Occupancy Evaluation Research Articles

Indoor environment and user perceptions in offices in Greenland compared to Denmark

Most of the Greenlandic building stock comprises residential houses and apartments. Consequently, the indoor environment in Greenlandic office buildings has not been subject to wide-ranging investigations. The purpose of this study was to investigate the indoor environment in office buildings in Greenland and to characterise the buildings, their indoor environment, and occupant well-being, health and self-assessed performance. This was done through a post occupancy evaluation (POE), where 22 office buildings, including 70 offices in Nuuk and Sisimiut, were evaluated based on indoor environment measurements and questionnaires of occupants' perceived indoor environment. This was compared with data and results from a related study in office buildings in Denmark (26 office buildings, including 83 offices) collected in the same period. The Danish office buildings performed slightly better than the Greenlandic office buildings regarding the perceived indoor environment. The measured indoor environment differed in performance between the countries when benchmarking towards the requirements and guidelines of the Danish Working Environment Authority (DWEA). It was concluded that the office buildings in Greenland did not differ much from the office buildings in Denmark regarding the measured and perceived indoor environment.

Optimising indoor environmental quality: Development of a benchmarking tool for valuing performance in office buildings

A novel benchmarking tool, the Building Office Benchmark (BOB) tool, has been developed to evaluate the economic benefit of increased work performance by upgrading the indoor environmental quality (IEQ) in office buildings. Utilising post occupancy evaluations in Danish and Greenlandic office buildings (26 buildings in Denmark and 22 buildings in Greenland comprising a total of 153 offices), a database comprising registration of building properties, measurements of IEQ parameters and occupant responses has been established. This may be used not only to benchmark the indoor environment in office buildings but also to identify suboptimal conditions and, based on this, quantify the economic benefits of indoor environment upgrades.Informed by literature review findings, the tool's IEQ domains and weightings of different IEQ domains and parameters align with existing certification schemes. The tool may be used to outline the economic advantages of IEQ improvements, presented straightforwardly to building owners and tenants. Overall, the tool presents a framework for assessing and improving IEQ in office environments.

A Post Occupancy Evaluation of the Space Utilization of Cultural Heritage in Children’s Education: A Case Study of Wuhan’s Historical Districts, China

Cultural heritage has educational value because it provides children with a realistic learning environment and a wealth of educational resources. This study intends to fill a gap in academic research by evaluating the efficiency of utilizing cultural heritage in children’s education. This study uses the Post Occupancy Evaluation (POE) method to create a comprehensive evaluation index system. Through research and analysis of six key elements—inheritance of historical context, improvement in environmental quality, completion of infrastructure, achievement of educational goals, participation in children in activities, and sustainable development—it was discovered that rational utilization of cultural heritage space significantly improves the educational experience and promotes cultural heritage transmission. This study is significant since it provides an empirical foundation for educational practice and serves as a valuable guide for innovative heritage transmission and policy creation. Our findings emphasize the necessity of incorporating educational goals into preserving and revitalizing cultural heritage, advocating for a forward-thinking approach that honors the past while fostering learning and progress for future generations.

A technological construction of society: Comparing GPT‐4 and human respondents for occupational evaluation in the UK

AbstractDespite initial research about the biases and perceptions of large language models (LLMs), we lack evidence on how LLMs evaluate occupations, especially in comparison to human evaluators. In this paper, we present a systematic comparison of occupational evaluations by GPT‐4 with those from an in‐depth, high‐quality and recent human respondents survey in the UK. Covering the full ISCO‐08 occupational landscape, with 580 occupations and two distinct metrics (prestige and social value), our findings indicate that GPT‐4 and human scores are highly correlated across all ISCO‐08 major groups. At the same time, GPT‐4 substantially under‐ or overestimates the occupational prestige and social value of many occupations, particularly for emerging digital and stigmatized or illicit occupations. Our analyses show both the potential and risk of using LLM‐generated data for sociological and occupational research. We also discuss the policy implications of our findings for the integration of LLM tools into the world of work.

