Identifying the Physical-Spatial Factors Affecting Environmental Vitality of Open Spaces within Residential Complexes from the Views of Designers and Residents; Case Study: Residential Complexes of Tehran

Nowadays, the exclusive attention to the quantitative aspect of space design has resulted in reduced quality of most open spaces so that most of them lack of vitality and dynamicity. Thus, the present study aims to determine the physical- spatial dimensions of environmental vitality of open spaces from the viewpoints of designers and residents to compare their viewpoints and find the differences between them. The present study is carried out using triangulation design, in two quantitative and qualitative parts. In the qualitative part, a semi-structured interview is performed with those who expert in residential complex design. This interview is about the physical-spatial factors affecting vitality of open spaces. Then, the factors are extracted through open coding using the context theory approach and applying MAXQDA software. In the quantitative part, according to the existing theoretical literature, the main factors are extracted and a questionnaire is designed based on them. Then, the questionnaires are distributed among 376 residents in all residential complexes studied. The data obtained from the questionnaires are analyzed using Pearson test in SPSS software. Based on the outcomes obtained from the analysis of the interviews with experts, there are 12 main physical-spatial factors affecting the environmental vitality of the open spaces in the residential complex. According to inhabitants, the components of “sense of solidarity” and”memory-making capability of place” are the most effective components. These components, like some others, have been underestimated by the experts. Eventually, by analyzing the responses of residents, the other influential components are extracted. In addition, by analyzing the residents’ opinion, residential complexes with dispersed pattern are common in two components of cohesion of situations and spatial diversity, residential complexes with centralized pattern in two components of spatial continuity and openness and residential complexes with linear pattern in four components of form, order and diversity, the sense of recognition and self-respect as well as the creation of public and private arenas