D. M. (2020). The Effect of the Physical Environment on Social Interaction: The Case of Educational Campuses. Liveable City Regions for the 21st Century. Aachen, Germany: REAL CORP, 848-857.‏

https://corp.at/archive/CORP2020_67.pdf

  • Nightingale, F. (1860). Notes On Nursing: What It Is, And What It Is Not, First American ed., Appleton and Company, New York, NY.
  • Ortega‐Andeane, P., Jiménez‐Rosas, E., Mercado‐Doménech, S., & Estrada‐Rodríguez, C. (2007). Space syntax as a determinant of spatial orientation perception. International Journal of Psychology, 40(1), 11-18.

https://doi.org/10.1080/00207590444000096

  • Peponis, J., Zimring, C. and Choi, Y.K. (1990). Finding the building in wayfinding, Environment and Behavior, 22 (5), 555-590.

https://doi.org/10.1177/0013916590225001

  • Safizadeh, M. (2023). Simulation of the circulation complexity in student residence buildings using space syntax analyses (Case studies: Highland hall, Rita Atkinson, Rutgers University and Tooker Residences, USA). Architectural Engineering and Design Management, 1-20.‏

https://doi.org/10.1080/17452007.2023.2203372

  • Torku, A., Chan, A. P., Yung, E. H., & Seo, J. (2021). The influence of urban visuospatial configuration on older adults’ stress: A wearable physiological-perceived stress sensing and data mining based-approach. Building and Environment, 206, 108298.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2021.108298

  • Toker, U., Baran, P. and Mull, M. (2005). Sub-urban evolution: A cross-temporal analysis of spatial configuration in an American town (1989-2002). in 5th International Space Syntax Symposium, ed. A. Van Nes, Purdue University Press, USA, 13-17.
  • Turner, A., (2003). Analysing the Visual Dynamics of Spatial Morphology. Environ and Planning B: Urban Analytics and City Science, 30(5), 657–676.

https://doi.org/10.1068/b12962

  • Turner, A. and Penn. A. (1999). Making isovists syntactic: isovist integration analysis. in 2nd International Symposium on Space Syntax, Brasilia.

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Alan-Penn2/publication/242075155_Making_isovists_syntactic_isovist_integration_analysis/links/0046352bbef92ce31e000000/Making-isovists-syntactic-isovist-integration-analysis.pdf

  • Turner, A., Doxa, M., O'sullivan, D., & Penn, A. (2001). From isovists to visibility graphs: a methodology for the analysis of architectural space. Environment and Planning B: Planning and design, 28 (1), 103-121.

https://doi.org/10.1068/b2684

  • Ulrich, R.S. (2002). Health benefits of gardens in hospitals, In Paper for Conference, Plants for People International Exhibition Floriade, 17, 2010.

https://jardinessanadores.cl/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Health_Benefits_of_Gardens_in_Hospitals.pdf

  • Wang, R., Zhao, J., & Liu, Z. (2016). Consensus in visual preferences: The effects of aesthetic quality and landscape types. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, 20, 210-217.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ufug.2016.09.005

  • Wu, C., Xiao, Q., & McPherson, E. G. (2008). A method for locating potential tree-planting sites in urban areas: A case study of Los Angeles, USA. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, 7(2), 65-76.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ufug.2008.01.002

  • ‏ Zabihi, A., Safizadeh, M. and Hedayati Marzbali, M. (2021). Wayfinding in hospital landscape: syntactical analysis of planting design in hospitals in Kerman, Iran. Journal of Facilities Management, 19 (3), 393-411.

https://doi.org/10.1108/JFM-12-2020-0089

Journal of Urban Sustainable Development
Volume 4, Issue 10
Spring 2023
Pages 37-51