The study of user behavior and their perception of the surrounding environment in the urban open space design
Introduction
The changing of psychology and behavior is highly related to the environment. In open spaces, humans exhibit a much larger and interesting range of behavior, from the way they communicate with each other to their interaction with the environment (how groups of people occupy the space or how they manipulate/use objects within it). People always respond to the environment according to the environmental information they have received and always take action on the basis of their understanding of the environmental cues. That is this process: Physical environment - People - Psychological environment - Action. Many people are considering how to design the physical environment to induct or change people's behavior, so as to make the whole environment perceived correctly. Therefore, some change in the physical environment can often change the usage of space. For example, some studies have shown that behavior patterns of users are strongly related to ambience, facilities, management of settings, as well as the city design characteristics of surrounding area.
This dissertation based on the research on some city square and other open space in Liverpool to examine the usage of some public space and the effect of spatial environment upon the behavior of users. It will concentrate on the design quality of the open space, the human motive and behavior inside the space, the facilities within it and the accessibility of the area. A number of recommendations are suggested at the end to improve the spatial environment.
3. Aims and objectives
城市公共空间的要素很多,人的活动、交通的穿梭、事件的改变、季节的转变、植物的变化都参与其中,不过最重要的还是人的活动及其对城市环境的参与。但是,并不是每一个经过设计的公共空间都取得了预期的效果。人们的心理可能寻求适合于自己要求的不同的环境,行为也趋向于设置在最能满足它要求的空间环境中,只有将活动安排在最符合其功能的合适场所,才能创造出良好的人性空间。人的心理和活动对城市公共空间的相互依存性构成了城市设计的又一要素。能积极引导公众参与活动,使人尽其兴,物尽其用,发挥主客观的互动作用的空间,才会充满活力。反之,则会失去观众和参与者,成为一个死寂的消极空间。
Therefore, this dissertation develop and apply a method for assessing the usage of some urban public space and the perceptual analysis of users. Also, to study the relationship between human behavior and the surrounding environment in terms of vision, hearing, taste, feel. Then analyze the advantages and disadvantages of the site so as to provide a reference for the improvement of urban open space and to improve the quality of life. For example, it will provide useful information to retailers, sociologists, public planning authorities, architects, as well as surveillance and security applications. In a word, the objective of the study is to conduct a design review of some public open space available as a framework in which to evaluate the accessibility and usability of each space for the public, in order to promote environmental quality.
4. Literature review
The literature review defines public open space to mean space within the urban environment which is readily available to the community regardless of its size, design or physical features and which is intended for, primarily, amenity or physical recreation, whether active or passive. This space is neither home nor workplace and includes green and hard surfaced areas, water spaces, nature trails and bike paths (that are separated from the road).
A lot of previous researchers believe that humans' behavior in the open space are highly relevant to the environment around it. Jane Jacobs (1961) who proposed in the book - ''The Death and Life of Great American Cities'' that a number of assumptions about the importance of circulation of people and appropriation of public space have been put forward in the literature, such as: the degree of accessibility and consequently potential of movement and presence of people in the urban space would affect the choice of path to be followed by pedestrians, since people would be attracted by spaces with people and would tend to avoid deserted spaces. A constant pattern of movement, characterizing spaces with the presence of people, would increase the security of users of urban spaces and places where the lines of vision are interrupted would have less potential for movement and would tend to favour the occurrence of crime (Hillier, 1988). Moreover, Hillier (1996) has argued that spatial configuration may face limit on spatial experience since it appears to encourage or impede aspects of human activity through spatial cognition and subsequent behavior.
Moreover, the literature on human cognition suggests that configurational aspects of built environment have significant consequences. Kevin Lynch (1960) says that legibility may play a decisive role in acquiring a sense of spatial control in spatial experience. He notes that, in order to be "imageable", an area needs to be apprehended as a pattern of high continuity, with a number of distinctive but interconnected parts. Furthermore, he mentions that in the process of wayfinding, the strategic link is the environmental image: a generalized mental picture of the exterior physical world, which benefits from architectural legibility as experienced by an individual, further emphasizing affective qualities of spatial form that is central to the emotional and physical well-being of the inhabitant population, personally as well as socially.
