High-rise Apartment Research Articles

A higher shadow ratio of the living environment on the remote sensing digital image is possibly protective for adolescent myopia

This study aims to assess how the construction patterns within residential communities influence the adolescent myopia using general survey. In a private high school from a megacity in mid-west China, a questionnaire gathered data on the 10th-grade students’ level of myopia, home address, and some potential confounding factors. Additionally, satellite digital images were utilized to calculate the proportion of shadow area (PSA) and the proportion of greenness area (PGA) within a 500 m×500 m area centered on each student’s home address. Correlations between myopia levels and PSA, along with other variables, were analyzed. The prevalence of mild, moderate, and high myopia were 39.2%, 32.5%, and 8.3%, respectively. A negative correlation was observed between myopia levels and PSA, albeit marginally significant (r=-0.189*, P = 0.05). Upon dividing the sample into higher and lower PSA groups using a cut-off point of 20%, a significant difference in myopia levels was evident (χ2 = 8.361, P = 0.038), while other confounding factors remained comparable. In conclusion, high-rise apartment constructions, which often cast more shadows on digital satellite maps, may not exacerbate myopia progression. Instead, they could potentially serve as a protective factor against adolescent myopia in densely populated megacities, as they allow for more ground space allocation.

Noise reduction and visual disturbance performances of horizontal facade profiles for a multi-story high-rise apartment building

This paper simulates the noise reduction performance of horizontal profiles installed on the façade to reduce the external noise in high-rise residential buildings. The simulation used commercial software based on the ray tracing method and evaluated the performance by modeling a representative rectangular-shaped 30-story apartment building in South Korea. The simulation assumed a four-lane road traffic noise source parallel to the front of the apartment. The key simulation values were cited from configurations derived in previous studies. The sound absorption points were set at the center of each living room on every floor, and windows facing the road were considered for ventilation, being set to be partially open. Horizontal profiles for noise reduction were placed on the exterior of the building, starting from the 20th floor, with protrusion height and vertical spacing as variables. These profiles were combined with noise barriers to assess their impact. As a result, it was confirmed that the noise barrier only reduced the noise in the lower floors, while the horizontal profiles on the upper part of the building could also reduce noise in the upper floors. Additionally, the paper discusses the visual disturbance of the horizontal facade profiles visible from the living rooms.

Performance of profile steel CFDSP composite walls under compression and bending loads

To satisfy the demands for high load-carrying capacity, rapid construction, and economic feasibility in high-rise residential apartments, the authors developed a novel profile steel concrete-filled double-steel-plate (CFDSP) composite wall. Experimental investigations were conducted to evaluate the load-carrying capacities and failure modes of composite walls subjected to compression and bending loads. Refined finite element (FE) models for the walls were established and validated by comparing with experimental results. The effects of critical parameters such as axial compression ratio, concrete strength, shear span ratio, steel plate thickness, and strength on the load-carrying capacities and failure modes were analyzed. Results indicate effective collaboration between concrete and steel, with the internal concrete being fully constrained by steel plates and profiled steels. The load-carrying capacity and stiffness of profile steel CFDSP composite walls increase initially and then stabilize with the increase in axial compression ratio, while the deformation capacity decreases with the increase in axial compression ratio. An increase in shear span ratio accelerates the degradation of load-carrying capacity and stiffness, while also resulting in a decrease in ductility. Additionally, an increase in concrete strength, steel plate strength, and thickness can enhance the load-carrying capacity and stiffness, with a relatively minor impact on deformation capacity. Simplified prediction formulas for determining the resistance of composite walls under compression and bending loads are developed. The evaluation results closely align with experimental data, showing less than a 5 % error, thereby providing valuable guidance for the performance-oriented design of profile steel CFDSP composite walls.

A Study on the Non-Contact Artificial Intelligence Elevator System Due to the Effect of COVID-19

Recently, IoT has been combined with artificial intelligence (AI) technology to develop into intelligent IoT (Artificial Intelligence of Things, AIoT) and can provide smart services to all industries. Generally, buildings with 30 or more floors are classified as high-rise apartments. There are high-rise apartments in many countries with small land areas and high population densities around the world, such as Hong Kong, Singapore, and Korea. Korea has many high-rise apartments and buildings with 30 or more floors, and residents there inevitably use elevators to move between floors. Because it is a high-rise apartment, it takes time for EVs to move, and a contactless method is needed when using EVs, especially due to COVID-19. In this study, we proposed a smart elevator system using AI that allows residents of high-rise apartments to conveniently shorten waiting and use times and use elevators without contact during rush hours due to the impact of COVID-19. The proposed system uses AI facial recognition to shorten EV waiting time and moving time and has a contactless floor selection function. As a result of the proposed system, it was confirmed that residents’ EV waiting time and travel time were shortened compared to existing EV systems.

