An approach to convivial urban spaces: a comparison between users\u2019 and experts\u2019 perception of convivial urban spaces

Mona Y Shedid,Noha H Hefnawy

doi:10.1186/s44147-021-00021-z

Abstract

Convivial urban spaces are a process as well as a philosophy. They revolve around observing users in specific urban spaces to comprehend their various needs, especially their social needs. Designing urban spaces for people to promote social connections is the foundation of creating convivial urban spaces. This means that this form of urban space has been interpreted as a daily social activity and as social pleasure expressed in the physical and psychological context of people's urban space. To provide a convivial environment for all users, effective convivial urban spaces should fulfill certain important aspects. From this point of view, the paper aims to identify the main aspects of creating convivial urban spaces through their repletion in the different theories. Then, the paper will evaluate and arrange the importance of the different aspects that form convivial urban spaces from the users and experts (urban designer and architects) point of view to reach the main objective of the paper which is to create a prospected framework for the urban designer and architects to help them in future decisions in designing convivial urban spaces that fulfill users’ needs.

Highlights

Every day, urban spaces seek a variety of services that people need to enjoy their urban environments in their daily lives
Since urban areas are designed to encourage physical activity and social interaction, any abruption between users and their built environment will result in ineffective urban spaces that fail to meet users’ social needs
Conviviality is a concept that is commonly used in sociology, but it is less commonly used in urban design and architecture [1]

Summary

Introduction

Urban spaces seek a variety of services that people need to enjoy their urban environments in their daily lives. Since urban areas are designed to encourage physical activity and social interaction, any abruption between users and their built environment will result in ineffective urban spaces that fail to meet users’ social needs. As a result, this rapid rate of urbanization must be effectively managed to improve the quality of urban spaces to meet user physical and social needs. Various scholars of urban space have identified a lack of interaction [2], absence of life in the streets [3], loss of social capital, and diminishing equity in public spaces [4].

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Conclusion