Analysis of the Concept of Vitality in the Spatial Configuration of Educational Environments Using Space Syntax Technique (Schools in Kerman City)
Keywords:
Vitality, educational spaces, space syntax, Kerman schoolsAbstract
Vitality, as one of the fundamental components of the quality of educational spaces, plays a significant role in strengthening social interactions and increasing students’ active presence and can enhance the sense of liveliness and dynamism within educational environments. The present study aimed to explain the relationship between space syntax components and indicators of vitality within the spatial configuration of schools. The study employed a mixed-methods research design integrating quantitative and qualitative approaches through a convergent strategy. In the first stage, the factors influencing vitality were identified through a review of the literature and interviews with educational professionals, including school principals and teachers. Subsequently, a questionnaire was distributed among students, and the resulting data were analyzed using a snowball sampling approach to identify the principal components. In the second stage, the spatial configurations of six schools in Kerman City were analyzed using Space Syntax software, and the indicators of depth, integration, and spatial connectivity were assessed in the schools’ floor plans. The results revealed a significant relationship between space syntax components and spatial vitality, indicating that schools characterized by open-plan configurations, appropriate spatial depth, and legible accessibility exhibited higher levels of vitality and interaction. Moreover, the presence of open lobbies with high levels of spatial integration contributed to enhanced social interactions among students. Based on the findings, Reyhaneh, Keramat, and Namjoo schools demonstrated the highest levels of spatial integration and vitality.
Downloads
References
1. Nikpour A, Yarahmadi M. Identifying Factors Affecting Livability in Nourabad Mamasani. Urban Structure and Function Studies. 2020;7(23).
2. Cowan R. The Dictionary of Urbanism. 1st ed. Tehran: Parham Naghsh Publication; 2010.
3. Yue W, Chen Y, Thy PTM, Fan P, Liu Y, Zhang W. Identifying Urban Vitality in Metropolitan Areas of Developing Countries from a Comparative Perspective: Ho Chi Minh City versus Shanghai. Sustainable Cities and Society. 2021;65:102609.
4. Azmati S, Sajjadi K. The Relationship between Spatial Configuration and Accessibility in Improving the Functional Quality of Boys' Elementary Schools in Shiraz: Case Studies of Sehat, Maaref 6, Maaref 7, and Elm-o-Zendegi Schools. Armanshahr Architecture & Urban Development. 2023;16(41):1-16.
5. Moradi M, Jafari SE, Abedi MR. Happiness and Personality: A Review Study. Advances in Cognitive Sciences. 2005;7(2).
6. Martin AJ, Marsh HW. Academic Buoyancy and Its Psychological and Educational Correlates: A Construct Validity Approach. Psychology in the Schools. 2006;43(3):267-82.
7. Dehghanizadeh MH, Hossein Chari M. Academic Buoyancy and Perception of Family Communication Patterns: The Mediating Role of Self-Efficacy. Journal of Learning and Instruction Studies. 2012;4(2).
8. Mozaffar F, Hosseini SB, Bagheri M, Azmati HR. The Role of Neighborhood Open Spaces in Children's Growth and Creativity. Bagh-e Nazar. 2007:59-72.
9. Azmati HR, Parvizi R, Karimi Azari AR, Aghabeygi Kalalaki M. Effective Design Principles for Enhancing Students' Creativity in Educational Spaces: A Case Study of Girls' High Schools in Lahijan. Innovation and Creativity in Human Sciences. 2016;6(2):121-42.
10. Chapman D. Creating Neighbourhoods and Places in the Built Environment. Tehran: University of Tehran Press; 2005.
11. Ziran H, Basat Ghorashi Minaabad M, Amar Hajishir K, Pourramazan I. The Role of Housing Transformations in the Environmental Quality of Rural Areas with Emphasis on Vitality: A Case Study of Sangar District, Sirjan County. New Perspectives in Human Geography. 2019(3):90-113.
12. Ahmadi F, Nikbakht B, editors. Designing Urban Public Spaces Based on Analysis of the Relationship between Urban Form and Vitality: A Case Study of Hemmatabad Neighborhood. Third International Congress on Civil Engineering, Architecture, and Urban Development; 2015; Tehran, Iran: Permanent Secretariat of the International Congress on Civil Engineering, Architecture, and Urban Development, Shahid Beheshti University.
13. Golkar K. The Concept of Vitality Quality in Urban Design. Soffeh. 2007(44).
14. Tzonis A. Rethinking Design Methodology for Sustainable Social Quality. Tropical Sustainable Architecture: Social and Environmental Dimensions. Oxford: Architectural Press; 2006.
15. Zarin S, Niroomand M, Heidari AA, editors. Physical and Social Aspects of Vitality: Case Study of Traditional Street and Modern Street in Tehran. Asian Conference on Environment-Behaviour Studies; 2015; Korea.
16. Fallah Manshadi E, Habibi S, Roohi A. Pedestrian Zones: From Vision to Action Evaluation of Pedestrian Zone in Tehran Bazaar. 2012;5(9):45-63.
17. Rismanchian O, Bell S. A Practical Understanding of the Space Syntax Method in Understanding the Spatial Configuration of Cities. Fine Arts Quarterly: Architecture and Urban Planning. 2010(43):49-56.
18. Paul A. Axial Analysis: A Syntactic Approach to Movement Network Modeling. Institute of Town Planners, India Journal. 2011;8(1):29-40.
19. Lamprecht M. Space Syntax as a Socio-Economic Approach: A Review of Potentials in the Polish Context. Miscellanea Geographica. 2022;26(1):5-14.
20. Gharaei SS, Mansouri SA, Singari M. The Role of Space Syntax in Landscape Analysis. Manzar Journal. 2022(14):20-9.
21. Pakzad J. A Discussion on the Concept and Status of Vitality. Urban Design Discourse. 2019(1):46-53.
22. Jacobs J. The Death and Life of Great American Cities. Tehran: University of Tehran Press; 2007.
Downloads
Publication Timeline
- Submitted
- Revised
- Accepted
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Amir Abbas Sabernia (Author); Mahdieh Moeini; Ali Yazhari Kermani (Author)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
