Investigating the role of spatial configuration on visitors’ spatial cognition in health-care spaces: case studies in Gilan, Iran
Article
Article Title | Investigating the role of spatial configuration on visitors’ spatial cognition in health-care spaces: case studies in Gilan, Iran |
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ERA Journal ID | 35980 |
Article Category | Article |
Authors | Mehrinejad Khotbehsara, Elham (Author), Safari, Hossein (Author), Askarizad, Reza (Author) and Somasundaraswaran, Kathirgamalingam (Author) |
Journal Title | Facilities |
Journal Citation | 40 (9-10), pp. 617-637 |
Number of Pages | 21 |
Year | 2022 |
Publisher | Emerald |
Place of Publication | United Kingdom |
ISSN | 0263-2772 |
1758-7131 | |
Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.1108/F-07-2021-0067 |
Web Address (URL) | https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/F-07-2021-0067/full/html |
Abstract | Purpose: This study aims to explore the impact of spatial configuration on behavioral patterns of visitors in the ground floor of health-care spaces. Design/methodology/approach: In this study, the Space Syntax analysis was used to combine visibility graph analysis and axial line analysis with empirical observation of visitors' activities. Two types of observation methods on visitors were conducted to discover the behavioral patterns of individuals, respectively, named 'gate counts' and 'people following.' Findings The outcomes of this research revealed that the spatial arrangements of pathways, public areas, vertical circulations, entrance space, lobby, emergency department, reception desk and pharmacy have a significant influence on the way that visitors perceive the health-care environment. Research limitations/implications The current research is limited to two aspects of effective wayfinding (configuration of health care and geometry). Future work can investigate the other potential factors coupled with the current factor as an integrated research for enhancing wayfinding and sustaining accessibility. Another limitation is that the observation results for this study had been conducted before the COVID-19 pandemic and future studies can compare these results with the current COVID-19 situation within health care environments. Originality/value: A large amount of research has focused on the needs of populations in developed countries. This topic has not been investigated thoroughly by professionals in developing countries such as Iran. Accordingly, this study benefits environmental psychologists and architects by revealing the effective characteristics of legible spaces in health-care environments. |
Keywords | Wayfinding, Cognitive map, Space Syntax, Public spaces, Health-care facilities, Visitors’ perception |
Contains Sensitive Content | Does not contain sensitive content |
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020 | 330102. Architectural design |
400501. Architectural engineering | |
400512. Transport engineering | |
Public Notes | Files associated with this item cannot be displayed due to copyright restrictions. |
Byline Affiliations | University of Southern Queensland |
Islamic Azad University, Iran | |
East China Normal University, China | |
School of Engineering | |
Institution of Origin | University of Southern Queensland |
https://research.usq.edu.au/item/q7532/investigating-the-role-of-spatial-configuration-on-visitors-spatial-cognition-in-health-care-spaces-case-studies-in-gilan-iran
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