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Towards an Active Campus Environment:
Co-Assessment of Campus Buildings and Public Open Spaces
YouWalk-YouReclaim is a mobile application that aims at facilitating the co-assessment of campus environments including buildings and public open spaces.
Campus Buildings
The co-assessment of campus buildings using context, building components (massing), interface, wayfinding, socio-spatial, and comfort aims to improve and activate the campus environment.
It considers contextual integration, efficient spatial layout, building character, seamless interface, effective wayfinding, social interaction support, and optimal use comfort in the indoor environments of buildings.
This approach enhances user experience, promotes community engagement, and ensures buildings meet the diverse needs of occupants.
Context
Context
Buildings are usually located in a context that represents the setting. The context is exemplified by several visual attributes such as character, size, visual features, materials, and relationship of the building to the urban environment. Considering the context in the co-assessment of buildings is essential for understanding user needs, integrating design with the surrounding environment, respecting cultural and historical features of the site, addressing environmental considerations, complying with regulations, and assessing operational requirements. By incorporating context, the co-assessment process can ensure that buildings are evaluated and eventual designed or improved in a way that is suitable for their specific setting and purpose.
Building Components
Building Components
Building components are organized into some type of massing. Massing of the components gives both form and meaning as well as variety to the building while expressing what happens inside and the variety of use. Building components and their massing are crucial in the co-assessment of buildings as they have a significant impact on various aspects of a building's functionality, aesthetics, expression and representation, and performance.
Interface
Interface
A building is essentially an enclosure that separates an interior private space from the exterior public space. The interface of a building refers to the interaction between the inside and the outside. The interface is the crucial meeting place where the inside of the building connects with the outside. This is an essential aspect in determining the usability, functionality and overall user experience.
Wayfinding
Wayfinding
Wayfinding is the ability of people to know their whereabouts, discern routes, traffic patterns or passageways in and around the building. By assessing wayfinding elements, the co-assessment process can optimize the building's wayfinding strategies to enhance user satisfaction, facilitate inclusivity, and promote efficient navigation within into and through the building.
Socio-Spatial
Socio-Spatial
The socio-spatial dimension addresses the ability of the physical environment to accommodate diverse human needs. It recognizes that the design, layout, and functionality of spaces have a positive impact on the social dynamics, behaviour, and well-being of individuals.
Comfort
Comfort
Comfort is important in the co-assessment of buildings as it directly impacts users' well-being, productivity, and satisfaction. The environmental conditions affecting human comfort include temperature, ventilation, noise, lighting conditions, noise control and acoustic comfort, and ergonomic design as well as the way in which they are operated.
Campus Open Spaces
The co-assessment of campus open spaces at using the mobile application YouWalk-YouReclaim is a collaborative and inclusive approach that actively involves all campus users in evaluating and enhancing a selected public open space. By utilizing the mobile app, students and academic and administrative staff can provide valuable feedback on density, ambience conditions, comfort, social use, diversity, safety, environmental meaning, personal space, personalization, and territoriality. This empowers the campus community, informs decision-making, and creates vibrant, user-centric spaces that enhance the overall campus environment.
Functional Dimension
Functional Dimension
Functional open spaces on university campuses are areas that are designed with specific purposes in mind. These spaces may include sports fields, courts, and tracks for athletic activities, as well as outdoor classrooms and study areas for academic purposes. They may also include outdoor spaces for events such as concerts, fairs, graduation parties, and festivals. Functional open spaces are essential for promoting physical activity and wellness among students and academic and administrative staff, as well as providing alternative learning environments that can enhance academic performance.
Additionally, these spaces often serve as a hub for student socialization, fostering a sense of community and connection. Functional open spaces can also support sustainable practices, such as community gardens, which promote environmental awareness and encourage responsible behaviors. Overall, functional open spaces in university campuses are an integral part of the student experience, providing opportunities for physical, academic, and social growth.
Social Dimension
Social Dimension
Social open spaces in university campuses are areas that are designed to facilitate social interaction and engagement among students. These spaces may include student lounges, outdoor seating areas, and recreational spaces. They serve as a hub for socialization, allowing students and academic and administrative staff to connect with one another, build relationships, and form a sense of community. They provide a space for users to unwind, relax, and engage in leisure activities with others, which can have a positive impact on mental health and well-being.
Additionally, social open spaces often serve as a venue for events and activities such as concerts, comedy shows, and cultural events, further fostering a sense of inclusion. Overall, social open spaces in university campuses play a vital role in enhancing the overall user experience, providing a space for socialization, leisure, and community building.
Perceptual Dimension
Perceptual Dimension
The perception of open spaces on campus can have a significant impact on the student experience. Open spaces that are well-designed and maintained can promote a sense of safety, comfort, and belonging among students. They can enhance the overall aesthetic of the campus, providing a pleasant and inviting environment for students to learn, socialize, and relax. However, open spaces that are neglected or poorly designed can have the opposite effect, contributing to feelings of isolation, discomfort, and insecurity. The perception of open spaces can also be influenced by cultural and social factors, including the physical characteristics of the environment with different students having different preferences and needs for open space use.
Therefore, it is important for universities to consider the diverse needs and perceptions of their student body when designing and maintaining open spaces on campus. By creating open spaces that are inclusive, accessible, and appealing, universities can enhance the overall student experience and promote a sense of community and well-being.
