Exploring the Multisensory Interaction between Luminous, Thermal and Auditory Environments through the Spatial Promenade Experience: A Case Study of a University Campus in an Oasis Settlement

Abstract

This paper aimed to develop a multisensory approach in a university campus, based on quantitative and qualitative approaches, investigating sense walk experiences (thermo-visual sound walk) under interactions of luminous, thermal, and auditory environments. The study was conducted in October 2021, in Chetma university campus in Biskra city, southern Algeria, which remains a famous oasis settlement of arid regions over the country. A comparative and correlation analysis was performed between the physical dimensions collected through a walking experience in three campus routes (outdoor, semi-outdoor and indoor). In addition, a multisensory survey of the walking experience on perceptual dimensions was evaluated in parallel to the empirical contribution. The paper shows that walkers’ thermal levels were balanced between neural and slightly hot in different spatial aspects. The glare was almost unperceived regarding the luminous conditions in the study site. The auditory experience reveals that the conducted points were generally quiet and well placed for educational requirements. Findings also show a strong relationship between the physical dimensions of the luminous and auditory environment. Furthermore, the findings suggest that the thermal and luminous environments are more perceptible than the auditory environment for the walkers of the outdoor and indoor routes. In contrast, the semi-outdoor route is often perceptible by the perceptual dimensions of the luminous and auditory environments. The findings on sensorial thresholds and spatial adaption are essential for the educational practices’ architectural and urban strategies for the Saharan cities and oasis settlements.

Evaluation of the soundscapes through the cafe terraces before and after the COVID-19 lockdown in coastal cities in Algeria

“…The authors are aware that subjective measurements have important potential in the soundscape evaluation, 73 in parallel with measurements of the different physical dimensions of the acoustic environment. 74 , 75 Therefore, future research should focus on the subjective and objective investigation of long-term soundscape evaluation to preserve and improve the cultural soundscapes of different urban spaces in Algeria, taking into account, as a lesson, the negative effects of COVID-19 on the environment and public health in general, and its effect on substantial cultural, political and urban design changes, especially that COVID-19 will not be the last virus that will strike our cities. 76 …”

“…This translation may be useful for the future studies of the researchers who are engaged in the translation of the soundscape attributes such as the international network of soundscape researchers constituting from different regions of the world which were established under the name of "Soundscape Attributes Translation Project" (SATP) and started its activity by the first group of collaborators in 2019 in a first stage with the expertise by a considerable geographical distribution, covering 15 different languages, 71 where the attributes translated by the SATP group was carried out mainly based on the study of the soundscape attributes identified by Axelsson et al 72 The authors are aware that subjective measurements have important potential in the soundscape evaluation, 73 in parallel with measurements of the different physical dimensions of the acoustic environment. 74,75 Therefore, future research should focus on the subjective and objective investigation of long-term soundscape evaluation to preserve and improve the cultural soundscapes of different urban spaces in Algeria, taking into account, as a lesson, the negative effects of COVID-19 on the environment and public health in general, and its effect on substantial cultural, political and urban design changes, especially that COVID-19 will not be the last virus that will strike our cities. 76…”

Psychological and Visual Perception of Campus Lightscapes Based on Lightscape Walking Evaluation: A Case Study of Chongqing University in China

“…Meanwhile, the physical characteristics are measured and verified using objective data measurement methods. For instance, Berkouk et al [27] conducted a sensory walking experiment at Chetema University's campus, comparing and correlating the walking experience data of three different routes (outdoor, semi-outdoor, and indoor). They specifically examined the effects of light, heat, and auditory environments on the walking experience.…”

Assessment of Sighted and Visually Impaired Users to the Physical and Perceptual Dimensions of an Oasis Settlement Urban Park

“…The physical environment is a complex of many factors that represent the space's ambience, as a combination of multiple perceptions such as visual, thermal, audible, and olfactory perceptions offered by a physical environment for persons at a given time [10]. So, the landscape and the soundscape of an urban park significantly impact users' wellbeing.…”