Built Environment and Aesthetics ii

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The Built Environment and Aesthetics: Exploring the Impacts of Urban Form on Behavioral Patterns Camilo Lopez FAU School of Urban and Regional Planning URP 6200 Planimetrics Fall 2014

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Overview of Study

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Quantitative Research Study

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Analyzing the relationship between behavioral patterns and aesthetics of built environment

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3 Study Sites within South Florida Region

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Purpose of Study Determine the effect of

Built environment aesthetics on

Social behavioral patterns

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Purpose of Study

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What is the extent to which people’s happiness and/or sadness are Linked to the aesthetics of the built environment[buildings around them] ?

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Problem Zoning,

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local and federal policy-makers [+planners] are not

concerned with the aesthetical values of the built environment.

Florida Land Development Regulations (FLDR),

in regulating to prevent negative aesthetic impacts, the real question is whether it is the appearance of the use or structure itself that is of concern or the impact of that appearance; is the regulation to prevent ugly uses or structures or to prevent the appearance of the use or structure from negatively impacting other areas, uses, or

Lack of Public Interest, general public is adapted to the “bound rationality� of policy-makers. Economic Rationality,

structures.

built efficient, inexpensive, and fast paced.

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Research Question + Hypothesis

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• Question: Q. What is the impact of the built environment aesthetics on individual behavioral patterns? • Hypothesis: h1. People that are constantly in the presence of aesthetical built forms are happier, uplifted, positive, and optimistic. h2. People that are constantly in the presence of non aesthetical built forms are sad, depress, negative, and mad.

Research proposal

Literature Review 1. Literature Survey Methodology 2. Literature on Aesthetics 3. Literature on Built Environment 4. Literature on Healthy Communities 5. Literature on Scientific Research 6. Literature Summary + Filling the Knowledge Gap

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Literature Survey Method Source George D. Birkhoff "Aesthetic Measure"

Keywords

Symmetry Polygon Chord Aesthetics Ornaments Musical Notes Forms Simple Elements Harmony Value Feeling Dylan Happiness Kendall Public "Aesthetics Space and Architecture Happiness: Feeling How Space Color Affects Well Beauty Being" Healthy Living

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Research Question

Conclusion

Recommendation

The branch of knowledge called aesthetics is concerned primarily w/ this aesthetics/ value feeling and the aesthetic object which produces it.

The act of aesthetic perception is made up of three phases 1. Attentive Perception 2. Aesthetic Enjoyment 3. Explicit recognition of order or harmony in the object.

If there be superadded the mental energy and interest requisite for aesthetic experience, the recognition of its form will be collectively comprehended.

Do Architects and Interior Designers agree that space has a very real impact on how we feel?

If we know we respond emotionally to space them how do we justify creating spaces that will suppress creative thinking -the cornerstone of today's economy.

While we are not able to create spaces that aesthetically please every user, we can certainly create spaces that consciously manipulate aesthetic elements to encourage more meaningful, joyful experiences.

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Literature Survey on Aesthetics

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Definition: The relationship between the mental values/ideal/ feelings with the physical values/characteristics/object.

Birkhoff

Mental Ideal/Value

Physical Value/Characteristic

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Literature Survey on Aesthetics

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Method to Measure: The act of aesthetic perception is made up of three phases Birkhoff 1.

Attentive Perception

2.

Aesthetic Enjoyment

3.

Explicit Recognition of Order and harmony in the object

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Literature of Built Environment

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The built environment provides the "play ground" and setting by which people live their lives, and it impacts their senses, emotions, participation in physical activity and community life, their sense of community, and the general well being of society.

(Butterworth, 2000)

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Literature of Healthy Communities Prevention Post "live a healthy life“ 25 most happiest, healthiest cities in America

Attributes: Disease Health • • • • •

Low Cancer Rates Low Diabetes Rates Low Heart Disease Rates Healthy hearts Healthy Cholesterol Levels

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Literature of Healthy Communities Prevention Post "live a healthy life“ 25 most happiest, healthiest cities in America

Attributes: Physical Health • • • • • •

High Levels of Pedestrian Activity Walking to Work High Levels of Bike ridership High number of Gyms/ Fitness Centers Workout Land Well Planned Park Systems

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Literature of Healthy Communities Prevention Post "live a healthy life“ 25 most happiest, healthiest cities in America

Attributes: Mental Health • • • • • • •

High Number of College Graduates Educated Society Optimistic + Most Active High Percentage of People with Health Coverage Low Crime Rates Low Unemployment Rates Low Level of Psychiatric Treated People

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Scientific Literature

Medical Daily: Researchers say that no gene can define anyone’s happiness.

