User activities and the heterogeneity of urban space: The case of Dahiyat Al Hussein park

Sharif, Ahlam Ammar

doi:10.1016/j.foar.2020.06.004

Cited by 11 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 17 publications

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“…The cases of misalignment included disrupting relations (Law, 2002; Sharif, 2020, 2021; Yaneva, 2013), which disturbed sitting networks when the following occurred: The actual affordance of an object misaligns with the perceived one. This happened when users did not see a backed bench as affording comfort because its backrest was uncomfortable, or when users misalign with the affordance of privacy (edges) or interaction (grass) because of the continuous activity and children's play near them. Misalignment with one or more affordances despite alignment with another affordance within the same object.…”

Section: Discussion: Concepts Of Alignment Misalignment and Realignmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Cases of realignment included examples where relations were adjusted and sitting networks were changed (Law, 2002; Sharif, 2020, 2021; Yaneva, 2013) through the following: Changing the meaning/workability of the same object affordance, where users deployed a bag to raise their feet or pillows to rest their backs for more comfort on backed benches. This also applied to users who sat behind a tree or used a pram to create a sense of boundary and achieve privacy while sitting on edges, or when users changed their position on grass to avoid children playing. Using one affordance to support another within the same object, where users used the perceived affordance of grass by changing position until they achieved another affordance: comfort.…”

Section: Discussion: Concepts Of Alignment Misalignment and Realignmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Towards a relational approach for understanding the multiplicity of sitting activities

Sharif

2022

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PurposeThis study aims at unpacking the multiplicity of the sitting activity in public spaces through the lens of actor-network theory. In line with previous urban research focussing on outdoor activities, such empirical investigation aims to show the importance of the physical aspects of spaces, including seating, in supporting sitting activities as a way of encouraging the use of public space.Design/methodology/approachThis study adopts the overlap between actor–network theory and affordances. It utilises ethnographic research involving frequent users in Dahiyat Al Hussein Park in Amman-Jordan. Data were gathered on the different seat–user relations and the translated sitting activity networks.FindingsAnalysis demonstrates different cases of alignment, misalignment and realignment between what is intended and experienced, and where these relations are maintained, disrupted or changed. These findings reveal the multiplicity of sitting activities; this is significant for understanding how they are maintained.Originality/valueThe research suggests a new way of conceptualising the relationship between the physical environment and users and an approach for examining sitting activities. Some studies have applied actor–network theory and/or the concept of “affordance” by highlighting relations between the object and its user and how they create sitting activities. However, only few studies have problematised the multiplicity of sitting when considering seating uses.

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Section: Discussion: Concepts Of Alignment Misalignment and Realignmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussion: Concepts Of Alignment Misalignment and Realignmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Towards a relational approach for understanding the multiplicity of sitting activities

Sharif

2022

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“…Considering the time when it was developed, the neighborhood emphasised communication, enhance socialisation, and relationships in between its residents, matters that are in line with today's social sustainability priorities. Being remotely located at the time, self-sufficiency was a key attribute, as the neighborhood was supported with inside and nearby facilities such as grocery stores, post office and day care (Sharif 2020).…”

Section: The Case Study Approachmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluating social sustainability in Jordanian residential neighborhoods: a combined expert-user approach

et al. 2022

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Neighborhood sustainability has assumed a pole position as a topic of interest in the past years, addressed through dedicated strands of most of the globally adopted sustainability rating tools, such as LEED and BREEAM. Considering sustainability assessment, the social sustainability of neighborhoods assumes a certain particularity, not only in terms of its high context dependence pertaining to its locality, but in its means of assessment as well, with people as a key potential evaluator for matters that are not bound to quantitative aspects. This research focused on developing a framework for rating social sustainability in neighborhoods, utilizing a quantitative approach that builds upon insights obtained by an extended group of experts and end users. It combines the Delphi and AHP techniques along with the case study approach to develop a framework that suits the Jordanian local context, where a particular neighborhood, Dahiyat Al Hussein in Amman, is used for validation. The research revealed that rating the social sustainability of neighborhoods is not only highly guided by the local context it addresses, but is also reliant on the level of understanding and adoption of the concept itself as attained by the people.

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“…If a specific type of activity (e.g. playing, sitting, vending) recurs with a similar pattern, such as using the same objects and occupying similar times and locations, then the activity network is considered stabilised, albeit temporarily (Kim, 2017; Sharif, 2020a, b). Thus, an individual activity can be produced and stabilised through similarly or differently shaped networks.…”

Section: Actor-network Theory and The Temporality Of Urban Spacementioning

confidence: 99%

Activity networks and the temporality of urban space: the case of a cul-de-sac square

Sharif

2021

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PurposeThis study draws on recent actor-network theory (ANT) literature to provide a nuanced understanding of the effect of time on activity networks in urban spaces. It investigates the role of time in multiplying these networks and producing urban change, which is limited in similar ANT-related research.Design/methodology/approachThis ethnographic study of a cul-de-sac square within a housing project in the suburb of Dahiyat Al-Hussein in Amman, Jordan, documents the changes in its activity networks when comparing the 1990s with 2019. Data were collected through interviews and site observations covering the two time periods to investigate the different activities that occurred constantly over time, which reflect the temporal network stabilisation within the square.FindingsThe findings demonstrate the profound effect time has on the stability of activity networks related to playing, observing, walking, vending and their interrelations. Their overlaps and conflicts with each other and with other networks in the space were observed. Unpacking the stability of activity networks and their interrelations demonstrates the change in their actor relations and temporalities over time. This is significant in understanding urban change.Originality/valueThe study investigates the importance of time in recognising and extending the multiplicity of urban activities, which suggests new ways of understanding urban change. This exploration highlights new possibilities for creating more adaptable spaces according to residents' long-term needs.

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User activities and the heterogeneity of urban space: The case of Dahiyat Al Hussein park

Cited by 11 publications

References 17 publications

Towards a relational approach for understanding the multiplicity of sitting activities

Towards a relational approach for understanding the multiplicity of sitting activities

Evaluating social sustainability in Jordanian residential neighborhoods: a combined expert-user approach

Activity networks and the temporality of urban space: the case of a cul-de-sac square

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