A Systematic Empirical Evaluation of Machine Learning Algorithm on Energy Prediction

The energy crisis has alerted all scientists and researchers in every field. The evident increase in the usage of electronic items causes high electricity consumption. Especially in residential households and high-rise apartments, buildings show high electrical loads. This study is designed to forecast the energy need using AI prediction models and find the most efficient model to predict the future loads of any household considering its surroundings, like weather, air pressure, room temperature and others. This is a comprehensive comparative study that provides a comprehensive comparison between regression models. The finding of the study is that by using the optimum model, we can achieve the best results in predicting electricity load.

Will the Release of Presale Housing moderate or exacerbate residential price volatility? - Taking Apartmemt complexes Units in Taichung City as an Example

During periods of economic prosperity, increased profit opportunities lead to active transactions in the existing housing market and heightened consumer risk preferences. At this time, developers increase the launch of presale housing projects to expand business opportunities, indirectly filling the supply gap of existing homes and alleviating housing demand. However, in reality, prices in both the presale and existing housing markets mutually drive each other up, further delaying the stabilization of housing prices. Therefore, whether the launch of presale housing projects can alleviate the demand for existing homes and achieve the function of price moderation becomes a research-worthy question. This study aims to investigate whether the volume of presale housing projects moderates or exacerbates housing prices. We focus on the volatility of aggregate residential housing prices in Taichung City, Taiwan, using transaction data of monthly average prices for Apartmemt complexes Units (high-rise buildings and high-rise apartments) from August 2012 to June 2023. We employ the ARCH/GARCH models to analyze the impact of presale housing project volumes on housing price volatility. Stability and convergence indicate a moderating effect of presale housing project volumes on housing prices; otherwise, it indicates exacerbation. After model testing, this study selects the most appropriate model as the ARIMA(3,1,0)-GARCH(1,0) model. This study finds that during periods of economic prosperity, the volume of presale housing projects does not aid in stabilizing or converging residential housing prices; instead, it exacerbates market disruption.

Development of a System Suitable for an Apartment Complex for the Collective Recovery of Solid Resources from Food Waste: A Study on South Korea

The installation of food waste disposers has been prohibited in South Korea, due to conflicts with governmental policies that are focused on resource recovery from food waste and concerns about potential damage to the city’s sewer system. However, there is a growing demand for such systems in the country. This study proposes a system for the collective recovery of solid resources from food waste tailored for apartment complexes in South Korea, using an innovative solid–liquid separation technology. In the pilot experiment, 49.60% of the solids fed into the system were recovered as solid matter, confirming its practical applicability. Ultimately, a solid resource collective recovery system suitable for the high-rise apartment residence style of South Korea was developed and applied to an actual apartment complex. The final-stage solids were discharged from the system and processed through bio-drying, subsequently exhibiting a combustible material content of 67.06%, higher heating value (HHV) of 4843 kcal/kg, and lower heating value (LHV) of 3759 kcal/kg; moreover, they have the potential to be repurposed as biomass–solid refuse fuel (bio-SFR), compost, feed, and substrate for biogas production. The proposed food waste disposal system not only aligns with governmental policies, but also facilitates the recovery of high-quality resources from food waste, while providing a sustainable waste management solution.

