This research examines the relationship between social identity and the perception and preference of urban public space. The objective of the research is to determine the effect different characteristics or properties of the public space have on the perception and preference among the different socio-cultural groups.
16. Introduction Research Objectives Methodology Results Discussion Results
Characteristic Image Ethiopian Israeli Arab
Ultra
Orthodox
Tsabar Soviet Union
All
participants
Building
Height
(A)
Medium height (A1)
Tall building (A2)
Low building (A3)
Street
Furniture
(B)
Concrete benches (B1)
Wooden benches (B2)
Stone benches (B3)
Paving
(C)
Granolithic paving (C1)
Stone paving(C2)
Wooden paving (C3)
Fixed
Functions
(D)
Brand name shops (D1)
Cafes and restaurants (D2)
Services (D3)
Vegetation
(E)
No vegetation (E1)
Thick vegetation (E2)
Thin vegetation (E3)
Density
(F)
High density (F1)
Low density (F2)
Medium density (F3)
Activity
(G)
Motion activities (G1)
Stationary activities (G2)
Spectatorship activities (G3)
Nighttime
Lighting
(H)
Medium lighting level (H1)
Low lighting level (H2)
High lighting level (H3)
Quantitative Results
16 Environmental Quality and Preference among Different Socio‐Cultural Groups in Israeli Society Adi Reich Roman
Most Favored Ratings
20. Introduction Research Objectives Methodology Results Discussion Discussion
Ethiopian Group Profile
• Uses ‐ “An environment which has a variety of activities,
walking, sitting, shops, different people” (Ethiopian woman, 20‐40)
• Practicality and Convenience ‐ “Health center, post office,
bank – these are the places I attend at least once a month”
(Ethiopian woman, 61+)
• Social ‐ “I am a person who connects and likes people, and
this image represents a large amount of people” (Ethiopian man,
20‐40)
• Nostalgia and Association – “Anything designed from stone
reminds me of Ethiopia” (Ethiopian man, 41‐60)
• Nature ‐ “I love plants, nature, and this image takes me back
to the village I was born at in Ethiopia…” (Ethiopian man, 20‐40)
20 Environmental Quality and Preference among Different Socio‐Cultural Groups in Israeli Society Adi Reich Roman
23. Introduction Research Objectives Methodology Results Discussion Discussion
Tsabar Group Profile
• Uses ‐ “…What is the purpose of the place without trees?”
(Tsabar man, 20‐40)
• Emotion – “Not claustrophobic, but this is noisy and
crowded” (Tsabar woman, 41‐60)
• Social ‐ “Belongs to the older generation, [playing]
backgammon and cards…” (Tsabar man, 41‐60)
• Spatial concepts ‐ “Most crowded, on the verge of the
place’s capacity. Shouldn’t look like a rally” (Tsabar man, 20‐40)
23 Environmental Quality and Preference among Different Socio‐Cultural Groups in Israeli Society Adi Reich Roman
26. Introduction Research Objectives Methodology Results Discussion Discussion
Design Recommendations
• Vegetation ‐ Nearly all participants agreed that the more
vegetation exists in the public space, the more preferable it
will be.
• Density ‐ Most of the population prefers medium density,
yet the Ethiopian participants showed a tendency towards
high density.
• Activity ‐ A pluralistic space, capable of accommodating
several types of activity to one degree or another is advised.
• Nighttime lighting ‐ Despite the overall tendency towards
high lighting levels, several concerns were made regarding
energy saving and the possibility of having too much
lighting.
26 Environmental Quality and Preference among Different Socio‐Cultural Groups in Israeli Society Adi Reich Roman