In addition, Preiser (1988) stated that space performance could be identified by 3 elements. They are technical, function and behavior aspects. This research tried to evaluate space performance of public open space in Liverpool, which emphasized on those 3 aspects. Technically, spatial design review focused on dimension of space in order to know adequacy ratio of space, sanitation and fixtures through environmental perception of the visitors. Functionally, evaluation was conducted by examine spatial usability and accessibility, and kinds of activities expected from users perspective. Behavioral aspects concern about observation of behavior setting occurs in sites, orientation ability, users’ interaction with the whole elements available in place, and user’s satisfactory in using the place.
5. Research methodology
5.1 Research hypotheses and research questions
In order to measure these environmental qualities, accessibility, users' behavior and perception, characteristics are further investigated. The assumption is that all the locations in the research have built for several years. That is there are enough people know about the open space. Another hypotheses is that environment of the open space will impact users' behavior and their perception and this research is made to find evidence to prove this assumption is right. Moreover, the research does not consider weather conditions, and all the surveys are made on sunny days.
5.2 Method
The investigation was carried out in Liverpool, a city with a population of 482,034 (2011). The main research area are the plaza in front of Lime Station; Chavasse Park in the Liverpool One; an open space in the University of Liverpool area; a square in front of Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral; a place near to Urban Strawberry Lunch. All these open spaces are typical and they are different types of square with different situation.
The study includes the analysis of each place which would influence the results, such as location, features, surroundings, facilities, traffic and so on. In order to analyze spatial configuration (accessibility), spatial cognition (legibility, imageability, user perception of surroundings) and spatial behavior (pedestrian movement, identification, intensity and location of activities), data are mainly collected by observation and inquiry techniques. Quantitative data are analyzed through non-parametric statistics and qualitative data are analyzed by meaning and frequency. Comparison analysis is made by different time in each area and behavioral expression among different areas through diagrams.
Measures to evaluate spatial performance are:
1. Observations of the place to identify who, where, when and, possibly, how users spend their time (having lunch, basking in the sunshine, communicating with others, using facilities or any other behavior). Also the number of people pass by/stay in each area;
2. Survey determination and administration to users of the place for quantitative (statistical) measurement of the environment (questionnaires);
3. Interviews of users regarding their experiences with the place; this helps to qualify where and how people spend their time in certain places or corners and not others;
4. Behavioral and Preference Mapping of the place, possibly at different scales, to delineate those areas that receive the most and least amount of use, as well as to quantify and qualify the reasons for the use;
5. Photographic analysis of how people use the space, as well as key measurements that demonstrate how people are either engaged or not connected to the environment.
300 respondents from different age groups (juveniles (n=20), adults (n=20) and old people (n=20) in each area) were participated in the research for answering the questionnaires, followed by interviews and observed behavior setting to explore the proper need of open space users. In addition, there were three observations at each open space. One observation was conducted during each of the following times:
§ mid-day on weekends (11:00-17:00hrs, Saturday and Sunday)
§ mid-day on weekdays (11:00-17:00hrs, Monday through Friday)
§ after work (17:00-19:00 hrs, Saturday and Sunday)
§ after work (17:00-19:00 hrs, Monday through Friday)
6. Findings
6.1 基地调查
6.11 The plaza in front of Lime Station
Client: Liverpool Vision
Lead landscape architect: Glenn Howells Architects
Location: Lime Street, Liverpool
Type of scheme: Public realm
Completion date: October 2010
Lime Street Gateway produce a design for a new public square with better access to Liverpool's main station. It provides a transformed approach to one of the city’s most important visitor gateways with a new accessible main entrance to the station, seating areas, gentle slopes and feature lighting. It also links more effectively with the city’s cultural and retail quarters.
The project greatly improve pedestrian access in a visually simple way and form a unitive integer between plaza and the historic Listed buildings. This has been carried out by using a colour scheme which is well coordinated and not intrusive, yet still providing contrast for the partially sighted. In addition, all slopes are no steeper than 1 in 21, therefore removing the need for intrusive handrails. Distinguished artist Simon Faithful was commissioned to design a series of etchings which have been incorporated in the glazing to the station arches and in the surrounding paving. 体现了广场的文化特征并使人们驻足观赏。
St George’s Hall is opposite to the square which lead the sight of people, and transform the landscape of this part of the city. Meanwhile, it makes visitors to the city will be impressed at their first impressions of Liverpool and give their visit off to a good start.”
