Impact of the degree of enclosure on the use of in-between spaces in residential neighbourhoods: The case of Bejaia, Algeria

Salima Medjkoune (Corresponding / Lead Author), Yassine Bada, Hocine Bougdah

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    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.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)122-140
    Number of pages19
    JournalInternational Review for Spatial Planning and Sustainable Development
    Volume11
    Issue number1
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished (VoR) - 15 Jan 2023

    Keywords

    • In-between spaces
    • Neighbourhood
    • Physical enclosureindicator
    • Social life
    • Space use

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