Exploring the Terminology, Definitions, and Forms of Post-Occupancy Evaluation (POE) in Landscape Architecture

Abstract

While the concept of Post-Occupancy Evaluation (POE) is widely applied in landscape architecture and other relevant fields, the term POE is not well-defined. By reviewing and analysing a representative set of POE definitions collected from existing academic and grey literature using content analysis methods, this study aims to enhance understanding of the breadth of the concept and its relevant practices. Our research found that the concept of POE was developed in architecture in the 1970s and subsequently adopted in landscape architecture in the 1980s. With the growth of the field in architecture and its adaptation to landscape architecture, the scope of POE was significantly expanded over recent decades, and with this growth, there have been considerable divergences in definitions and understandings of how to carry out POE. A range of different evaluation objects and four evaluation models were identified by this study. By surveying the conceptual terrain of POE, our research establishes the need for practitioners to be aware of the breadth of the concept and the potential ambiguity surrounding what is meant by the approach. Consequently, practitioners need to be specific and explicit about their understanding of POE. The findings also demonstrate how interdisciplinary differences appear to have been overlooked when adapting POE from one discipline to another. We, therefore, argue that it is crucial to keep shaping and trimming the concept to support the adaption of POE processes into different disciplinary domains.

How Is “Success” Defined and Evaluated in Landscape Architecture—A Collective Case Study of Landscape Architecture Performance Evaluation Approaches in New Zealand

“…In a previous study conducted by Chen et al [35], the authors examined the commonly regarded benchmarks that scholars and practitioners typically considered as the "ideal condition", "standards", or "criteria" when conducting performance evaluations. Through their investigation, Chen, Bowring, and Davis [35] identified four distinct types of benchmarks that emerged in performance evaluations: satisfaction, goals, norms, and performance. The satisfaction model determines the "success" by assessing the satisfaction level of the interested parties.…”

“…Another key aspect regarding how "success" is assessed is what the objects of the evaluations are, which is to say, what aspects of the environmental design workflow stage the evaluations focus on. Chen, Bowring, and Davis [35] suggest that apart from design, other workflow stages such as construction, operation/management, and maintenance are sometimes considered as the objects of evaluations as well. This paper examined the workflow stages of the collected evaluation cases.…”

“…According to Chen, Bowring, and Davis [35], different scholars and practitioners perceive the evaluation practices in the environmental design fields differently. While some of them believe that a project achieving high user satisfaction is successful, others believe that a project that is sustainable is successful.…”