Built Environment Research Articles

Understanding visitor flow and behaviour in developing tourism-service-oriented villages by space syntax methodologies: a case study of Tabian Rural Section of Qingshan Village, Hangzhou

ABSTRACT In the built environment (BE) of tourism-service-oriented villages, understanding visitor flow volumes and behaviours is crucial for guiding space revitalization and tourism management. This research uncovers quantitative relationships between visitor flow volume, spatial visual exposure, and visitors’ behaviour at 12 sites in the Tabian Rural Section of Qingshan Village, a typical tourism service-oriented village in Hangzhou. The methodologies employed in this study are based on two space syntax algorithms: 3-D isovist analysis and agent-based models (ABMs). Visual Exposure Rates (VERs) in 3-D isovists along visitors’ routes were calculated using parametric programming, and visitor flow simulation was conducted using two ABMs. Real-world visitor volumes (RWFVs) and visitors’ behaviors were also recorded during an in-situ survey. A comprehensive correlation analysis revealed multiple associations. The results demonstrated that combined simulations from ABM I, and VERs explained 50.5% of the overall variability in RWFVs. Notably, VERs were found to be associated with visitors’ behaviours of photography and seating, while the outputs from ABM I showed a moderate correlation with RWFVs. This study innovatively combines space syntax models for extended application in the research of rural BEs, providing guidance for optimizing strategies to improve spatial configuration in homogeneous villages.

Sensory Responsive Environments: A Qualitative Study on Perceived Relationships between Outdoor Built Environments and Sensory Sensitivities

This qualitative study explored the perceived relationships between outdoor built environments and sensory sensitivities, focusing on autism, ADHD, and dyslexia. Thirty-one semi-structured interviews were conducted with participants who had lived experience with these focal groups. Through thematic analysis of their narratives, the study uncovered patterns highlighting the perceived relationships between designed landscapes and sensory sensitivities in neurodivergent individuals, encompassing both heightened sensitivity (hypersensitivity) and reduced sensitivity (hyposensitivity). Emergent themes included individual and personal factors, sensory affordances, the benefits of outdoor environments, ambient environmental factors, materiality, spatial design, navigating environments, pedestrian-centric transportation, sensorimotor movement, safety, refuge, human settlement types, social environments, and accessibility plus inclusion. Subthematic patterns within these larger thematic categories were also identified. Study participants revealed significant sensory barriers and sensorially supportive elements of designed outdoor environments, along with promising design interventions. The findings unveil the advantages of designing multi-sensory landscapes tailored to atypical sensory needs, emphasizing the importance of fostering inclusion by designing landscapes that reflect the communities they serve. This concept is encapsulated in the development of the Sensory Responsive Environments Framework (SREF), the emergent theoretical framework of this study.

The importance of using active thermal protection following restoration work on old buildings

The paper deals with the issue of humidity and the unhealthy environment of old buildings. Humidity is a very widespread problem not only in historical buildings, but also in newer buildings. This problem can be observed in various parts of the world and thus it can be said that it is a global problem. Humidity in these buildings causes an unhealthy environment, which has a negative effect on individual building constructions, but also on people’s health. Humidity is also associated with the form of disruption of the individual layers of the construction and the disruption of the thermal resistance of these constructions. Buildings such as these subsequently have an unhealthy environment. After a part of the description of the known issue, the contribution follows on from this part by indicating possible remedial interventions and analyses the systems of additional thermal insulation (ETICS, ATP), ensuring the improvement of the internal environment. Finally, the article presents possible connections and extensions of this research and its application directly in practice. The results of the proposed research will significantly contribute to the approach to rehabilitated older buildings and their long-term sustainability from an economic point of view, as well as the possible use of them.