Research on the evaluation of occupants' work efficiency in summer thermal environment of special vehicles based on subjective thermal sensation

High summer temperatures in special vehicle cabins affect drivers and occupants, reducing efficiency and combat potential. Improving occupant work efficiency is key to enhancing overall combat effectiveness. There's a lack of research on the work efficiency of special vehicle occupants engaged in complex, specialized tasks within cabin thermal environments. This study focused on a special vehicle, discussing the effects of the summer thermal environment in the cabin on personnel efficiency. It linked subjective thermal sensations to work efficiency through questionnaires and task performance evaluations. The best work efficiency environment may not be the environment with the highest thermal comfort. This paper presented a subjective thermal sensation range criterion for maintaining the work efficiency of the occupants in the cabin during the summer. This serves as a basis for optimizing the summer thermal environment and improving the reliability of human-vehicle systems in special vehicle cabins.

Post occupancy evaluation of private open spaces in dwelling units in single family investment housing projects in Erbil city

Due to urbanization, it has been found that in many cases public open spaces in the city are not maintained, as new investments are trying to make use of the land to construct more buildings The shortage of public open spaces can be treated by providing a sufficient amount of private open spaces in housing estates. Furthermore, the designers need to consider the dwelling layout to provide the best environment for the residents; this will maintain a high level of household satisfaction. One main element of household satisfaction is open spaces. In this research paper, private open space assessments in 4 investment projects with 98 samples in Erbil were considered. To investigate and examine how the exterior environment of the dwellings affects the residents’ satisfaction, based on plot size and number of bedrooms, surveys were performed on selected projects through documentation surveys and questionnaires. Then the evaluation was performed through two stages, firstly the technical assessment stage according to Iraqi standards, and secondly the residents’ response stage regarding satisfaction levels. The research objectives were obtained using SPSS software, through the use of descriptive statistics, correlation, and regression analysis. The results of the research discovered that all the projects except Minara B were slightly above the minimum level, thus in the range of Iraqi standards. Moreover, the level of overall satisfaction with these projects ranged from neutral to slightly satisfied, with the residents’ responses stating that they needed more private open spaces.

Completion of Service in the Israel Defense Forces as a Volunteer with Autism vs Other Psychiatric Disorders: A Survival Analysis

Military service in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) is compulsory. As part of the conscription process, individuals undergo a thorough occupational evaluation, which may include advanced psychiatric testing. As a result, some individuals are excluded based on presentations of psychiatric diagnoses, such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), but they can volunteer with the IDF in special capacities (psychiatric volunteers). This study aimed to examine completion rates and correlates of psychiatric volunteers during the first year of service. We used historical data maintained by the IDF to identify psychiatric volunteers (N = 1,159, 76.9% male, M[SD] age = 19.65[0.94]). Overall, 32.3% (n = 374) of psychiatric volunteers had a diagnosis of ASD and 67.7% (n = 785) had other psychiatric diagnoses. We used survival analysis. Overall, 59.5% (n = 690) of the sample completed their first year of volunteering. Non-ASD compared with ASD psychiatric diagnoses (OR = 2.057) was at greater risk to dropout in the first year. Individuals with ASD are more likely to stay in the military as part of volunteer service than individuals with other psychiatric disorders. Individuals with ASD may meaningfully benefit from – and contribute to – military service.

Occupational prestige and occupational social value in the United Kingdom: New indices for the modern British economy

Sociological research has long been interested in occupational evaluation. However, occupational research remains hampered by conceptual ambiguity and methodological problems. To address these issues, we present new indices of occupational prestige and occupational social value for 576 occupation titles aligned with the ILO International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO-08). A shorter core list with 130 occupation titles – one per ISCO-08 minor group – is also provided. Based on comprehensive and recent evidence from 2429 respondents, we carve out the evaluative landscape of occupations in the United Kingdom. We show how occupational prestige and occupational social value are correlated but distinct. A clear hierarchy appears, with highly educated occupations at the top and stigmatised or illicit occupations at the bottom. The study thus contributes to social stratification research and encourages reuse of the scores in future occupational research.

