Rethinking Outdoor Courtyard Spaces on University Campuses to Enhance Health and Wellbeing: The Anti-Virus Built Environment

Saba Alnusairat, Zahra Al-Shatnawi, Yara Ayyad, Ala’ Alwaked and Nasser Abuanzeh
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Saba Alnusairat: Department of Architecture Engineering, Faculty of Architecture and Design, Al-Ahliyya Amman University, Amman 19328, Jordan
Zahra Al-Shatnawi: Department of Architecture Engineering, Faculty of Architecture and Design, Al-Ahliyya Amman University, Amman 19328, Jordan
Yara Ayyad: Department of Architecture Engineering, Faculty of Architecture and Design, Al-Ahliyya Amman University, Amman 19328, Jordan
Ala’ Alwaked: Department of Architecture Engineering, Faculty of Architecture and Design, Al-Ahliyya Amman University, Amman 19328, Jordan
Nasser Abuanzeh: Department of Architecture Engineering, Faculty of Architecture and Design, Al-Ahliyya Amman University, Amman 19328, Jordan

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 9, 1-32

Abstract: Responding to the events surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, this study explores how to improve health and wellbeing and reduce infections in outdoor open spaces on university campuses to maximize their potential as a response to future crises. The study identifies the relationship between human behavior (social) and the various physical and environmental elements of these spaces. A case study and mixed-methods approach were undertaken, comprising four modes of inspection: user analysis layer using questionnaires and observations to survey students’ needs and behavior; context analysis layer using space syntax and CFD to examine the space’s physical and environmental conditions; design solutions reflecting an understanding of virus transmission; and a performance analysis layer to test the performance of ‘anti-virus’ courtyards. The findings demonstrated that students are willing to use the open spaces that they used before the pandemic, at the same frequency. This indicates a need to redesign the current spaces to prevent the spread of viruses. The study highlights the social, physical, and environmental implications to be considered in designs for outdoor anti-virus spaces. It provides a comprehensive process for transforming outdoor spaces on university campuses into anti-virus spaces that meet users’ needs. These findings have implications for the designing and retrofitting of open spaces to reduce infection.

Keywords: post-pandemic urbanism; transformation to anti-virus built environment; COVID-19; university campus; outdoor open spaces; health and wellbeing; space syntax; CFD; observation; questionnaire (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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