Development of Prefabricated Additional Insulation Elements for the Renovation of High-Rise Apartment Buildings

Prefabricated additional insulation elements have demonstrated success in renovating up to 5-storey apartment buildings. However, the unique challenges posed by high-rise buildings necessitate a closer examination of installation and long-term performance. In this study, we developed an additional insulation element specifically tailored for renovating high-rise apartment buildings and analysed its hygrothermal performance. To test the performance of the insulation elements, we installed a prototype and measured its performance at critical points along the external envelope. We calibrated a calculation model and applied building performance simulation software to explore various combinations of prefabricated elements. Our goal was to compare the associated risks and the key hygrothermal properties of these different material combinations within the insulation element. Critical points between the insulation layer and the wind barrier, as well as between the surface of the existing concrete panel wall and the vapour control layer of the additionally insulated exterior wall were analysed. The study's results indicate that the thermal resistance and water vapour permeability of the wind barrier layer, and the presence of an appropriate vapour control layer primarily influence the performance and moisture dry-out of a structure. Additionally, the study results indicate that the weather component has a higher impact than in lower buildings as the wind-driven rain loads are considerably higher in the upper parts of the high-rise buildings. The initial moisture (w = 110 kg/m3 at the height of the 9th storey and w = 117 kg/m3 at the height of the 16th storey) dry-out can last more than 3 years depending on the building type and materials used. This study underscores the importance of tailored solutions and vigilant moisture safety management in high-rise apartment building renovations, particularly when utilizing prefabricated additional insulation elements.

Experimental study of active noise control for a full-scale plenum window in a domestic apartment

Plenum windows, also known as ventilation windows, allow for natural ventilation in living spaces while providing noise reduction to improve the health and living comfort of occupants, especially in noise-polluted and tropical/sub-tropical cities. However, while plenum windows can provide acceptable levels of natural ventilation, the passive noise performance of plenum windows when fully opened is still lacking as compared to the conventional closed windows- especially in the low frequencies experimentally. Active noise control (ANC) has shown good performance in several applications for low-frequency control. Thus, the application of ANC using a single-channel and decentralized dual-channel ANC implementation, informed by prior simulation studies is developed and field tested for a plenum window in a domestic setting built to reproduce the environment of a high-rise apartment. The experiments show that the average global attenuation benefit in the apartment room due to a single-channel ANC is 2.9 dB in the 100 Hz – 500 Hz range while the decentralized dual-channel ANC provides up to an average of 4.8 dB reduction in the 100 Hz – 500 Hz range or an average reduction of 3.8 dB in the 100 Hz – 800 Hz range. The decentralized dual-channel ANC is also tested under different noise types and is effective in low-frequency control. Furthermore, the dual-channel ANC remains robust even with an additional mechanical ventilation system operating inside the plenum window, improving the natural ventilation.

Urban orchard in a megacity: formality and informality in China

ABSTRACT This anonymized Research Note reports qualitative observations and interview evidence to explore the operation of a U-pick lychee orchard located in China’s Pearl River Delta. Observation reveals the ironic juxtaposition of an owner-built cottage on a forested hillside surrounded by an intensively planned, densely populated urban environment featuring high-rise apartment towers. Field data show that informality, social networks, and petty entrepreneurialism are all manifest in urban agriculture, lychee production, labor, and land tenure. This Research Note illustrates the interstitial porosity that exists within the incorporated bounds of an urban area with informal economic activity adjacent to formal occupations and hillside orchards in the shadows of high-rise apartment towers.

A study on factors influencing the spatial oppressiveness in small courtyard spaces within university residential areas

ABSTRACT A number of obstacles in terms of the growing demand for residential spaces for students in China's education industry. Changing urban development patterns often lead to densely populated, unpleasant university residential neighborhood, posing threats to the well-being of university personnel. This study addresses the limitations of past research, focusing on a real campus's enclosed high-rise student apartment courtyard. Using three key design variables (courtyard area, building height and ground-level interface transparency), 27 sample scenarios were developed for psychological experiments. The findings indicate that while visual scene complexity has minimal impact on oppression to confined environments, building exposure and sky visibility do. People's perception of openness is determined by building exposure, sky visibility, and visual complexity. Higher visual complexity and greater sky visibility enhance the sense of openness. Satisfaction is primarily influenced by sky visibility. The study also conducts a multiple linear regression of spatial and psychological indicators and discusses the tolerance threshold for spatial oppressiveness and the spatial oppressiveness under various spatial types of samples.