The front has curvaceous steps intercut by ramps that sweep across its front. There are places to sit and watch the world go by and an area with trees that breaks up the slabbed space. 由于位置的显著性it has already become a place to have lunch or to meet people in the city centre.
虽然square有良好的通达性和充足的休息空间,但是广场以硬质铺地为主,缺少水、绿化等设计元素,大多数停留者以候车目的为主,广场功能单调,缺少让路人驻足聚集并游憩的休闲设施
6.12 Chavasse Park in the Liverpool city centre
Client: Grosvenor
Location: Liverpool city centre
Services: Transport Planning, Road Safety Audit, Health & Safety Consultancy
Sector: Mixed use
Start/Completion date: 2000 / 2009
This is a five-acre park which is known as part of Liverpool One project. The site is traversed by the city's waterfront traffic artery Strand Street, two proposed tram routes, two major bus corridors, and near to the city's busiest bus terminus and shopper car park. Around this park, there is a 236,000m² mixed use area including shops, apartments, hotels, restaurants and leisure and other commercial uses.
广场有喷泉、座椅供游人休息驻足。整个开放区域的空间形态良好,层次感强烈,公园的设计充分考虑人的视觉感受,通过丰富的形式、变化的色彩与不同植被的有机融合,创造出丰富的视觉景观效果。此空间是一个公共性的开放的活动空间,它最重要的一个功能就是为居民提供一个聚会、休憩的活动场所。公园便于开展各种休闲、运动、娱乐、集会等活动,具有良好的交通可达性和公众参与性。另外,整个空间虽然有明显的高低落差,但是有缓坡可以作为无障碍通道,既满足特定人群的需求,又有一定的空间导向性。
通过对公园的调查显示,从中午到傍晚这段时间活动的人群最多,各个年龄阶层都有,主要是以休息,观光为主,很多购物、旅游的人在周边的休闲台阶享受阳光、吃午饭等等,给那些喜欢群聚、聊天的人提供了一个交流场所。晚上游人主要活动内容以散步、娱乐为主。可以看出,此开放空间基本满足人群的疏散要求及市民的休闲要求,有很好的可达性,社会效益良好。
但是调研发现,公园内小品设施较少,不能满足行人的驻足观赏,而且缺少利物浦的文化背景。另外,垃圾桶等服务设施也不能满足需求。公园中心区域没有考虑遮阳和避雨设施,没有安静的私密空间。总之,城市公共空间不仅仅是城市的展示空间,而且还要有明确的功能区分,要形成动静有序、开放和半开放相结合的空间结构,用来满足各类人群的交往需求。
6.13 The square in front of Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral
Architects: Sir Edwin Lutyens, Frederick Gibberd
Location: Liverpool
Type of scheme: Public realm
The Metropolitan Cathedral Church of Christ the King is a Roman Catholic cathedral in Liverpool. 教堂及其前广场经过多次设计达到现在的状态。教堂邻近市中心区域并紧挨University of Liverpool,具有较好的通达性,作为一个建筑附属广场,他在一定区域范围内是具有居民游憩休闲作用的公共场所。但是经过调查发现,广场上是空旷的大面积硬质铺地,人流量很小,大多数是去教堂的参观者,广场没有休憩的座椅等公共设施,功能及形式单调,缺少绿化、水等设计元素,无法为居民或者游览者提供停留交流的作用。另外,教堂的性质导致很少有公共活动在广场上举行,加之其形象过于庄重,又紧邻主干道Mt Pleasant 同时没有足够的绿化带作为缓冲,使其直接暴露于周围川流不息的车辆中,这些都降低了它的易接近性。
6.14 The area in front of Urban Strawberry Lunch
Architects: Sir Edwin Lutyens, Frederick Gibberd
Location: Bold Street, Liverpool
Type of scheme: Public realm
St Luke's Church (Urban Strawberry Lunch) was designed by John Foster in 1802 and later redesigned and completed by his son John Foster Junior in 1831. The Church, perpendicular in a gothic style is well known for its decorated pinnacles and traceried windows. In 1941 the church suffered considerable war damage by incendiary bombs. The church were then purchased by the City Council as a place of rest and tranquility after the war. Today it still stands as a burnt out shell, commonly known locally as “the bombed-out church”, and its churchyard is a public park.