Research on application of multimodal data fusion in intelligent building environment perception

With the rapid development of the building industry, intelligent buildings benefit from its safety, energy saving, environmental protection and integration and other advantages have been widely loved by people, most operators also realize the importance of intelligent buildings to bring people humanized and customized services, and in order to realize the personalized service of the building, multi-modal data fusion is an effective method. On the other hand, in today’s Internet of Things society, many practical applications need to deploy a large number of sensing equipment for data collection and processing, so as to carry out high-quality monitoring of the physical world, but due to the inherent limitations of these hardware equipment and the influence of factors such as the environment, single mode data often cannot be completely and comprehensively monitored to the physical world’s changing characteristics. In this development context, multi-modal data fusion has become a research hotspot in the field of machine learning. Based on this, this paper proposes a one-stage fast object detection model with multi-level fusion of multi-modal features and end-to-end characteristics for building indoor environment perception, and conducts experimental analysis on the performance of the model. The verification results show that the accuracy of the proposed method is 50.7% and the running speed is 0.107 s, which has better performance than the existing detection methods.

Study on the Impact of Design Factors of Piloti Forms on the Thermal Environment in Residential Quarters

Study on the Impact of Design Factors of Piloti Forms on the Thermal Environment in Residential Quarters

Development of Virtual Tours for Understanding the Built Environment of an Educational Building

Though we spend a significant amount of time in indoor and built environments as general occupants of residential or commercial spaces, we do not necessarily know how the heating, cooling, and ventilation services work in our occupied spaces. As the mechanical systems of buildings become more complex for energy saving and better indoor air quality, it is beneficial for occupants to learn more their built environment so that they can cooperate effectively for the building’s performance. In this context, the purpose of this research is to develop and evaluate how virtual reality (VR) technology can support occupants in understanding their built environment. An educational building on campus was selected for the development as it provides familiar spaces for potential participants in this research. This research was carried out in two stages. In Stage One, we, as researchers in mechanical engineering, explored the workflow for VR development and developed VR tours for four spaces: a classroom, an auditorium, a conference room, and a mechanical room. In Stage Two, we conducted a survey study to examine the VR experience from the perspective of users. In this survey study, we recruited 34 participants from engineering students/graduates, industry participants, and a sustainability group. The participants generally indicated a positive experience with the VR tours, although the quiz scores on the VR content were weak. From our reflection, we consider that positive and effective VR experiences for the education of the built environment require collaboration from three domains: (1) mechanical systems of buildings, (2) VR technology, and (3) pedagogy.

Neighbourhood walkability and greenspace and their associations with health-related fitness in urban dwelling Canadian adults

ObjectiveMuscular strength and body composition are important components of health-related fitness (HRF). Grip strength and body fat percent, in particular, are associated with chronic disease and affected by health behaviours. Evidence suggests relationships between the neighbourhood built environment (BE) and HRF exist, however, few studies have focused on grip strength and body fat percent. Therefore, our study aim was to estimate the sex-specific associations between the neighbourhood BE, grip strength, and body fat percent among urban-dwelling Canadian adults. MethodsWe analyzed cross-sectional survey and HRF data from 4052 males and 7841 females (Alberta's Tomorrow Project, Canada). Grip strength and body fat percent were measured via handgrip dynamometry and bioelectrical impedance analysis, respectively. Walkability (Canadian Active Living Index) and greenness (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) estimates were linked to participant data. Sex-stratified covariate-adjusted linear regression models estimated the associations between the BE and HRF variables. ResultsWalkability was negatively associated with grip strength and body fat percent in males (β − 0.21, 95%CI: −0.31 to −0.11 and β − 0.08, 95%CI: −0.15 to −0.02, respectively) and females (β − 0.06, 95%CI: −0.10 to −0.01 and β − 0.08, 95%CI: −0.14 to −0.02, respectively). Greenness was positively associated with grip strength in males (β 6.99, 95%CI: 3.62 to 10.36) and females (β 2.72, 95%CI: 1.22 to 4.22) but not with body fat percent. Controlling for physical activity and sitting did not attenuate these associations. ConclusionCharacteristics of the neighbourhood BE appear to be associated muscular strength and body composition, independent of physical activity and sedentary behaviour.

