Residents’ Spatial-Usage Behavior and Interaction According to the Spatial Configuration of a Social Housing Complex: A Comparison between High-Rise Apartments and Perimeter Block Housing

Abstract

It has been claimed that high-rise apartments, unlike perimeter block housing, cause social pathology; however, no studies have quantitatively proven this. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the difference between space-use behavior and social interactions with a focus on high-rise apartments, the main residential mode in South Korea, and the newly created perimeter block housing. This was done by first comparing and analyzing the spatial configurations of high-rise apartments and perimeter block housing using the space syntax methodology. Second, the space-use behaviors that affect interaction were explained by regression analysis after analyzing correlations among the spatial configurations of individual residence locations, the frequency of use of community facilities, and interaction. Third, differences in interaction for people living in complexes with different spatial configurations were analyzed using t-tests. The main finding was that people whose living arrangements include a good spatial configuration or that often use children’s playgrounds interact more. Additionally, when the spatial configuration of a complex is systematic and the complex is closely connected to the city, the interaction between neighbors appears better. The results of this study demonstrate that block housing promotes interaction, which will be helpful for establishing new planning standards for sustainable apartments.

Spatial Pattern and Coordination Relationship of Production–Living–Ecological Space Function and Residents’ Behavior Flow in Rural–Urban Fringe Areas

“…Land use diversity around residences is a key trigger for behavioral change [42]. People living in communities with a systematic spatial layout interact more with their neighbors [43], and more urban residential communities not only stimulate more positive behavior flow, but also change attitudes towards various modes of flow [44,45]. Even in homogeneous communities, demand preferences can have a significant impact on behavior [46].…”

Social Landscape, Peripheral Inclusion and Un-Practice: Concepts for Understanding Social Housing Daily Life in Open Spaces

“…In Korea, for example, where more than half of the population lives in apartments, the highest buildings seem to have a higher rate of social pathologies, which could be linked to, among other things, the presence of fewer open spaces. A similar issue also appears in Japan [28,29]. In order to respond to the challenges of the growing population in Korea and Japan and also to the quality of housing, researchers are discussing other models of housing arrangements with the inclusion of small courtyards [28,30].…”