A person’s outlook on life is often shaped to a large degree By the physical world and previous recollection.

35-50% Genetic

Component

50-65% External

Component

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Scientific Literature

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Scientific Literature:

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Embodied Cognition

Encyclopedia of Philosophy: The formative role that the environment plays in the development of mental process in acquiring knowledge and understanding through thought, experience, and senses.

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Literature Summary:

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Filling the Knowledge Gap •

Aesthetic Brings

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Built Environment

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Healthy Communities

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Scientist Say

Happiness [uplifting] Values [caring] Feelings [good emotions] Shapes how we feel Promotes activity Physical activity Low disease rates Education Aesthetics on built forms More than 50% of Happiness is external

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Research Design: Quantitative Research Method

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Determine the level of impact of aesthetically built environment on behavior • Defensive Behavior • Communication Behavior • Territorial Behavior • Optimistic Behavior

2.

Determine the level of impact of aesthetically built environment on socio-economic indicators • Income • Education • Occupation

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Research Design: Methodology 1. Identify 3 study areas in the South Florida Region Defined by level of aesthetics of built environment:

LOW

MEDIUM

HIGH

None

Attentive Perception: Color Aesthetic Enjoyment Level of Detail

Attentive Perception: Hierarchy Color Iconic Aesthetic Enjoyment: Comfortable Level of Detail Explicit Recognition of Order and Harmony: Symmetry Likeness

**Note: All sites shall constitute at least 75% of the established criteria.

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Research Design: Methodology

2. Identify participants [shall constitute 50% of the total population of the study area] Defined by level of permanence within the study area [daily basis]:

2 hour

4 hour

8 hour

Lightly engaged by passer

Moderate engaged Sporadic appearance

Fully engaged Working position

**Note: All participants shall constitute at least 75% of the established rubric.

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Research Design: Methodology [sample]

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3. Interviews/Survey Analysis [hear it from the participants] Defined behavioral patterns + aesthetics + building quality a. Happiness b. Aesthetics: c. Building

How Happy would you say you are? where 0 means extremely unhappy where 10 means extremely happy How important would you say aesthetics means to you? where 0 means extremely unimportant where 10 means extremely important How satisfy would you say you are with the building where you work? where 0 means extremely satisfied where 10 means extremely unsatisfied

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Research Design: Methodology [sample]

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3. Interviews/Survey Analysis [hear it from the participants] Defined behavioral patterns + aesthetics + building d. Aggression e. Communication f. Territorial

How Aggressive would you say you are? where 0 means extremely not aggressive where 10 means extremely aggressive How Communicative would you say you are? where 0 means extremely introvert where 10 means extremely outspoken How important would you say personal space means to you? where 0 means extremely not important where 10 means extremely important

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Research Design: Methodology [sample]

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3. Interviews/Survey Analysis [hear it from the participants] Defined behavioral patterns + aesthetics + building g. Optimistic h. Color i. Order

How positive would you say you are? where 0 means extremely not positive where 10 means extremely positive How important would you say color means to you? where 0 means extremely not important where 10 means extremely important How orderly of a person would you say you are? where 0 means extremely disorganized where 10 means extremely organized

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Research Design: Methodology [sample]

4. Mental Image Analysis [hear it from the participants] Defined Level of hierarchy based on memory: Level of Hierarchy

Element

Characteristic

Color

Shape

High

column

classical

white

vertical tube

Low Mid

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Research Design: Methodology [sample] 5. Visual Analysis [hear it from the participants] Defined tendencies on aesthetic impulses: Which one will make you happier?