Virtual Building Models in Built Environments

The global building sector plays a pivotal role in addressing sustainability, climate change, and carbon neutrality. This study introduces the original concept of virtual building models (VBMs) throughout the lifecycle of the building industry, considering the unique characteristics of this industry. VBMs are defined as mathematical models that represent the physical behavior of buildings throughout their lifecycle. These models consist of subvirtual models that represent the physical operational environments of the target building, encompassing physical variables, equipment, systems, indoor environments, and structural and material behaviors. This concept can contribute to achieving the existing concepts of building information modeling, digital twins, and cyber-physical systems within building operations, communities, and environments. In this study, building models are categorized into five aspects: virtual model environments, types, interactions, integrations, and levels of detail (LODs). The LODs are classified into five levels (LOD100, LOD200, LOD300, LOD350, and LOD400) depending on the primary environments of the virtual models and their coverage across the entire building. Virtual modeling methodologies are proposed considering the virtual model aspects to achieve higher or intended LOD states from both academic and industrial perspectives. Finally, future research directions are discussed to drive the concept of virtual buildings to shape the future of the building industry through digital transformations.

Study on personal comfort heating system and human thermal comfort in extremely low-temperature building environments

Exposure to extremely low-temperature building environments around -20 °C causes various hazards to human health. However, few studies have studied human thermal comfort and physiological response in such environments, nor the personal comfort heating system. Thus, this study investigated the heating characteristics of personal comfort heating system, their effects on thermal responses, and thermophysiological parameters in extremely low-temperature building environments. We conducted experimental tests and questionnaires in a cryogenic enthalpy difference laboratory with air temperature ranging from -21.2 to -15.6 °C and a relative humidity of 55 %. Eight experimental conditions were designed with several heating measures (heating mat, heating gloves, heating cushion and airwarmer). The heating parameters of the personal comfort heating systems as well as the subjective evaluations and skin temperature of the subjects were recorded and analyzed. The results showed that the airwarmer confinement box condition had a corrective power of up to 38.3 K. The overall thermal sensation vote and overall thermal comfort vote were maintained at 0.25 and -0.25. Further, we found that the face, hands, calves and feet got cold easier with the largest skin temperature difference of -4.9, -8.1, -6.7 and -7.6 °C, respectively. Besides, the relationships between thermal responses and between thermal responses and skin temperature were examined, as well as a thermal comfort assessment methodology was established for extremely low-temperature environments.

Construction of a Spatial Equalization Assessment System for Medical Facilities

The spatial equalization of medical facilities can alleviate the wastage of medical resources and improve the efficiency of medical services. Therefore, it is necessary to carry out spatially balanced planning and assessment of medical facilities in cities. Existing studies on the balanced planning, design, and evaluation of medical facilities have been conducted from the perspective of hospital buildings in terms of spatial utilization efficiency, service satisfaction, and their physical environment on one hand, and from the perspective of regional planning of medical facilities in terms of spatial accessibility to medical facilities and the suitability of medical facilities to the social environment on the other hand. This study hopes to break down the boundaries of each perspective and effectively integrate the architecture, planning, and social well-being of medical facilities, taking spatial equilibrium as the core, in order to establish a spatial equilibrium system for medical facilities and achieve a spatial equilibrium-based assessment of the current state of medical facilities. First, the factors influencing the spatial equilibrium of hospital buildings with the support of the system and environment of hospital buildings are determined. Second, the indicators of the spatial equilibrium of hospital buildings are extracted through the consideration of influencing factors, and the indicator weights are determined by discussing the degree to which they contribute to the influence of the operation of hospital building spatial equilibrium systems, thus forming a system of equilibrium indicators for hospital buildings. Finally, a spatial equilibrium evaluation model for hospital buildings is established to assess the effects of equilibrium. The results obtained in this study provide insights into the regional planning of medical facilities and the design of hospital buildings.

The influence of natural wind patterns on the thermal and humidity comfort of the “one seal” building in Yunnan, China

ABSTRACT The thermal and humidity environments of buildings under the influence of the Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems constitute a mature topic in the field of architecture, but there are few studies on the thermal and humidity environments of traditional rural buildings under natural wind conditions. In this paper, a traditional one-seal residential building in Kunming, Yunnan Province, was adopted as the research object. By arranging monitoring instruments, we collected thermal and humidity environment and natural wind data of the building under three weather conditions: cloudy, sunny and rainy days. The results showed that climate change can alter the thermal and humidity stability levels of the building, and there are differences in thermal and humidity stability among the different spatial structures inside the building. Natural wind plays a significant role in reducing the humidity of the environment and building surfaces, and the thermal and humidity properties of the building materials play an important role in maintaining the thermal and humidity stability levels of the building. The results of this study provide a basis for obtaining a greater understanding of heat and humidity comfort levels in naturally ventilated areas and thermal and humidity environments of traditional buildings at the later stage.

