Open House International

Alja'afreh, Aseel; Al Tal, Raed; Ibrahim, Anwar

2022 Open House International

doi: 10.1108/ohi-02-2021-0023

The study hypothesized that the absence of the governing authority during the growth and expansion of informal settlements caused a highly randomized dense social fabric that shaped their characteristics.Design/methodology/approachThis research employs urban tactics and social theories to understand dynamic relationships in social consolidation in informal settlements in Jordan. The research adopted a mixed-methods approach, deploying qualitative and quantitative methods to understand the concepts, terms, perspectives, means and functions of open spaces in informal settlements.FindingsThe results identified that the land ownership of open spaces, gender and age have a significant impact on the relationships and social interaction of people. The results suggested that despite the informal morphology of studied areas being random, unplanned and chaotic, there is often an underlying logic to meet occupants’ needs.Research limitations/implicationsThis research explores informal spatiality to help understand the mechanisms of how marginal communities create and interact with each other in public spaces. This study is limited to the investigation of socio-cultural practices in public spaces, without an in-depth consideration of the roles of physical elements and features in the spatial configuration of these spaces.Originality/valueThe importance of the research is that the exploration of informal spatiality of this neighborhood morphology will enable to understand the mechanism of how marginal communities create and interact among each other and their public spaces in different cities.

Liang, Huilin; Zhang, Qingping

2022 Open House International

doi: 10.1108/ohi-05-2021-0110

Can Chinese social media data (SMD) be used as an alternative to traditional surveys used to understand tourists' visitation of attractions in Chinese cities? The purpose of this paper is to explore this question.Design/methodology/approachPopular tourism SMD sources in China, such as Ctrip, Weibo and Dazhong Dianping (DZDP), were used as data source, and the relationships between these sources and traditional data sources were studied with statistical methods. Data from Shanghai were used in this study since it is rich in tourism resources and developed in information.FindingsA systematic research method was followed and led to the following conclusions: There were positive correlations for attraction visitation between Chinese SMD and traditional survey data; Chinese SMD source could temporally indicate visits to Shanghai tourist attractions; Ctrip SMD generally performed less well than Weibo or DZDP, and different SMD performed differently depending on the specific attractions and time units in the visitation calculation process; and factors including visitation, distance from the city center and the grade of attractions might affect the prediction performance based on data from the SMD. The findings suggest that Chinese SMD could be used as a cost-efficient and reliable proxy for traditional survey data to predict Chinese attraction visitation.Originality/valueThis study applies and improves the methods of SMD reliability in attraction use studies, supplies the gap for premise, basis and foundation for the large amounts of tourism researches using SMD in China and could promote and inspire more efficient and advanced measures in tourism management and urban development.

Ishak, Syaidatul Azzreen; Jamaludin, Adi Ainurzaman; Hussein, Hazreena

2022 Open House International

doi: 10.1108/ohi-06-2020-0058

This paper will identify people's experience of visiting selected neighborhood parks and their overall evaluations of selected neighborhood parks. The study is notably done by gathering data from the residents based on their neighborhood parks' experiences, including the landscape features and facilities related to their experiences.Design/methodology/approachThe Likert scale questions on user's experience of using park features at the neighborhood parks, open-ended questions were being applied in order to achieve more data on respondents' feelings and experiences on their thoughts. Then, the feedback from the information gathered from a minimum number of respondents (n = 382) will get into the development of semi-structured interview questions to discuss possible suggestions and recommendations for a better neighborhood park by interviewing a landscape architect and a planner.FindingsThe paper provides empirical insights on three particular themes that arise as significant in resident's experience of neighborhood parks in Kuala Lumpur. These three themes are by exploring the facilities of neighborhood parks, connection with natural features and the need for safety that has shown by the residents' experience and evaluation.Research limitations/implicationsBecause of the chosen research approach, the research results may lack generalizability. Therefore, researchers are encouraged to test the proposed propositions further.Social implicationsThe respondents consistently see neighborhood parks as a place for exercise, children's play area, social space and enjoying nature.Originality/valueThis paper fulfills an identified people's use and experience of neighborhood parks in Kuala Lumpur.

Vaughan, Josephine; Ostwald, Michael J.