Post occupancy evaluation of housing reconstruction after cyclone sidr

Post occupancy evaluation of housing reconstruction after cyclone sidr

Parking Occupancy Detection using Computer Vision Techniques

The surge in vehicle numbers on roads contributes significantly to traffic congestion and management challenges, particularly evident in developing nations like India where the influx of cars exceeds road and parking capacity. Addressing these issues necessitates the implementation of sophisticated parking management systems. This project focuses on two key objectives: detecting vehicle occupancy within marked parking slots and analyzing parking data. Using the parking lot near IIT Kanpur main gate as a reference, video data was collected for 14 consecutive days, enabling the evaluation of vehicle occupancy and parking patterns. Object detection algorithms such as Mask-RCNN and YOLO-v5 were employed to identify occupied parking spaces within the lot. Various methods, including HAAR cascade-based classifiers, DNN-based systems utilizing ResNet classifiers, and RCNN with IoU, were tested for detecting vehicles within allotted slots. The data collected was stored in CSV format for analysis. This project aims to provide insights into detecting parking space availability and analyzing parking data to optimize time and fuel efficiency. In the Mask-RCNN approach, pre-occupied spaces are denoted by red boxes, while green boxes represent available parking spots. Similarly, YOLOv5 was utilized to count cars in video frames and identify available parking spaces. The YOLO Annotation Toolbox facilitated the extraction of parking space coordinates from recorded video frames, which were then visualized in QGIS for further analysis.

Spatial experience of cancer inpatients in the oncology wards: A qualitative study in visual design aspects

PurposeThis paper aims to explore how the visual characteristics of cancer wards' interior spaces can be improved based on the combined visual design themes to help cancer inpatients’ spatial experience and relieved state of mind. Accordingly, we present a visual design framework that can be applied in oncology wards. MethodThis study adopts the Ulrich-supportive design theory as a theoretical framework using two main methodological phases: observation of cancer wards and interviews with professional caregivers. The first phase critically explores hospital cancer wards' interactive aesthetical and visual interior characteristics. Next, we adjusted the visual criteria based on the Post Occupation Evaluation (POE) method to develop the interview questions. Interviews were conducted with experienced nurses, oncologists, and a general physician, all from a cancer ward at McGill University Health Center (MUHC) in Montreal, Canada. ResultsWe presented 11 main themes in the categories of color and light, natural/artistic images, way-finding, and visual clutter. To present and justify our visual design framework, these main themes were then classified based on the common goals, resulting in four combined themes: applying simplicity and usability; developing naturality; creating homeyness and respecting patients’ agency; and promoting trustworthiness. ConclusionOur findings suggest that—apart from the last theme, promoting trustworthiness, the rest are in line with Ulrich's supportive design theory. Therefore, further research is needed to investigate “promoting trustworthiness” in the context of cancer wards. In addition, each aspect of the visual design framework can offer practical design recommendations for future studies.

Country Park Landscape Quality Evaluation and Optimization Strategies Based on the AHP-TOPSIS-POE Model: A Case Study of Four Country Parks in Shanghai

To clarify the differences in the landscape environment quality of urban country parks, we used the analytic hierarchy process method (AHP) and the approaching ideal solution method (TOPSIS) to build a criterion layer from four points of view: ecological environment, visual landscape, service facilities and humanistic landscape. We selected 21 evaluation factors to form an index layer to evaluate the landscape quality of four country parks in Shanghai. The AHPTOPSIS evaluation system was validated using the post occupancy evaluation method (POE) to verify the accuracy and appropriateness of the system. We proposed landscape improvement strategies based on the evaluation results. The results showed that the combined AHP-TOPSIS-POE model can be used to effectively assign weights to evaluation indexes when evaluating the landscape quality of country parks and to avoid the one-sidedness of single-factor decision making and the errors caused by human subjective factors. The AHP-TOPSIS-POE model provides a new framework for evaluating the landscape quality of urban country parks.