Research Review of Green Building Rating System under the Background of Carbon Peak and Carbon Neutrality

In order to foster a more sustainable and eco-friendly trajectory for the construction industry, while concurrently mitigating environmental pollution and energy inefficiency, it is imperative to cultivate an environmentally conscious building and urban environment. Under the background of Carbon Peak and Carbon Neutrality, the green building rating system has become a research hotspot in the field of green building. This paper systematically summarizes the research progress of the GBRS in weight setting, indicator setting, and the evaluation process, and creatively proposes the following three directions for future research: (1) Weight determination methods based on machine learning or deep learning models, and reasonable weight allocation by mixing multiple evaluation methods. (2) Setting dynamic evaluation indicators, strengthening interdisciplinary research and regional consideration, and introducing a life cycle assessment to solve the problem of setting indicators in the existing evaluation system. (3) Combine building information modeling with GBRS to realize the automation and intelligence of evaluation and improve the comprehensiveness and accuracy of evaluation.

Infection prevention and control programs in Armenian Psychoneurological Hospitals

Aim of the study: to characterize the integration and implementation of the main components of infection prevention and control (IPC), defined by the World Health Organization (WHO), in psychoneurological hospitals in Armenia. Materials and methods. The study was conducted over the period from 2019 to 2022 in all 8 psychoneurological hospitals in Armenia. The research tool was based on using the IPCAF (Infection Prevention and Control Assessment Framework) questionnaire translated into Armenian, consisting of 8 sections. In accordance with the WHO scoring methodology, each possible answer to the question was scored. The maximum total score for each core component could be 100 points, and the final score — 800. Descriptive epidemiology was used during the study. Results. The average final score for all IPCAF components for all neuropsychiatric hospitals in Armenia over the entire study period was increased by 1.46 times (from 345.0±10.7 points in 2019 to 502.5±32.5 in 2022; р 0.01) and in 2022 was characterized as an “intermediate level”. Analysis by individual IPC core components (CC) found that the highest average scores in 2022 were obtained for components CC2 (IPC guidelines) — 81.6 points, CC8 (Built environment, materials and equipment for IPC at the facility level) — 72.8 points, and CC5 (Multimodal strategies) — 70.0 points. The lowest average scores were obtained for the key components: CC4 (Health care-associated infection (HAI) surveillance) — 45.0 points, and for CC3 (IPC education and training) — 56.3 points and CC7 (Workload, staffing and bed occupancy) — 56.9 points. Conclusion. Our study demonstrated for the first time an opportunity for using the IPCAF questionnaire to evaluate IPC programs in neuropsychiatric hospitals and identify gaps in various areas of IPC. Information was received regarding the state of key IPC component implementation in psychoneurological hospitals in Armenia. Analysis by individual core components identified gaps that need to be addressed. It is recommended to implement continuous monitoring of compliance with various aspects of IPC in order to prevent weakening of control and deterioration of epidemiological situation.

The development, validation, and application of the campus walk score measurement system

Improving campus walkability can encourage students to walk and may inhibit the development of sedentary lifestyle habits, obesity, diabetes, and other health issues. This study aimed to formulate an optimized campus Walk Score (WS) measurement system that combines students' weekly demand for the use of facilities and unique campus environments. Bivariate correlation analysis and regression models were used to verify this system. The verified system was further applied to assess campus walkability and its influencing factors. The facility weight and walking time were established through questionnaires distributed on eight campuses in Tianjin, China. GIS and field audits were utilized to collect data on the objective built environment (BE), subjective environmental quality variables, and pedestrian volume (PV). Pearson's correlation analysis and Negative binomial regression models without spatial autocorrelation were used to verify the campus WS measurement system. The significant relationships between BE features and overall WS were found. PV was significantly correlated with overall WS and classified WSs. These findings were all found in the overall and three types of campuses. Therefore, our optimized system can be verified. Additionally, the WS was closely associated with facility distribution, planning mode, and other spatial attributes. Based on our results, how our findings can be utilized to promote campus walkability was proposed.