Option A

Option B

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Research Design: Methodology [sample] 6. Observation [Looking at the participants] Defined tendencies on behavior based on physical elements:

Gender I Location I Clothing I Shoes I Tech Devices I Mode of Mobility Male

blue building

business

dress

i-phone

Female

red building

sport

running mp3

car walking

**note: analysis shall be conducted to participants based on the criteria. All results shall conclude in a behavioral profile based on the physical appearance

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Research Design: Methodology [sample]

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7. Socio-economic Analysis [Looking at the participants] Defined participants profile based on statistical data: • • • • •

Level of Income Education Attainment Occupation Race/ethnicity Age group

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Research Design: Tabulation 1. Socio-economic Profile Defined participants profile based on statistical data: Group one

Low Income

Group two

Mid-Income

Group three

High-Income

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Research Design: Tabulation 2. Aesthetic Building Profile Defined by participants input: Group one

Low

Group two

Mid

Group three

High

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Research Design: Tabulation 3. Behavioral Profile Defined by participants input: Group one

Sad

Group two

Comfort

Group three

Happy

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Research Design: Tabulation Results [sample]

Generate matrix to compare socio-economic profiles and behavioral patterns with aesthetical buildings Defined by participants input: Building type

Socio-economic

Behavioral pattern

Low Aesthetics

Low

Aggression

Mid Aesthetics High Aesthetics

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Results and Tabulation • • • • • • • • • • •

Data collected Socioeconomic conditions [profiles] Observations Interviews + surveys Secondary data [statistical data] Priorities [1,2,3] Behavioral patterns Psychological science analysis [observation] Identification of variables Triangulation Building relations between variables

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Research Design: Timeframe Defined by phases: • •

Start [kickoff] Phase 1

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Phase 2

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Phase 3

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Phase 4

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Phase 5

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Phase 6

research proposal Psychological analysis of Human perception Behavior Patterns Analysis Site Selection Participant Selection Interviews + Surveys Mental Image Analysis Visual Analysis Observation Socio-economic Analysis Tabulation Results Deliver + Publication

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Research Design: Tentative Hypothesis The null and alternative hypothesis are as follows: case 1 H0 : H1 : case 2 H0 : H2:

There are no repercussions on individual behavioral patterns in relation to the built environment There are repercussions on individual behavioral patterns in relation to the built environment There are no repercussions on individual behavioral patterns in relation to aesthetics of buildings There are repercussions on individual behavioral patterns in relation to aesthetics of buildings

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Contribution + Significance

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Find a systematic procedure to analyze how building aesthetics affects how people feel.

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Use to prescribe adequate building forms [to policy-makers] that would trigger desirable behavioral outcomes.

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Understand the complex interrelationship of perception, behavior, feelings, and aesthetics of built environment.

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The Keywords + Tags

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Final Thought

“WE SHAPE OUR CITIES,AND AFTERWARDS THEY SHAPE US”

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References

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Butterworth, I. (2000). The Relationship Between the Built Environment and Well Beign: A Literature Review.

Victorian Health Promotion Foundation , 3-46.

Cerin, E. (2011). Statistical Approaches to Testing the Relationships of the Built Environment with Resident-Level Physical Activity Behavior and Health Outcomes in Cross-Sectional Studies with Cluster Sampling. Journal of Planning Literature , 151-167.

Gunder, M. (2011). Commentary: Is Urban Design Still Urban Planning? An Exploration and Response. Journal of Planning Education and Research , 184-195.

Krizek, K. J., & Roland, R. W. (2005). What is at the end of the road? Understanding discontinuities of on-street bicycle lanes in urban settings. Transportation Research Part D , 10, 55-68.

Luc Anselin, J. L. (2011). Where Do Planners Belong? Assessing the Relationship between Planning and Design in American Universities. Journal of Planning Education and Research 2011 31 , 196–207.

Mohamed, R. (2006). The Psychology of Residential Developers: Lessons from Behavioral Economics and Additional Explanations for Satisficing. Journal of Planning Education and Research , 28-37.

Phillip, R. (2001). Aesthetic Quality of the Built and Natural Environment: Why does it Matter? In W. P. Rusticali, Green Cities: Blue Cities of Europe (pp. 225-247). Rimini, Italy: WHO Collaborating Centre for Tourist Health and Travel Medicine.

Ross, A. R. (2014). Health Impact Assessments and Healthy Schools. Journal of Planning Education and Research , 141–152.

Thompson, J. L. (2014). The Three Domains of Urban Planning for Health and Well-being. Journal of Planning Literature , 239-256.

Triantafillou, M. A. (2005). Reflections on the Pedagogy of Place in Planning and Urban Design. Journal of Planning Education and Research , 25-75.

Verma, N. (1996). Pragmatic Rationality and Planning Theory. Journal of Planning Education and Research , 5-14.

Zacharias, J. (2001). Pedestrian Behavior Pedestrian Behavior and Perception in Urban Walking Environments.

Journal of Planning Literature , 3-18.

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Thank you Camilo Lopez clopez31@fau.edu