4.4 Findings

Do y ou feel th e sen se of commu n ity h as b een lost d u rin g th e regen era�on p rogramme?

Note : By, Author (2022)

Crea�ng a social space cannot be a standalone feature of an urban development; it o�en arises from crea�ng the posi�ve infrastructure previously men�oned. Finding the balance between a safe and social area can be created through the use of ac�ve and green zones. In many rural areas the sense of community is strong and is the founda�on for many day to day social interac�ons, but this is a feeling o�en lost with the densifica�on of areas. There is currently a mixed view in Bordon and Whitehill over the sense of community with 45% of the respondents feeling the sense of community has been at least ‘somewhat’ lost. This loss will in turn have a nega�ve impact on overall social ac�vity and therefore reduce happiness. Although, over�me with the correct spaces in place the sense of community can be rebuilt.

Note : By, Author (2022)

One key way that the community spirit can be rebuilt is through ensuring the spaces created are populated. Although, with an increase in popula�on it is expected that spaces will be busier this is only the case if there is sufficient infrastructure for the occupants to use. 86% of respondents sta�ng a busier feeling indicates that the new people moving into the area are using the local infrastructure; an aspect which will help to improve community engagement and therefore sociability.

Note : By, Author (2022)

The previous findings, that the idea that the new residents in the area are using the local ameni�es, is backed up by the response to ques�on 15 (figure 33). 62% stated that they either do not ‘bump’ into friends more or are unsure; even with the majority also sta�ng they have no�ced the areas are busier. This presents that the spaces are being occupied by both exis�ng and ‘new residents. If the community con�nue to occupy the new prosocial spaces introduced (figure 34) the ‘new’ residents will integrate into the community well. This will help to improve social interac�on between all residents; increasing the chance of altruism (Mental health founda�on, N.D.). The development of third spaces in the area have increased the social interac�on through the use of encouragement to populate spaces, this current non-direct contact between residents will eventually turn into more direct engagement, boos�ng happiness (Roe & McCay, 2021).

Figure 35: Perceived : Question 17

In y ou r op in ion h as th e local in f rastru ctu re imp rov ed (sch ools, lib rary etc.)?

Note : By, Author (2022)

In order to allow for both new and exis�ng residents to socialise they need to be using the same spaces; the infrastructure needs to be available. Contradic�ng the previous examina�ons that all residents are indirectly socialising 62% of par�cipants do not see an improvement in infrastructure. This although, was an expected response with many of the future developments planned to include infrastructural improvement (Avison Young & Urban Place Lab, 2019). This improvement in infrastructure will not only be important for the happiness of the area but also the stability of the economy, an aspect cri�cal in any urban development, but the lack of current improvement has not yet nega�vely impacted the sociability.

Although, as with any percep�on there is an overall mixed view surrounding sociability many posi�ves have arisen regarding the subject. The community spirit, although may have been slightly lost currently, seems to have the required developments in place to be rebuilt with a higher popula�on. With some people using the new developments more frequently it is important to understand why. There is a close link between where people feel safe and their socialisa�on. The respondents who felt safer in the new areas also have felt the benefits of an improved socialisa�on, in most cases. So, it is clear that in order to help the whole community come together as one overall percep�on of safety also needs to improve.

Figure 36: Key Findings

Perceived Experienced

An increase in percep�on of crime rates. Li�le change in crime rates.

Increase percep�on of use of vehicle usage in area.

Some street widths are no�ceably wider.

Increase in popula�on has not had an impact on safety.

Aesthe�c improvement has increased probability of being ac�ve.

New loca�on of town centre will improve ac�ve transport.

Increase in street width no�ced, although not used more yet.

Interven�ons have been no�ced but have not increased ac�vity of all.

Mixed views - some feel an increase in access, others feel no change.

Percep�on that the quality of green space has not increased is clear, in most responses.

Very clear view that amount of green space has decreased in the area.

Crime

Motor Vehicles

Street Widths

Populated Spaces

Increase use of vehicle usage in area.

Some streets have had an increase in width.

Increase popula�on has increased use of new spaces.

Aesthe�c of place

Proximity of ameni�es

Street Widths

Aerobic Interven�ons

Access Quality Quan�ty

Mixed views, some feel no change, some feel a loss and some feel an increase.

The spaces around the town have a percep�on of being busier.

Spaces are currently causing indirect social interac�on between unknown people.

The community feel the local infrastructure has not been improved.

Note : By, Author (2022)

Sense of Community

Populated Spaces

Pro social spaces

Local Infrastructure

New green and infrastructural improvements improve overall aesthe�c.

New ameni�es are situated closer to more of the community - they are centralised.

Some streets have had an increase in width.

Various different interven�ons developed in the area.