Enhancing academic support for students in higher education

Purpose The need to enhance student support is evident in higher education (HE) curricula. In addition to the complications created by the COVID-19 pandemic, the current strategies used in academia are criticised for their lack of appropriate student support in HE. The study focused on the themes under Section 4 of the National Student Survey (NSS): availability to contact tutors, receiving good advice and guidance and availability of good advice. The study aimed to provide recommendations for enhancing academic support by developing drivers that need implementation during course delivery. Design/methodology/approach A documental analysis and a qualitative survey were adopted for this study. A documental analysis of 334 mid-module reviews (MMRs) from levels three to six students in the built environment (BE) discipline. Critical themes identified from the MMRs were fed forward in developing a questionnaire for academics. A sample of 23 academics, including a Head of school, a Principal lecturer, Subject leads and Lecturers, participated in the questionnaire survey. Content analysis is adopted through questionnaire data to develop drivers to enhance academic support in BE. These drivers are then modelled by interpretive structural modelling (ISM) to identify their correlation to NSS Section 4 themes. A level partition analysis establishes how influential they are in enhancing academic support. Findings The study identified nine drivers, where two drivers were categorised as fundamental, two as significant, four as important, and one insignificant in enhancing academic support in HE. Module leaders’/tutors’ improving awareness and detailing how academic support is provided were identified as fundamental. Differentiating roles in giving advice and the importance of one-to-one meetings were identified as significant. A level partitioning diagram was developed from the nine drivers to illustrate how these drivers need to be implemented to promote the best practices in academic support in HE. Practical implications The identified drivers and their categories can be used to set prioritised guidelines for academics and other educational institutions to improve students’ overall satisfaction. Originality/value Novelty from the study will be the developed drivers and the level partitioning diagram to assist academics and academic institutions in successfully integrating academic support into HE curricula.

Evaluating the Feasibility of Digital Twin in Architecture Industry

This review paper examines the feasibility of adopting digital twin technology in the architecture industry. It examines the current state of digital twin technology, its potential applications, drivers, benefits, and challenges, and compares findings with existing guidelines and standards. The study is based on review literature, including industry reports, surveys, and online articles, due to its rapidly evolving nature. The findings are compared with existing guidelines and standards to identify any alignments, gaps, or contradictions between industry best practices and the literature. The overall assessment indicates that the adoption of digital twin technology in the architecture industry is feasible, but significant challenges and barriers need to be addressed. Key factors supporting the feasibility include growing industry awareness, advancements in enabling technologies, and alignment with existing guidelines and standards. However, challenges include the lack of clear industry-wide standards and protocols, data security and governance concerns, and the need for significant investments in digital infrastructure and organizational change. The study concludes that the feasibility of digital twin adoption in the architecture industry is promising, but successful implementation will require a concerted effort by industry stakeholders to address the identified challenges and align with emerging best practices and standards. Key Words: Digital twin, Virtual asset, BIM integration, Digital infrastructure, Built Environments.

Passive cooling and thermal comfort performance of Passive Downdraught Evaporative Cooling (PDEC) towers in a Saudi library: An on-site study