2022 Open House International

doi: 10.1108/ohi-01-2021-0011

Frank Lloyd Wright's famous house Fallingwater has been the subject of enduring scholarly debate centred on the allegedly clear parallels between its form and that of its surrounding natural setting. Despite these claims being repeated many times, no quantitative approach has ever been used to test this argument. In response, this paper uses a quantitative method, fractal analysis, to measure the relationship between the architecture of Fallingwater and of its natural surroundings.Design/methodology/approachUsing fractal dimension analysis, a computational method that mathematically measures the characteristic visual complexity of an object, this paper mathematically measures and tests the similarity between the visual properties of Fallingwater and its natural setting. Twenty analogues of the natural surroundings of Fallingwater are measured and the results compared to those developed for the properties of eight views of the house.FindingsAlthough individual results suggest various levels of visual similarity or difference, the complete set of results do not support the claim that the form of Frank Lloyd Wright's Fallingwater exhibits clear visual similarities to the surrounding landscape.Originality/valueIn addition to testing a prominent theory about Wright's building for the first time, the paper demonstrates a rare application of fractal analysis to interpreting relations between architecture and nature.

Rezafar, Azadeh; Turk, Sevkiye Sence

2022 Open House International

doi: 10.1108/ohi-02-2021-0047

The increased flexibility in urban planning practice under neoliberal policies had impacts on urban aesthetics, such as causing cities to lose their unique character and identity, especially in developing countries. However, importance of the control and management of aesthetics has not been adequately addressed in the current planning legislations in the literature. Conventional legislation devices (such as zoning ordinances, building codes, etc.) provide little effect on aesthetic control for the flexible planning era. The aim of the study is to examine how a supplementary legal tool (a checklist) can be developed to provide urban aesthetics control and management for a city under neo-liberal influences by taking into consideration the relationship between urban environmental aesthetics and related legal regulations.Design/methodology/approachThe research focusses on the Istanbul case. In this study, the aesthetic parameters with factor analysis using urban design parameters that affecting urban aesthetics are determined, how inclusion into the planning laws and regulations of these aesthetic parameters are examined and a checklist for aesthetics control and management are proposed.FindingsThe findings reveal that although there are different and fragmented legal sources that directly or indirectly deal with the aesthetic control and management for urban design and there is a lack of a supplementary legal tool as control management.Originality/valueChecklists in the aesthetic control area can be a practical legal tool, which can establish a routine by giving proper attention to aesthetic quality and its related parameters of planning for all developing countries under the influence of neoliberal policies.

Birer, Emel; Hasgül, Esin; Can, Eren

2022 Open House International

doi: 10.1108/ohi-02-2021-0046

Pandemic process has led re-questioning home environments within adaptations of new activities inside due to the restriction of outdoor usage. This paper aims to reveal spatial transformations carried out through the time spent at home during the COVID-19 pandemic.Design/methodology/approachA qualitative study is carried out based on Garfinkel’s (1961) ethnomethodology method (documentary method of interpretation). Analysis focused on the first month of pandemic in which urgent adaptations and solutions produced at home, and the situation in last two weeks of pandemic is analyzed within a control group and comparisons were made. Perec’s (1974) statement of “a user's manual” is used as a checklist of time-space-activity observations proposed on “mondayness, tuesdayness, wednesdayness, thursdayness, fridayness, saturdayness and sundayness.” Instead of daily period, activities performed on a weekly scale were recorded and time-dependent shifts of functions were revealed.FindingsFindings introduced new discussion topics to examine dwelling spaces in “new normal.” Comparisons indicate that hypothesis of gathering all activities in room in terms of “life fits into room” concept is directed through rapid spatial behaviors in daily life as primary adaptation.Research limitations/implicationsAlthough pandemic process continues after study, analysis of first four weeks are accepted as the period of rapid change and compared by last two weeks of pandemic.Originality/valuePandemic indicators proposed in study brings along that there is little information on the subject in literature. Socio-spatial findings address the examinations of spatial transformations into pandemic adaptation.

Zhong, Lingyan; Bai, Ligang; Xiang, Mingming

2022 Open House International

doi: 10.1108/ohi-01-2021-0018

By using an integrated theoretical analysis model and a practice analysis model, this study constructed an evaluation indicator system for public participation in post-disaster housing reconstruction.Design/methodology/approachThis study investigated and summarised the public participation of earthquake victims in house building in Dujiangyan. A total of 16 analysis elements were proposed, including the subject and object for evaluation. A mixed qualitative and quantitative evaluation model was established.FindingsThe implementation results indicated that this evaluation index system was objective oriented and had public policy attributes. The index can effectively reflect the diverse needs of disaster victims, address multiple social aspects and evaluate and rate public participation.Originality/valueThis paper proposed a mixed research method that integrates analysis processes, such as theories and practical investigation, which are the pillars of public participation evaluation. The evaluation indicators had quantitative characteristics.

