Investigating the Characteristics of Open Spaces to Enhance Social Interactions in Neighborhood Environments

Abstract

In recent decades, stability and sustainable development have been proposed as one of the key areas to improve human living conditions. Meanwhile, increasing social interactions as one of social sustainability measures in the neighborhood environments has been considered because the residential environments are parts of larger urban areas and play an important role in the sustainability of megacities. In this study, according to the importance of neighborhood environments, measures to design open space in order to promote social sustainability have been discussed. The method used in this study was cross-sectional and to gather data, library-documentary sources and field observations were used. Initially, social interactions criteria in neighborhoods were recognized, then effective characteristics in designing open spaces including caring traffic restrictions, promoting walking, and considering the residents in different ages were investigated.