Aerobic interven�ons have increased the accessibility of green spaces.

A boost in biodiversity a�empted, although difficult to replicate completely natural areas.

A slight decrease in green space in the area.

Large amounts of ‘new’ people in the area may interrupt the community spirit.

Increase popula�on has meant the spaces are more populated o�en.

Amount of ‘third spaces’ has increased in and around new infrastructure.

Steps have been taken to improve infrastructure but plans are in progress for further development.

O v erall h as th e d ev elop men t of Bord on an d Wh iteh ill mad e y ou more or less h ap p y (5 = mu ch h ap p ier 1 = Mu ch less h ap p y )?

Note : By, Author (2022)

“Most people who tell researchers they are happy are not only telling the truth but are right” (Montgomery, 2013). This allows the response to ques�on 18 to be considered in regards to the effect of previous outcomes men�oned. Happiness within Bordon and Whitehill has been posi�vely impacted by the urbanisa�on process; an unlikely outcome based on the reviewed, mostly nega�ve, literature. At a base level it is promising to gain an understanding that the ‘Healthy New Towns’ development is having a posi�ve impact on happiness during the urbanisa�on process. But, in order to understand why this is the case it was important to consider the factors that help create happiness so that they can be replicated in future developments. As perceived and experienced have not previously been considered simultaneously placing an importance on one or the other is crucial to this research.

In terms of safety, the experienced is more influen�al on the overall increased happiness. Although, an increase in crime had been felt the experienced minimal change has meant there has not been a decrease in overall happiness. It has also become apparent that vehicular usage in the area has less of an impact than Gehl, 2010, suggested. Although this is as a result of the counterac�on caused by the simultaneous increase in path width, and more populated areas (Jacobs, 1961).

The ac�vity in the area is a component which influences happiness dras�cally. The results discovered that the considera�on of being ac�ve has been a key focus on the urbanisa�on process that the community have realised and appreciate but are not yet using. Again this indicates the importance of the experienced over perceived. With the improvement in aesthe�c, closeness of ameni�es and interven�ons to encourage ac�vity the community will subconsciously become more ac�ve (Roe and McCay, 2021) and therefore feel the neurological benefits (Lathia, et al, 2017).

The benefits of green space are well established but o�en less obvious to the community (Wilson, 1984). Therefore, again the posi�ve experienced aspects considered are the reasoning for the overall improvement in happiness. Although, a slight reduc�on in green space has been recorded the overall increase in quality (biodiversity) and access, even if not no�ced, have overall increased the posi�ve impacts felt by green space (Channon, 2018). The percep�on of socialisa�on was mixed. Although, the posi�ve impacts of the experienced aspects of the other three components can be seen. An actual improvement in aerobic interven�on, green space (quality and access) and more populated spaces all help to improve socialisa�on. Similarly to being ac�ve in the area the community have no�ced the interven�ons designed in order to increase socialisa�on but do not perceive them as being successful. Based on the overall happiness results it is clear that the majority of the community are again subconsciously feeling the benefits of an a more social urban design (Harré, 2012), placing the importance on the experienced over percep�on.

In regards to the conclusions made from each sec�on the focus has been placed on the majority. As with all percep�ons different views have been presented throughout. Although, an importance has been placed on the experienced, it is required to consider this in combina�on with the perceived; the 11 respondents having felt a nega�ve impact on their happiness is as a result of their percep�on of different components; percep�on of place cannot be ignored.

This research was undertaken in order to establish how urbanisa�on of a rural area is affec�ng happiness and the components that make up this feeling. The topic is cri�cal in a contemporary urban design as the link between mental health and the built environment is becoming more clear. The study has developed a defini�on of happiness in terms of the built environment spli�ng the feeling into four more measurable components; Safe, Ac�ve, Green and Social. Although, these embed most aspects considered within the feeling of happiness, it is a complex feeling that has evaded society throughout �me so they could change / develop over �me; this cannot be the end of this research.

The results from the study are contradic�ng what was expected based on the nega�ve impact of moving from rural urban zones previously presented. A more common feeling of being happier was found in the Bordon and Whitehill area; a promising outlook on contemporary urban design. It has also developed some recommenda�ons based on aspects both done well and others that could have helped the project be even more successful. Recommenda�ons that need to be considered in all future urban developments.

Design at both a Birds eye and street view level

- Will allow for an positive impact on both perceived and experienced happiness

1Improve ac�ve travel from the outset (preferably through nature)

- - Will increase safety, boost brain function and reduce stress

3 -

2Increase amount of pro-social third spaces (preferably in nature)

- Will bring the community together reducing chances of common mental health issues

These recommenda�ons in turn will help develop all aspects rela�ng to the four components of happiness. Although, it is always cri�cal to consider the needs of individual communi�es.

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