Impact of the Degree of Enclosure on the Use of In-between Spaces in Residential Neighbourhoods - The case of Béjaia, Algeria

Salima, Medjkoune and Yassine, Bada and Hocine, Bougdah (2023) Impact of the Degree of Enclosure on the Use of In-between Spaces in Residential Neighbourhoods - The case of Béjaia, Algeria. International Review for Spatial Planning and Sustainable Development, 11 (1). pp. 122-140. ISSN 2187-3666

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Abstract

Culture influences the way people develop and use urban spaces. These are voids between and around buildings intended for public and private use. It consists of many categories of well-defined open spaces, though, some are being categorised as an ‘undefined’ spaces, referred to in this study as the in-between spaces. This work explores the relationship between people’s behaviour and use of such spaces and the spatial configuration in general and the degree of opening and enclosure in particular. Past studies have shown people’s preference for open spaces to enclosed ones. In-between spaces in the city of Béjaia, where the case study is located, and most Algerian cities are ‘undefined’ categories of spaces between streets and buildings. Their unequal use contributes to making them as leftover and disconnected spaces within the urban environment, instead of being spaces for social interactions. Using a mixed method approach, this study attempts to develop a better understanding of the degree of physical enclosure and the use of the in-between spaces using a series of measurable physical indicators to characterise these spaces. The obtained data is compared to the data relating to people’ space use obtained from a behaviour mapping. The data shows that people prefer to use the large spaces with a moderate sense of enclosure more than the open spaces or the narrow spaces with a strong sense of enclosure which are used mostly as transitional spaces.

Item Type:	Article
Identification Number:	10.14246/irspsd.11.1_122
Dates:	Date Event 21 November 2022 Accepted 15 January 2023 Published Online
Uncontrolled Keywords:	In-Between Spaces, Neighbourhood, Physical Enclosure Indicators, Social Life, Space Use
Subjects:	CAH13 - architecture, building and planning > CAH13-01 - architecture, building and planning > CAH13-01-01 - architecture
Divisions:	Faculty of Arts, Design and Media > College of Architecture
Depositing User:	Gemma Tonks
Date Deposited:	19 Aug 2024 13:43
Last Modified:	19 Aug 2024 13:43
URI:	https://www.open-access.bcu.ac.uk/id/eprint/15736

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