这块开放空间位于Bold Street 和Berry Street交界处,南侧为中国城,西侧为Liverpool商业区,有较大的人流量。此区域视线的通达性良好,有充足的绿化以及可供休息的座椅及台阶,由于有教堂可以遮光,人们可以随心意享受阳光或者阴凉。
调查发现,此开放空间尺度宜人,空间形态良好,层次感强烈,虽然紧邻主干道,但是由于其优越的地理位置及周边环境,使使用者倍感轻松。种种优点导致了其大量的人流量,尤其在中午到傍晚期间,有很多路过者停留,休憩、吃午餐或者和同伴聊天。
但是,虽然有很好的通达性,但是由于离主干道太近,人们的交往行为会受到一定的影响;另外,由于大量的人停留吃午餐等,导致此处产生大量垃圾,影响城市形象。
6.15 An open space in the University of Liverpool area
Administration: University of Liverpool
Location: Brownlow Hill, Liverpool
Services: Transport Planning, Road Safety Audit, Health & Safety Consultancy
Type of scheme: Public realm
Completion date: 2008
该地块位于学校中心区域,在繁忙的学校建筑-Foundation Building东侧,而广场的北侧即为学校著名的Victoria Building和Harold Cohen Library, 通达性良好。广场附近有银行、书店、restaurant,超市,广场内部有绿化,座椅等设施,有良好的景观效果,因此其优越的周边环境,导致较多的人停留休息,尤其中午时有大量的学生在广场休息、吃午餐、聊天。由于平整的铺地及较缓的坡度和局部的台阶,周末时会吸引很多青年人来此玩滑板。另外,广场上经常会举行活动,例如演唱或者倡议等等,给此空间带来很大的活力。
由于广场的位置和性质,无法给人们提供足够的休闲设施,而且,广场的座椅数量不能满足学生的需求。广场紧邻主干道,对使用者的安全有一定影响。另外,研究发现,该广场主要使用者为students of University of Liverpool, 这导致了假期和开学期间人流量的巨大差异,这表明广场的使用情况和其地理位置有极大的关系。
6.2 Results of questionnaire and interviews
(1)坐和休息是最主要的活动。开敞空间的活动是多样和丰富的。大多数样本中,坐和休息是人们在空间中的最主要活动,比例接近或超过50%,这说明开敞空间人们有强烈的休息需要。看风景、聊天、散步等也是主要活动。在某些餐饮性空间中,吃点东西也是主要活动。
(2)观赏活动。观赏景色排名排列第二。在Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral(61%)Chavasse Park(53%),、Lime Station Square(29%)样本中看风景的比例较高。在其他空间中,观赏风景也是重要的活动。调查发现这些空间很有特点,如Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral的空间开敞,教堂本身就是历史性建筑;Chavasse Park附近为商业区,人流量大,且景观很好;Lime Station对面有历史性的建筑,本身又具有一定的文化特色。这些说明空间本身的特点以及有特色的建筑、景观设计,是构成人们观赏活动的主要部分之一,观看就成为开敞空间中人们活动的一个主要方面。也就是说,空间的特点(包括视野开敞程度,)以及建筑设计的特点(特别是具有历史感的建筑),是很重要的行为诱发因素。
(3) 人的行为与空间的性质和功能有关。各开放空间上人们选择的活动差别不大,主要是休息,然后是看风景、聊天、饮食等活动。如Chavasse Park由于其本身景色良好,又处于商业区导致了大量的休息、散步人群;Lime Station Square由于其交通性质,使广场上的人群以候车者为主;Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral Square则多为教堂参观者或使用者。在不同点方面,Chavasse Park里人们选择的活动最丰富。Lime Station Square和Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral Square中人们的行为则比较单一(候车或者看风景)。弘基广场上人们选择了较多的餐饮活动,所以活动内容与广场的性质、功能及区位有关。