Application Manual - Illustrated
Application Manual - Illustrated
Download the application YouWalk-YouReclaim from Google Play Store or Apple App Store, and "Install," the app on your device.
After installing the application, "Welcome" or "Onboarding" screen will appear, where you will be introduced to its purpose.
On the next screen, you will be prompted to either sign in through your existing Google or Facebook account or register for a new account to access the full functionalities of the application.
Next, you can explore the the features of the app, such as start new assessment, view your previous assessments, create your profile, using the tabs at the bottom of the screen.
Campus Buildings
Campus Buildings
For a comprehensive assessment of buildings, please select the "Buildings" option, allowing you to evaluate six factors critical to creating user-friendly interior spaces within the YouWalk-YouReclaim mobile application.
On the next screen, you will find an introduction to the application, and instructions on how to conduct the assessment.
In the next screen, select "Buildings" or "Campus Open Spaces as your assessment category.
Campus Buildings- Option 1- Library:
Tap on the "Library" option to access the preloaded images of various buildings.
Please take a look at the list of buildings available for assessment and select the one you'd like.
Tap on an image of the building that you want to assess. This will take you to the assessment screen for that specific building.
On the assessment screen, you will find six options: Context, Building Components, Interface, Wayfinding, Socio-Spatial, and Comfort.
Next, tap the "Context" category to assess this factor.
Note: You can begin with any factor.
Review the questions about the building's massing, form, and layout. Rate each question using the 6-point Likert scale, where one represents "highly inappropriate", and six illustrates "highly appropriate."
After completing the predefined questions for a specific factor or dimension, you can add one custom question to the assessment.
On the next screen, you can view your Likert scale ratings for the assessed factor.
Please follow suit and go ahead with the assessment of the next factor.
Rate each question on the Likert scale based on your observations and experiences.
View the Likert scale ratings for each question for the selected factor.
Tap on "View Answers" to view the ratings you provided for each question.
To proceed with the assessment of all factors in the Buildings section, continue evaluating each factor one after the other.
You can view the Likert scale ratings for all the factors in the Results screen.
The Scores tab provides you a summary of the cumulative scores for all dimensions or factors assessed, providing an overall evaluation of the building or campus open space.
Campus Buildings- Option 2- Capture or Upload Pictures:
Choose the "Capture or Upload" option in the app to assess an urban open space using your images of a building of your choice.
In the "Your Places" tab, which should be accessible from the library, you will find the images that you have uploaded during the co-assessment process.
Tap on the "Add New Building", provide a name for the new building or place it in the designated text input field.
Once uploaded, the images will be associated with the newly created building or place.
Tap on the "Capture Photo" button to use your device's camera to capture photos of the urban open space you want to evaluate
OR
Tap on the "Upload Photo" button to access your device's gallery.
Select and upload images of the urban open space you wish to assess.
Once you have captured or uploaded the relevant images, they will be added to "Your places."
Please go ahead with the assessment of six factors, one by one.
During the assessment, you will find a brief description of each factor to provide context and guidance for evaluating specific factors.
To go ahead with the assessment, please respond to the questions provided for each factor, evaluating and rating them using the Likert scale.
After completing the assessment for each factor, you can immediately view the results.
After completing the assessment, for each factor, you have the option to review and revisit your ratings for each factor to ensure accuracy.
Campus Open Spaces
Campus Open Spaces
To assess the campus open spaces effectively, kindly select the "Campus Open Spaces" option, enabling you to evaluate diverse aspects and dimensions crucial in enhancing the quality and inclusivity of the university environment within the YouWalk-YouReclaim mobile application.
Campus Open Space - Option 1- Library:
Return to the main menu after completing the building assessment. In the Co-assessment section, select "Campus Open Spaces" as your assessment category.
Please look at the campus open spaces available for assessment under the Library section.
Please assess the the dimension you would like to start with: functional, or social, or perceptual. then go with the other two.
During the assessment, you will find a brief description of each factor to provide context and guidance for evaluating specific aspects.
Answer the questions and rate each factor using the Likert scale for a comprehensive evaluation.
View the Likert scale ratings for all the factors.
You can review and revisit your ratings for each factor to ensure accuracy.
Complete the assessment of three dimensions.
View the results of the three dimensions (functional, social, and perceptual).
View the cumulative scores, which represent the average ratings for each dimension (functional, social, and perceptual), calculated by summing up the ratings of all questions within that dimension and dividing it by the total number of questions.
Campus Open Space - Option 2- Capture or Upload Images:
Option 2 allows you to either capture images using your device's camera or upload images from your gallery to include in the assessment process.
Tap on the "Add New Campus Open Space", to add a new space.
Please provide a name for the new building or place it in the designated text input field.
Once uploaded, the images will be associated with the newly created building or place.
Tap on the "Capture Photo" button to use your device's camera to capture photos of the urban open space you want to evaluate
OR
Tap on the "Upload Photo" button to access your device's gallery.
Select and upload images of the urban open space you wish to assess.
Once you have captured or uploaded the relevant images, they will be added to "Your places."
Please go ahead with the assessment of the three dimensions, one by one.
During the assessment, you will find a brief description of each dimension to provide context and guidance for evaluating specific factors.
Answer the questions and rate each dimension using the Likert scale for a comprehensive evaluation.
View the results of the three dimensions (functional, social, and perceptual).
View the cumulative scores, which represent the average ratings for each dimension (functional, social, and perceptual). Start a new assessment or exit the application.
Start a new assessment or exit the application.
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