Students’ Static Activities in relation to Campus Quad Design and Layout: Exploring Gender-based Differences

Abstract

This study explores the relationships of campus quad design and layout with students’ static activities focusing on gender differences. Students’ static activities were observed at 8914 locations during 390 rounds of observation in six campus quads of a Middle Eastern university. The design and layout data of the quads were collected in the field, and using various techniques of “space syntax”. The relationships of static activities’ with the design and layout features of the quads were investigated using descriptive and correlational statistics. The results of the study indicate that different design and layout features had different relationships with different static activities; that students’ static activities had stronger relationships with natural design features than manmade design features; and that male students’ and female students’ static activities were affected differently by different design and layout features. The significance of these findings and the future directions of research are discussed.