(4)样本中的人流量和地理位置有关。Urban Strawberry Lunch Square由于其较好的通达性,邻近中国城和商业中心使其有较大的人流量;University of Liverpool Square位于学校区域,它的使用者则多为学生,在下课时间人流量很大;Liverpool One的Chavasse Park的使用者则多为其附近的购物者或者工作者。
(5)开放空间活动的三种取向。开放空间活动存在三种不同的活动取向,一是以University of Liverpool Square、Urban Strawberry Lunch Square的餐饮、休息取向,主要是在这里坐一会儿,与同学朋友聊聊天,吃点东西。二是Chavasse Park的购物休闲取向,主要是购物,顺便来看看、休息一下。三是追求地点本身的性质,如Lime Station Square是为坐车,Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral Square是为参观教堂。
(6)社交活动与设施有关。有些开敞空间样本中,与朋友、家人的聊天活动较多,这包括Chavasse Park(44%)、Urban Strawberry Lunch Square(31.0%)我们发现不仅这些空间中有较多良好品质的可坐之处,而且其附近建筑中有较多酒吧、咖啡厅、餐馆或是相似闲聊之所。而在Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral Square的聊天活动较少,因为附近的服务设施不多。
(7)自发性的活动多。除了Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral Square以外,其他2个广场与5条步行街上的自发性休闲活动很多样,包括“散步”、“玩滑板”、“看看四周人们的活动”等。一般来说,这种自发性的休闲活动越多,开敞空间的设计与规划就越成功。本调查说明这些空间的设计都比较成功。
(8)活动丰富性在工作日和周末日差异较大。Chavasse Park、Urban Strawberry Lunch Square的使用者认为周末时的活动要比工作日时丰富。相反,在University of Liverpool Square,人们认为工作日要比周末的活动更丰富。其他两个空间差不多。总体上说,工作日活动与周末的活动丰富性和参与人数才差异还是比较大的,主要取决于空间的地理位置。
6.3 Observations
问卷主要调查的是空间中的停留者,这可能存在偏差,所以除了问卷以外,本研究通过大量的现场观察来揭示使用者活动的规律。
Gehl, J在《Life between buildings》中提到,公共空间的户外活动分为三种类型:必要性活动、自发性活动和社会性活动。其中必要性活动在各种社会条件下必要性活动是人类因为生存而必须的活动,它基本上不受环境品质的影响;选择性活动就是像饭后散步等根据心情、环境等做出决定的休憩类活动,与环境品质有很大的关系;社交性活动,如在公园里的聚会、在步行商业街里聊天等,都是社交性活动。在社会生活中,必要性、选择性、社交性活动交汇发生,尤其是后两种活动对公共空间环境的要求越来越高,越来越需要对人性的关注。这里的研究主要针对后两种行为方式的观察分析。观察证据显示:
(1)行走和穿越为主的行为。除了Chavasse Park以外,其他开敞空间中行走和穿越是开敞空间中的最主要活动。调查发现,从Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral出来的人流中,在广场上停留人数只有约15%。
下表表示在University of Liverpool Square南北方向进出的人群中,穿越者与停留活动者的人数比例。从该表中可以发现,76%的人穿越步行街时未做停留。