Nguyen, Vu Tuan Anh; Park, Jin-Ho; Jeon, Yangsook

2022 Open House International

doi: 10.1108/ohi-04-2021-0078

This paper focuses on the evolution of and changes in French colonial architectural designs over time in terms of the use of vernacular architectural features of Vietnam.Design/methodology/approachIt first examines the underlying principles of spatial compositions behind traditional vernacular architecture, thus revealing vernacular architectural values that have survived from the past. Styles of vernacular houses differ by region; thus, their unique spatial characteristics are analyzed by selecting the typical houses in each region. The study also illuminates ecological features and technical norms tailored to the local climate and Vietnamese traditional architecture. It examines how local and regional characters of vernacular houses affect the developments and changes in the French colonial public buildings in Vietnam, forming an identity that represents an eclectic Indochina style with the adaptation of local discourses on climate.FindingsThe Vietnamese have developed unique architectural styles that are inextricably linked to their identities, cultures, climates and livelihoods – for example, vernacular houses. Although at the beginning of the colonial period, the French imported their styles, decorations and details, which were foreign to the Vietnamese, later, they perhaps realized that such direct import was no longer suitable for the natural and socio-cultural situation of the colony. Toward the end of the colonial period, it is noticeable that French colonial architects gradually started using local design principles.Research limitations/implicationsAlthough many existing buildings can be further added for the discussion, we limit a few cases, due to the length of the paper.Social implicationsThis paper proves that toward the end of the colonial period, colonial architecture in Vietnam became increasingly localized, adapting to the local environment and climate. The buildings during the period were gradually associated with Vietnamese culture and sentiment.Originality/valueAlthough few papers deal with the vernacular architecture in Vietnam with regard to local climate and regional characteristics, there are no paper that related the vernacular Vietnamese houses to influence the French colonial designs in Vietnam. Therefore the paper has value and significance.

AlSadaty, Aliaa

2022 Open House International

doi: 10.1108/ohi-03-2021-0065

This paper focuses on the morphological transformations of Cairo's historic cemeteries that currently form a significant part of historic Cairo designated by the UNESCO as a world heritage site. Cairo's historic cemetery continues to be a main burial ground for the city reflecting layers of funeral epochs. Besides offering burial grounds, Cairo's city of the dead had always hosted living functions including residential and crafts among other activities.Design/methodology/approachAdopting a historico-geographical approach, this study traces morphological transformations of the eastern necropolis of Cairo. Using analysis of archival documents, cartographic and photographic analysis of the eastern necropolis, the study detects changes on three major aspects: (1) impacts of the ever-growing urban city core; (2) transformation of the cemetery's internal urban fabric and (3) change of the size of the residential urban block inside the cemetery.FindingsFindings highlight alarming transformations on the said aspects, threatening the historic value and the urban integrity of Cairo's eastern necropolis. This calls for rising necessities of documentation projects for Cairo's necropolis, as well as urgent necessity of strict applications of local laws of urban conservation.Originality/valueDespite their rich urban variety, cemeteries have been rarely investigated within the scope of urban morphology. This paper is among the few works that investigate cemeteries using tools and approaches of urban morphology. It also calls for further applications of morphological investigations and wider adoption of morphological approaches for the study of historic cemeteries in order to support their preservation.

Papoyan, Atanes; Zhan, Changhong; Li, Guanghao; Han, Xueying

2022 Open House International

doi: 10.1108/ohi-12-2020-0186

The concept of green buildings (GBs) in contemporary building design has risen in popularity with the rapid economic development resulting from globalization. The primary objective of this research is to provide an impetus to improve the methods of green technology adaptation, taking the Russian Federation as an example.Design/methodology/approachGlobally, the first green building rating systems were implemented in the 1990s. The Russian Federation had launched its national green building rating systems apart from the international green building rating systems that were implemented in the country.FindingsBased on qualitative analysis, a common approach in the Russian market for certifying green construction was identified. The collected information can be considered evidence of market entry and aid in preparation for possible market shocks.Originality/valueFurthermore, the study determined seven significant rating measures that were generally applied by various green building rating systems, and the most influential rating measure was “energy,” followed by “site,” “indoor environment,” “land and outdoor environment,” “material,” “water” and “innovation.” Additionally, this study determined the primary research endeavors of the analyses of contemporary green building rating systems and presented the scope for future research.