THE PROCEDURE FOR INSTALLING SECURE AND EFFICIENT STUTTERS

This paper introduces a novel conceptualization of the chimney in a heating boiler for multi-storey residential buildings. It also examines the safety and efficiency aspects associated with the utilization of these chimneys in high-rise apartments

Assessing Traffic Noise and Its Impact on High-Rise Apartment Buildings Adjacent to an Urban Expressway: A Case Study in Chengdu, China

With rapid urbanization, traffic growth has accelerated in some cities in China. Due to strict urban construction land utilization policies, many high-rise apartment buildings have been constructed adjacent to expressways. To better understand the impact of urban traffic noise on the residents of high residential buildings adjacent to expressways and the differences in noise impacts on different floors, on-site noise monitoring and questionnaires for building residents have been conducted. The characteristics of traffic noise were analyzed based on the measured data, and factors, including time periods and building floors, were considered. According to the results of the questionnaire survey, 56.06% of the male respondents and 54.55% of the female respondents think that the impact of traffic noise on high-rise buildings is “high” or “very high”; 50.53% of the respondents who were in “good” or “very good” condition thought that the traffic noise has a “significant impact” or “very significant impact” on their sleep and daily life. In addition, 25% of respondents living on floors 4–10 and 62.5% of respondents living on floors 11–20 considered the traffic noise to have a “significant impact” or “very significant impact” on their sleep and daily life. The on-site noise monitoring results show that the noise levels (LAeq) outside the windows of the studied buildings remain significantly elevated, with daytime noise on working days ranging from 56 to 70 dB(A), and on weekends ranging from 50 to 65 dB(A). During the four time periods on weekdays from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m., 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., and 10 p.m. to 12 a.m., the average LAeq levels on floors 11–20 are higher than those on floors 4–10 by 4.04 dB(A), 4.92 dB(A), 4.06 dB(A), and 2.67 dB(A), respectively. Similarly, during these time periods on weekends, the levels on floors 11–20 are higher than those on floors 4–10 by 4.96 dB(A), 6.32 dB(A), 5.28 dB(A), and 5.24 dB(A), respectively. This indicates that floors 4–10 of the building experience relatively lower noise levels, while floors 11–20 are subjected to comparatively higher levels of noise disturbance.

Association of residential environment with depression and anxiety symptoms among older adults in China: A cross-sectional population-based study

This study, grounded in environmental psychology, investigated the correlation between residential environments and the prevalence of depression and anxiety among older adults in China. Utilizing data from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey, it evaluated the incidence of depression and anxiety among 11,614 participants aged 65 and above across 23 provinces in China and examined how residential factors affect mental health. The findings revealed that 26.9 % of the participants had symptoms of depression and 11.7 % had symptoms of anxiety. A logistic regression analysis highlighted a significant relationship between various aspects of the residential environment and depression and anxiety among older adults. The influence risk factors from the residential environment included, but were not limited to, not house ownership, having no one's own bedroom, living in high-rise apartment, water leakage or a musty smell in the home and having no kitchen ventilation. The study makes a novel theoretical contribution by identifying key environmental factors affecting the well-being of the elderly, thereby filling a gap in the literature regarding the influence of physical living conditions on older adults' mental health. This pioneering research, with its nationwide scope and focus on Chinese older adult population, not only advances academic understanding but also has practical implications for urban planning and public health policies that aim to improve the quality of life for the elderly through interventions targeting residential environments.

Linkages between urban growth and land surface temperature variations in the Seoul metropolitan area: A spatial first-order difference approach

This study investigates the effects of urban development and expansion on Land Surface Temperature (LST) changes from 2000 to 2018, using the Seoul Metropolitan area (SMA) as a case study area. Along with descriptive analysis, this study uses a spatial first-order difference model to statistically analyze the longitudinal relationship between land use features and LST, including impervious surface (IS), enhanced vegetation index (EVI), anthropogenic factors, and urban spatial and topographical factors as well as urban development types as influential factors on LST variations. Our findings support prior research indicating the cooling effects of vegetation and warming effects of imperviousness. We also found a positive association between detached housing units, manufacturing activities and LST changes and a negative relationship between apartment units, urban parks, service activities and LST changes. More importantly, substantial LST reduction was found in the large-scale high-rise apartment complexes redeveloped from the low-rise, detached housing sites in inner-city infill areas, contrasting with significant LST rise in the suburban new town development. We suggest redevelopment of inner-city low-rise compact areas into high-rise but greener blocks as a LST mitigation strategy, equipped with cooling strategies such as green infrastructure and climate-sensitive design considering local microclimate and natural ventilation.