(2)大量坐的行为和对座位的强烈需要。休息片刻是开敞空间最主要的停留活动,所以对座位的强烈需要是开敞空间活动的主要特征。
下表表示2012年7月和8月的2个周末和一个工作日下午Chavasse Park人们活动的统计。该广场上坐的人很多,其次是在广场上玩耍的人。
(3)停留性行为与空间中的设施有关。停留性活动与开敞空间提供的设施有关,特别是与座位和商业设施有关。Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral Square的停留性活动大多数与广场上的咖啡厅有关。Urban Strawberry Lunch Square和University of Liverpool Square的停留性活动也主要与座位和边上的餐饮店有关。Chavasse Park的活动最复杂,一是与广场的阶梯座位有关,二是与附近的餐饮有关,三是与广场上正在发生的活动有关。
(4)特殊事件丰富了开敞空间的活动。当开敞空间中有特殊事件发生,则会吸引更多的活动。譬如喷泉开始喷水、广场上开始有表演、商业推销和物品展示等的时候,或是突然放飞鸽子,开敞空间活动会变得异常丰富。这在Chavasse Park、University of Liverpool Square表现得非常明显。其他开敞空间也有类似的展演活动来吸引人流。
(5)可达性对行为的影响。可达性对活动有很大影响。对Chavasse Park的观察发现,公园西侧的小路与东侧的大型阶梯上的人流差异极大,连1/10的街面的人流也没有。
(6)不同时段的行为方式。观察发展,空间的活力表现在不同时段。以Chavasse Park为例,白天时广场上行为主要表现在休息和饮食,而晚上时广场内人群的主要行为是聊天或参加小型晚会等活动。
6.4 Analysis of the relationship between surrounding environment and people's behavior
6.41 步行与环境的关系
步行是一种交通类型,一种走动方式,但它也为进入公共空间环境提供了简便易行的方法。一个人的一次步行外出可能兼有公务、观光或散步的目的,也可能分三次做这些事情。
散步是居民典型活动之一,散步可以愉悦身心、放松紧张工作一天的心情,是人们所喜爱的一件事情。散步需要一定的场所,比如林荫小道,草坪上的路径等。人们散步主要是为了放松,所以散步需要空间,使人们不受阻碍和推搡,不太费神和能够自由地行走,根据调查研究,人们在散步同时还做其他的事情,如和同伴聊天、想心事、看风景等。为了达到这些目的,人们通常选择路面较平坦或有微小起伏路面弹性好、路旁有些景物能提供欣赏的路径散步。
6.42 停留和环境的关系
无论是短暂的非礼节性的停留还是真正的功能性停留,这一类活动发生的地方,如果有人停留下来等着做某件事或见某个人,或者欣赏周围景致等各种活动,就存在找一个地方站一会儿的问题。
根据调查,驻足停留观看的居民所站的地方,是能够很好欣赏景致的方位角度,并且可以倚在树身或栏杆上,既可以观景,又可以歇息。熟人相遇,打招呼寒暄是必要性的活动,没有人事先知道交谈的长短,并且参与者不可能建议把会见移到一个更合适的地方。故驻足交谈人群随处可见。但交谈时间久了,他们会就近倚靠一些设施,如灯柱、栏杆、树身等,如果是因为等人而停留的,除非是事先约好的,那么他们一般都会站在可以欣赏景物的地方或有东西可倚靠的地方。
凹处是人们驻足逗留的好去处,它提供了一种富有吸引力的半私密态势,人只有部分朝外,如果希望更私密些,只要略为向阴处后退就行了。人站在树或建筑物周围,比站在外面的空间暴露得要少一些,并且不会影响任何人或物的通行。这样又暴露得不多,个人领域减少至面前的一个半圆,当人背后受到保护时,他人只能从面前走过,观察与反应就容易多了。
6.43 休息和环境的关系
开放空间环境中的草坪、座椅,可供倚靠或躺的设施大部分都是为人们的歇息准备的,使用这些设施的人们到处可见,他们独坐或几个人围坐在一起,或躺在草坪上,或看书、或看风景、或下棋、或聊天。