Scoping review of post occupancy evaluation of office buildings with focus on indoor environmental quality and productivity

Post occupancy evaluation (POE) is used widely to evaluate if a building performs as envisioned during the design phase, and more importantly, if the occupants feel healthy and well. The aim of the present study was to review the practices of post occupancy evaluation in office buildings and assess how they evaluated indoor environmental quality (IEQ) and productivity/performance. This was done using a systematic literature search process. A total of 136 papers summarising the findings of 116 studies were included. The studies were analysed according to study type, country, number of buildings, study purpose and objective, applied methods, indoor environmental quality parameters, occupant responses, and productivity/performance assessment. The findings suggest that there is no overall “one-size-fits-all” post occupancy evaluation protocol dominating the assessment of office buildings. The methods and practices varied between studies but questionnaires to the occupants were used consistently; many of the questionnaires were inspired by existing survey schemes. The assessed indoor environmental quality parameters also varied between studies and depended on the purpose of the specific study. Productivity or performance was evaluated in approximately 1/3 of the studies, primarily by self-reported assessment via the questionnaire. Major shortcomings identified were the uncertainties associated with the performance assessment, how to put the findings into practice, and how to assess the cost-benefit of the findings.

Meaning Change in U.S. Occupational Identities during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Was It Temporary or Durable?

The COVID-19 pandemic altered social and economic life in the United States, displacing many people from their typical relationship to the institution of work. Our research uses affect control theory’s measurement structure to examine how cultural meanings for occupational identities shifted during the pandemic on the dimensions of evaluation (good-bad), potency (powerful-powerless), and activity (lively-inactive). Quinn et al. found that most occupations were seen as less good and powerful in the early stages of the pandemic than they were shortly before it began, with greater evaluation loss for nonessential occupations and greater potency loss for occupations classified as essential by state executive orders. We add a third wave to these data to reassess meanings after the pandemic eased and vaccines were developed. We use linear mixed modeling to estimate meaning changes across all three waves and to explore whether these changes differed for essential versus nonessential occupations. We find that evaluation and potency ratings of occupations rebounded over the longer term—a pattern that fits a control model of stable cultural meaning. Our results contribute to discussions in cultural sociology about beliefs and their stability.

Relationship between indoor environmental quality and residential mobility: implications for student housing design and management in Northern Ghana

PurposeThis study aims to establish the relationship between indoor environmental quality and residential mobility in student housing in Ghana.Design/methodology/approachUsing multiple regression and exploratory factor analysis through post occupancy evaluation, 26 indoor environmental quality (IEQ) indicators were explored among 1,912 students living in Purpose-Built off-campus university housing in Northern Ghana.FindingsThe study established a negative relationship between indoor environmental quality and residential mobility among student housing in Northern Ghana. Residential mobility is primarily attributed to the dissatisfaction with thermal and indoor air quality.Practical implicationsThe negative relationship affects vacancy and rental cashflows for property investors. Also, understanding local environmental conditions can influence future student housing design and enhance thermal and indoor air quality.Originality/valueThe authors contribute to studies on indoor environmental quality in student housing. In addition, establishing the relationship between indoor environmental quality and residential mobility in tropical African regions is novel.

Shared workspace design: elements of analysis for a healthy work experience

Purpose This paper aims to propose and provide an overview of a model analysis that considers the main spatial design attributes that influence and produce the most relevant salutogenic outcomes. These results are essential for a healthy work experience, especially in shared workspaces. Design/methodology/approach This study departs from the theoretical contributions of the salutogenic approach, principles from supportive design theory, psychosocial supportive design and the environmental demands and resources model. After a scoping literature review covering different fields of workspace design, environmental psychology and evidence-based design of health-care facilities, a conceptual analysis is done on a proposed understanding of work, health and environmental relations to overview spatial attributes that enhance specific salutogenic and well-being-promoting outcomes needed for a healthy work experience. Findings The model of analysis, as a theoretical element that helps create methodological tools, combined with the application of a post occupancy evaluation, is thought to assist architects, designers, workspace owners and stakeholders in their new designs or to evaluate existing ones. Originality/value Studies on defining spatial attributes and their intended salutogenic outcomes have been formally done in health-care facilities. However, applying this idea to shared workspaces is something new and is expected to contribute to their design and evaluation, especially if the notion of environmental demands and resources is complemented.