In the hot arid climate of Saudi Arabia, where air conditioning, primarily fueled by fossil fuels, accounts for a significant portion of energy consumption, the implementation of Passive Downdraught Evaporative Cooling (PDEC) towers presents a sustainable solution. This study conducts an extensive evaluation of PDEC towers in a public library, focusing on their effectiveness in reducing reliance on conventional cooling and enhancing thermal comfort. Through detailed field measurements, the study examines the influence of wind speed on the towers' cooling performance, correlating it with internal environmental conditions. The research extends to a comparative analysis of two prominent thermal comfort models: the Predicted Mean Vote (PMV) and the Adaptive Thermal Comfort (ATC) model. Findings indicate a notable interaction between wind speed and indoor air temperature, where increased wind speeds correspond to higher indoor temperatures. Despite this, the PDEC towers demonstrate a significant reduction in temperature, maintaining cooling effectiveness between 70 % and 75 %. The comparative study of thermal comfort models reveals that the ATC model provides a more relevant assessment of comfort levels in naturally ventilated spaces, with 71 % of the recorded temperatures falling within the comfortable range during the monitoring period. The research highlights the PDEC tower's potential in delivering effective passive cooling, adaptable to wind speed changes, and contributing to a sustainable and energy-efficient building environment in hot arid climates.

The Role of Neighbourhood Social and Built Environments – Including Third Places – in Older Adults’ Social Interactions

ABSTRACT Neighbourhood environments shape older adults’ social interactions. This research conceptualises a comprehensive set of perceived and objective measures of neighbourhood social and built environments, including third places, with older adults’ social interactions. In Melbourne, based on the person-environment fit framework, mediation analyses showed that the perceived social environment measures of community spirit, participation in community groups and belonging to suburb, were the strongest predictors of social interactions, followed by a few types of perceived third places. Our findings suggest that policymakers should focus on how the objective environment characteristics are interpreted as levers when planning for changes.

Enhancing Disaster Resilience for Sustainable Urban Development: Public–Private Partnerships in Japan

A resilient building environment is crucial for securing sustainable development in urban areas, as the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goal 11 stresses. In developing countries in particular, the risk of disasters is increasing due to the poorly built environment caused by urbanization. However, building disaster resilience in vulnerable urban environments characterized by aging houses, limited public spaces, and complex land rights and tenancy issues poses a major challenge. This study aims to identify critical factors influencing effective disaster-resilient urban development by examining Japan’s experience, with a focus on approaches facilitating public–private partnerships. Driven by disasters like the 1995 Kobe Earthquake, Japan has promoted innovative strategies to improve urban resilience and mitigate disaster impacts. The Disaster Mitigation Zone Implementation Program represents a novel program designed to revitalize densely populated areas with aging wooden structures highly vulnerable to disasters. Through semi-structured interviews, a literature review, and an in-depth case study in Tokyo, this research analyzes the development and effectiveness of this targeted redevelopment approach. Findings underscore the pivotal role of policies promoting public–private collaboration, consensus-building mechanisms among stakeholders, flexibility in project formulation, and financial incentives via government subsidies. Engaging the private sector ensures project feasibility through urban development expertise, while simpler, smaller-scale projects attract greater private investment. Japan’s experience offers valuable insights into collaborative, context-sensitive strategies for enhancing urban disaster resilience through targeted redevelopment of high-risk areas.

Enhancing Robot Inclusivity in the Built Environment: A Digital Twin-Assisted Assessment of Design Guideline Compliance

Developing guidelines for designing robot-inclusive spaces has been challenging and resource-intensive, primarily relying on physical experiments and observations of robot interactions within the built environment. These conventional methods are often costly, time-consuming, and labour-intensive, demanding manual intervention. To address these limitations, this study explores the potential of using digital twins as a promising solution to offer detailed insights, reducing the dependence on physical experiments for studying robot-built environment interactions.Although the concept of digital twins is popular in many domains, the use of digital twins for this specific problem has not been explored yet. A novel methodology for assessing existing built environment guidelines by incorporating them as an architectural digital twin asset within robot simulation software is proposed in this regard. By analysing the digital interactions between robots and the architectural digital twin assets in simulations, the compatibility of the environment with robots is evaluated, ultimately contributing to enhancing these guidelines to be robot-inclusive. The ultimate goal is to create environments that are not only inclusive but also readily accessible to Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs). With this objective, the proposed methodology is tested on robots of different specifications to understand the robots’ interactions with different architectural digital twin environments and obstacles. The digital twin effectively demonstrates the capability of the proposed approach in assessing the robots’ suitability for deployment in the simulated environments. The gained insights contribute to improved comprehension and strengthen the existing design guidelines.