单独小坐歇息的人,多是在看风景或书报,一般的设施都可以满足他们的要求,但这些设施应该靠近枝叶繁茂的大树,优美的雕塑等风景。至于交谈聊天,认识的人们在一起,交谈聊天是绝不可能避免的,在公共空间环境中交谈聊天,这就存在他们需要一个交谈的地方的问题,当然,在任何一个角落,他们都可以交谈聊天,但他们都喜欢坐下来交谈,这就需要有可以供坐的设施了,如座椅,台阶,矮柱等。如果是情人的交往,因为情人的情话和亲密举措都是不希望人们看见的,就需要一个局部隐蔽的地方,也就是说,这个地方要具有私密性,如带挡风墙的长凳或者长凳周围有茂密的植物围合等。
6.5 Analysis of the importance of infrastructure
基础设施需要位置合理、数量充足且使用方便。这里特别要强调的是座椅与遮阳设施。
6.51 座椅的设置
(1) 座椅的位置。
前面提到的“边界效应”也可以用来解释人们对座椅位置的要求。通常靠近空间边缘(如建筑物、道路、数木等)的位置比位于空间当中的位置更容易被人们选中。但是在实际的场地
设计中,座椅的位置可能并不是根据人的需求决定的,而只是设计师追求图案美化的一个手段而已,因此造成很多座椅使用不方便,人们很难进行交流等问题。建议在布置座椅时,位置须经过慎重选择,并在场地、空间中多树立一些介质,以形成多样的边界空间,继而沿边界空间布置座椅,满足人群活动的需求。
(2) 座椅的布置方式。
座椅的布置方式要综合考虑三方面因素: --组合座椅之间的位置关系可以直接影响到使用这组座椅的人群的交往方式,是积极主动还是消极被动。--座椅和周边环境之间的位置关系也是一个重要因素,周边环境舒适与否直接影响了使用者的心情,比如旁边有垃圾桶的座椅一般都无人使用。--布置座椅时,还要考虑到座椅的朝向和视野等。通常,可以看到全局的位置总是比较受欢迎。
(3) 座椅的舒适度。
座椅的舒适度是影响人们停留时间的关键因素。并不一定是越舒适越好,而要视设计者的意图而定。另外,要提供形式多样的座椅,以支持多种多样的活动方式——安静学习、等待同学、交谈、聚会甚至聚餐等各类行为方式。根据调查问卷的答案,41%的被访者认为座椅数量不能满足,65%认为座椅不够舒适。
6.52 遮阳避雨设施
遮阳避雨是比较矛盾的问题——既要满足冬季人群对日照的需要,又须避免夏季太阳的过度直射以及淋雨的问题。通过问卷调研显示,34%的被访者希望有配套的遮阳避雨措施。但根据从前在冬季的观察,广场的中午人群使用数目最多,可见冬日阳光的重要性。因此,建议采用可拆卸的遮阳避雨措施,满足不同季节的需求。
7. Conclusion and recommendation
7.1 Summary & Conclusion
城市空间的设计既是一种科学行为,又是一种文化行为,是对某一地域城市环境中的人类生活方式和行为等一系列生存权益集合的规划设计,与人的行为活动密切相关,同时,人的行为活动又往往按年龄、社会习惯、兴趣爱好、宗教信仰乃至性别的不同,而形成各自的领域,这就需要我们认真的关心和研究人的行为活动对空间设计的要求和影响。
This essay analyses the results of an investigation in Liverpool city, Merseyside, England into local citizens aspirations for different types of urban open space related to the social functions. The result will serve in the improvement of urban design decision for making renovation of some public space design which will contribute urban greenery system planning in Liverpool. As an enjoyable place in the cities, open space design should begin with an understanding of the future use of the property, and the proper design will be unique to a specific site and should be based on a careful review process.
