Menu
City Know-hows
Target audience
Policy-makers, developers, academics and architects
The problem
In the context of global urbanisation, creating high-density living environments that promote health, wellbeing and social connectedness is vital. In apartment buildings, residents live in close physical proximity and share communal areas, however not all areas are equal in design and quality, which may impact usage and opportunities for social interaction.
What we did and why
Using a novel desktop audit approach, we objectively identified communal area design features and examined their association with residents’ use of communal areas in apartment developments across Perth, Melbourne and Sydney.
Our study’s contribution
This appears to be the first attempt to utilise an objective audit tool that assesses a number of design themes across communal areas. Our study results suggest that the delivery of high-quality communal areas can encourage use, which in turn, may have implications for residents’ social opportunities and outcomes.
Impacts for city policy and practice
The findings have policy and design implications, suggesting that the provision of communal space alone may not be enough to encourage use without the design features or amenities that appeal to residents.
Further information
Full research article:
Exploring the design, quality and use of communal areas in apartment developments by Alexandra Kleeman, Billie Giles-Corti, Lucy Gunn, Paula Hooper & Sarah Foster.
Related posts
Ho Chi Minh City’s motorbike-dependent traffic, severe congestion from overloaded infrastructure, high accident rates among children and pedestrians, and a doubling of overweight and obesity rates among children over the past decade have driven a comprehensive study on children’s walkability. This study serves as a foundation to encourage more walking among children as an initial step toward addressing these critical issues.
We took a significant step in identifying the existing gaps in knowledge translation for healthy cities and adopting a proactive approach to laying out opportunities for improvement. By developing a visual representation for a renewed conceptual framework, we provide a clear and insightful tool for planners, designers, and policymakers aiming to enhance knowledge translation processes. As a result, this study not only elevates knowledge translation as a field of study for urban professionals but also reinforces its importance in public health.
Discover how local environments shape resident well-being. Our study reveals the profound impact of physical and social neighbourhood features on adults’ quality of life. Uncover the key elements that make a community thrive and their implications for urban planning and policy.