What can TikTok tell us about the food practices of the residents of tiny apartments?

With continuing population growth and increased urbanisation, the prevalence of apartment living will also increase. The food practices and diet of apartment residents may differ to those in lower density, detached or semi-detached housing. Food practices may be impacted by physical constraints of apartment kitchens (size, storage, cooking facilities) and the influence of the surrounding community food environment, particularly in smaller apartments. High-rise apartment residents spend a larger proportion of their weekly household budget on eating foods prepared out of the home 1. This is concerning given meals prepared outside the home tend to be of lower diet quality 2 and are associated with higher body weight 3. This study investigated how kitchens, residents’ food practices and hypothesised barriers to healthy eating were portrayed on popular TikTok videos associated with hashtags denoting small apartments. Using the keyword ‘microapartment’, the top four most viewed hashtags relevant to the topic were identified: #studioapartment (190.5 million views), #smallapartment (152.5 million views), #tinyapartment (62 million views), and #microapartment/ #microapartments (4.9 million views combined). The most liked videos (n = 50) from each of these four hashtags and #apartment (as a comparator) were selected for investigation. Using a REDCap survey, two researchers independently coded a random sample of 15 videos, with comparison and discussion to tighten codebook definitions and reduce ambiguity. Subsequently over half of all videos were coded by at least two researchers, achieving acceptable inter-rater reliability (Cohen’s kappa >0.8). Each video was coded for engagement characteristics, user profile, and characteristics of individuals appearing. Further coding included apartment size, kitchen features displayed or mentioned, and food practices (grocery shopping, cooking at home, and eating foods prepared out of the home). Videos were categorised as having positive sentiment if they depicted the apartment in an explicitly positive way, including promoting or encouraging an aspect of apartment living or indicating support for a behaviour. Conversely, videos were coded as being of negative sentiment where they depicted a clear negative position on an aspect of apartment living. Else, the video was coded as neutral sentiment. The majority of videos (87%) portrayed apartment living with a positive or neutral sentiment; with only 2% of videos portraying kitchen size or function negatively. The expected physical constraints of small apartment kitchens were not evident in the videos, nor were interactions with the food environment surrounding the apartment. Indeed, in the small number of videos portraying the food practices of cooking, shopping and eating, the videos highlighted the ability to undertake these practices despite limitations of size and facilities. As the food practices of residents of small apartments are not well researched, it is not known whether their portrayal on TikTok may indeed reflect reality, or may be a glamorisation.

영국의 임대주택 임차인 보호를 위한 법제 연구

The UK stipulates laws such as the Housing Act and the Housing Reorganization Act to ensure the stable provision and management of social housing. However, a fire incident that occurred in a high-rise apartment in the UK in 2017, where low-income people and immigrants mainly lived, served as an opportunity to reexamine potential safety problems in social housing. In particular, this case raised the need to improve the government's method of regulating social housing, as the number of victims could have been reduced if minimum safety measures had been in place. In response to this incident, a law was enacted in 2023 to improve the safety of social housing and the living environment of tenants, strengthening the role of social housing regulatory agencies. The law is expected to be a catalyst for a proactive approach to regulating social housing and taking action against landlords who do not meet standards. In this paper, analyze the main contents of the 2023 Social Housing (Regulation) Act) and introduce the provisions of the law for the protection of social housing tenants. As bills related to the management of apartment complexes and the government's bill to support joint management costs for permanent social housing are still pending in the Korea National Assembly, the UK's revised law on the facility management of apartment complexes by regulatory agencies can be used as a reference for the legislative aspect.

Controllable baffle-type exhaust-hood in home kitchen

In order to reduce the pressure of the central smoke shaft in high-rise apartments, a controllable baffle-hood was proposed to improve the smoke removal efficiency without increase the exhaust airflow rate in the kitchen. A series of baffle-type hoods with various locations and shape of panel were explored to evaluate the pollutant removal efficiency. The results showed that the baffle design reduces pollutant concentration by 8%–71% and lowers temperature by 0.8 °C–2.0 °C compared to conventional range hoods. A power function relationship was found between pollutant concentration and air velocity at cross-sectional of inlet. The panel is still a simple and useful technology in the home kitchen, if it can solve the convenience of cooking operations.