一系列的因素会导致人们不同的行为表现,例如不同的空间性质及功能,不同的地理位置,不同的服务设施,甚至不同的时间段等等。另外,在调查中发现,开敞空间中活动是丰富和多样的,其中行走与穿越是最主要方面。在停留活动中主要是坐、休息以及观赏风景为主,所以对座位设施和视觉景观有大量需要。活动内容与空间的性质和功能有关。步行街活动存在三种明显的取向,即餐饮休闲、购物休闲和观光休闲。
开敞空间中的空间功能越是多样,空间中的活动就越丰富,人们对空间也就越满意。周末和工作日的人流量和活动的丰富程度有较大的差异,主要取决于其周围环境的性质。总体上开敞空间人流密度是比较高的。
7.2 Design recommendation
7.21 活动模式
广场,其基本需要都大同小异:适当的空间;夏天遮阳、避雨;冬天向阳;适当的辅助设施(如坐处、基本照明、厕所);基本的治安保障和卫生条件等。
过大过旷的广场平时总是冷冷清清,处于人员不足的状态,城市需要适当地建一些广场,但也并非广场越大、越广、越多就越好。充分利用城市空间多建小型广场,既有利于市民的日常户外活动,也有利于加强社区意识。
7.22 场所偏爱
凡保持人气旺盛的公共空间,都具有良好的绿化基础——大树成荫,芳草萋萋。在现代城市混凝土广场中,这样的环境尤其宝贵。良好绿化的环境至少需要几十年的营造与保护才能形成气候,而这样的环境一旦形成,因地制宜稍做修整后便可成为宜人的休闲场所,而且并不需要昂贵的维护费用,也不需要过多的人工修护,因为这样的环境本身就充满了生机。
7.23 景观效果
观赏草坪、铺地、小品、花坛、喷泉水景和景观灯,常常被视为现代城市广场不可缺少的要素。不可否认,从相邻的高楼向下俯瞰,这些要素的确能制造视觉轰动。但高昂的运行和维护费用使许多广场的小品成了摆设,以致空旷的大面积硬质铺地在夏季成为呆不住人的地方,忽视了步行游人的基本需要和实地体验。
越是人工化的场所,越是需要适当的人气烘托场景。冷清的广场折射出城市的衰落。树林在人多时有利于分散活动,使人在不同的空间中各得其所,减少了拥挤感;而在人少时则显得自然、幽静而迷人。集树成林,也为百鸟提供了栖息的家园,同样能使环境充满活力,也为城市绿地引来了天然卫士。人工场所年久失修后显得破烂陈旧,树木却越是年久越有魅力,环境效益和景观价值越高。树不仅能净化空气、改善小气候、过滤噪声,在炎炎夏日为游人遮阳,而且远观也是一道美丽的风景——随着一年四季的雨雪风霜变换着色彩、姿态和面貌。一天中不同时辰看树也会有不同的感觉。因此,前人留下的树木不仅是宝贵的生态资源,也是宝贵的风景资源,应该倍加爱惜。另外,过分的人工化不仅造成景观的破坏,而且使生态更加脆弱。重视自然资源,显山露水,绿化美化,必将使城市外部空间的质量得到进一步的提高。
虽然强调植树的重要性,但是也不能盲目的增加绿地。首先,在开放空间的设计中,绿化面积及空间大小要控制好,即要大而不空,小而不挤。其次,绿化空间设计应注意可进入性,即绿化设计应注意与铺地、小路相结合,成片的绿化可以利用不怕踩压的草种,如爬根草、结缕草等。使人可以在草地上坐躺,充分享受与自然的亲近。另外,绿化设计可以构成空间,利用草坪和矮灌木作为界面,暗示出空间的边界,成组布置的灌木可以构成侧面界面,使空间随种植形式和疏密程度的不同而产生围合感。
7.24 基地的外部交通
调查显示,开放空间的外部交通同样会对使用者的行为产生影响。人们一旦离主干道太近就会增加人的不安全感,但是过远的外部交通将会影响空间的通达性等等问题。另外,外部交通还会产生噪音,因此,在城市开放空间的设计中,如何平衡外部交通是一项需要考虑的问题。座椅等公共设施可以稍微远离空间的边缘区域,尤其是靠近外部交通主干道的边缘;或者在空间的边缘区域设置一定距离的绿化带,使其产生一定的隔离效果。
7.25 步行道路的设计
街道作为领域的扩展,需要保持开放空间与街道环境在功能上的密切关系。为工作学习之余暇设置娱乐场地和人际间交流思想感情的场所。人行道路设计应采用景观铺装,不仅要解决道路的基本功能(道路的弹力,排水透水性,平坦性,视觉性等),而且要注重与周围环境的协调,地域个性的表现和亲切度,另外道路缘石,排水侧沟,路灯等道路附属都要精心考虑.
7.26 基地周边的功能支持
通过调查显示,城市开放空间周边环境的功能会严重影响开放空间内使用者的行为。问卷中‘你是否常来的决定因素’中,22%的人选择了‘靠近cafe、餐馆’。所以,一些餐馆、咖啡店、超市、书店以及其他类商店会在一定程度上为广场引入潜在的使用者,从而增加人流量,提升开放空间的活力。在城市开放空间的设计中,要适当的考虑其周边环境的功能设计。