A Technological Construction of Society: Comparing GPT-4 and Human Respondents for Occupational Evaluation in the UK

A Technological Construction of Society: Comparing GPT-4 and Human Respondents for Occupational Evaluation in the UK

Enhancing indoor air quality in office buildings: Insight from a field study

Building tight for minimizing building energy consumption and related carbon emissions might negatively affect indoor air quality (IAQ) if this is not correctly designed and evaluated during operation. To address this concern, a post occupancy evaluation study was conducted in a recent large office building in the Autonomous Province of Bolzano (Italy). The aim of the study was to collect evidence from a relevant case study and use it as a basis to define a standardized strategy for continuous monitoring of a larger portfolio of office buildings. Additionally, carbon dioxide (CO2), particulate matter (PM2.5, PM10), total volatile organic compounds (TVOC), air temperature, and relative humidity were recorded 24/7 for a 5-week period in winter 2023. Detailed spot measurements of VOCs and aldehydes were also carried out. Perceived air quality (PAQ) was evaluated through satisfaction surveys which covered various factors influencing PAQ including 14 potential sources of dissatisfaction. A cross-modal approach allowed for a comprehensive examination of the different domains (thermal, visual, acoustic, and IAQ) on PAQ. Measured contaminants’ levels were below recommended limits. Overall, participants were neither satisfied nor dissatisfied with PAQ, and possible related sources of dissatisfaction were elements such as the relative humidity. Sick building syndrome (SBS) selfreported symptoms such as dry skin and itchy eyes confirmed potentially too low relative humidity levels.

POST OCCUPANCY EVALUATION (POE) FOR ENHANCING SATISFACTION LEVEL OF COMFORTS IN MALAYSIA’S SCHOOL BUILDINGS

The physical factors of building performance in a school building must be determined to meet the users’ basic requirement of comfort level. The disruption of physical factors such as ventilation, lighting, or thermal may constitute to reduce the productivity and efficiency among users. Thus, Post Occupancy Evaluation (POE) is a significant tool to indicate the level of satisfaction and occupants’ comfort in ensuring the current issues mainly related to physical aspects such as indoor environmental quality, space utilization, energy efficiency, and so forth. Therefore, the primary purpose of this study is to assess the satisfaction level of school building users in Malaysia, including students, teachers, and staff to improve the quality of the indoor environment in a school building as the leading learning space for the future generation. The interview was conducted with 12 participants in determining the satisfaction level of building performance assessment on school buildings. Next, the survey instrument was distributed to 224 respondents in 7 different schools, to evaluate the awareness level of POE in current practice and to analyse the physical criteria to conduct the evaluation standards on school buildings in Malaysia. This study concludes that POE is the most accurate approach to estimate the quality of building performance, especially for school buildings. Also, it should be emphasized as a continuous routine of physical environment evaluation or a periodic assessment of school buildings.

DEMAND-ABILITIES FIT AND PRESTIGE INFLUENCE OLDER WORKERS’ INTEREST IN ALTERNATIVE JOBS

Abstract With the increasing displacement of workers due to technological innovations, many older workers may need or want to make career transitions. Therefore, it is critical to understand the factors that influence older workers acceptance of potential alternative careers. In this study, long-distance truck drivers (n=202), a profession at-risk of technological disruption, completed an online survey where they rated six alternative transition occupations (e.g., machine setting, operator and tender, cargo and freight agent) to understand what makes them interested in alternate jobs. Using multilevel modeling (with occupations nested in participants), we evaluated the role of perceptions of demand-abilities fit and prestige, as moderated by age, on interest in alternative careers. Demand-abilities fit and job prestige were positively associated with rated job appeal, which was positively associated with interest in the job as a transition occupation. Older drivers, relative to younger truck drivers, found job prestige to be more appealing, which appeared to make them more interested in transitioning into these jobs. Our results extend person-environment fit and socio-emotional selectivity theory by showcasing how age relates to evaluations of occupations for career transitions, an area that is rising in importance given the increases in an aging workforce and potential disruptions from automation. Results carry practical importance for preparing the workforce for career disruptions given automation by identifying qualities that may shape workers’ willingness to transition, and identifying how these qualities differ based on age.