The Effect of Environmental Factors on Sociopetality of Urban Spaces

Abstract

Sociopetality is an important multimodal concept, characterizing the interpersonal and social interactions of the inhabitants of a space. When designing a public space the concept of sociopetality becomes even more crucial since the promotion of social interaction is a primary goal. Sociopetal urban spaces can help revive the sociable atmosphere in cities and societies, which have become increasingly individualistic, and thereby respond to the social demands of citizens. In this paper, the sociopetality of urban space as an aspect of the most public places in the cities is studied. Considering the relevant literature, this research proposes a conceptual structure based on “human,” “environmental,” and “meaning and perceptual” aspects to describe sociopetality. Environmental factors, as the chief tools of designers and urban planners, are studied in particular. The characteristics of “location/context,” “physical/spatial,” and “function/usage” are introduced as the most basic environmental factors and analysed in the context of some successful urban spaces. Finally, the role of environmental parameters in the realization of the concept of sociopetality in these successful urban spaces is verified and practical ways to design sociopetal spaces are suggested.