Mitigating indoor air pollution in UAE's high-rise apartment buildings: a study on eco-friendly materials and adsorbents

PurposeThis study aims to evaluate the efficiency of various techniques for enhancing indoor air quality (IAQ) in construction. It analyzed the alterations in the concentration of indoor air pollutants over time for each product employed in controlling pollution sources and removing it, which included eco-friendly substances and adsorbents. The study will provide more precise and dependable data on the effectiveness of these control methods, ultimately supporting the creation of more efficient and sustainable approaches for managing indoor air pollution in buildings.Design/methodology/approachThe research investigates the impact of eco-friendly materials and adsorbents on improving indoor air quality (IAQ) in Dubai's tall apartment buildings. Field experiments were conducted in six units of The Gate Tower, comparing the IAQ of three units built with “excellent” grade eco-friendly materials with three built with “good” grade materials. Another experiment evaluated two adsorbent products (H and Z) in the Majestic Tower over six months. Results indicate that “excellent” grade materials significantly reduced toluene emissions. Adsorbent product Z showed promising results in pollutant reduction, but there is concern about the long-term behavior of adsorbed chemicals. The study emphasizes further research on household pollutant management.FindingsThe research studied the effects of eco-friendly materials and adsorbents on indoor air quality in Dubai's new apartments. It found that apartments using “excellent” eco-friendly materials had significantly better air quality, particularly reduced toluene concentrations, compared to those using “good” materials. However, high formaldehyde (HCHO) emissions were observed from wood products. While certain construction materials led to increased ethylbenzene and xylene levels, adsorbent product Z showed promise in reducing pollutants. Yet, there is a potential concern about the long-term rerelease of these trapped chemicals. The study emphasizes the need for ongoing research in indoor pollutant management.Research limitations/implicationsThe research, while extensive, faced limitations in assessing the long-term behavior of adsorbed chemicals, particularly the potential for rereleasing trapped pollutants over time. Despite the study spanning a considerable period, indoor air pollutant concentrations in target households did not stabilize, making it challenging to determine definitive improvement effects and reduction rates among products. Comparisons were primarily relative between target units, and the rapid rise in pollutants during furniture introduction warrants further examination. Consequently, while the research provides essential insights, it underscores the need for more prolonged and comprehensive evaluations to fully understand the materials' and adsorbents' impacts on indoor air quality.Practical implicationsThe research underscores the importance of choosing eco-friendly materials in new apartment constructions for better IAQ. Specifically, using “excellent” graded materials can significantly reduce harmful pollutants like toluene. However, the study also highlights that certain construction activities, such as introducing furniture, can rapidly elevate pollutant levels. Moreover, while adsorbents like product Z showed promise in reducing pollutants, there is potential for adsorbed chemicals to be rereleased over time. For practical implementation, prioritizing higher-grade eco-friendly materials and further investigation into furniture emissions and long-term behavior of adsorbents can lead to healthier indoor environments in newly built apartments.Originality/valueThe research offers a unique empirical assessment of eco-friendly materials' impact on indoor air quality within Dubai's rapidly constructed apartment buildings. Through field experiments, it directly compares different material grades, providing concrete data on pollutant levels in newly built environments. Additionally, it explores the efficacy of specific adsorbents, which is of high value to the construction and public health sectors. The findings shed light on how construction choices can influence indoor air pollution, offering valuable insights to builders, policymakers and residents aiming to promote public health and safety in urban living spaces.

Social impacts of living in high-rise apartment buildings: The effects of buildings and neighborhoods

ABSTRACT Social networks, social cohesion, and place attachment are positive social impacts that can stimulate people’s quality of life. High-rise apartment buildings are often criticized for their negative social impacts, such as social isolation and low levels of interaction and social cohesion. However, there is still insufficient empirical evidence on the relationships between neighborhood social networks, social cohesion, place attachment, and loneliness of high-rise apartment residents and how they are affected by the physical environment and neighborhood satisfaction. This study uses structural equation modeling (SEM) to investigate these relationships using data collected in four high-rise apartment complexes in Hanoi, Vietnam. While the number of neighbors in someone’s social network is found to stimulate social cohesion, which can foster neighborhood attachment and reduce feelings of loneliness, the possibility of improving these social impacts is affected by urban contexts, site properties, and the ability to provide communal spaces within and surrounding the buildings.