psychological effects of the built environment topic 5 Flashcards
what are the four additional studies and the key study
Ulrich
Cohen et al
White et al
Newman
Armitage
What is the study by Cohen et al
Investigated the reading ability of 54 children who lived in new york city, The children were all at a similiar age in school
lower traffic noise- 55db on the second floor
higher traffic noise-79db lower floors
correlated noise level readings with academic ability, and found a significant correlation between floor and auditory attention
reading ability/ hearing can be damaged by traffic noise
outline the study by newman on defensible space
“defensible space” is about designing buildings so that all space appearsto belong to some individual or group. Newman suggests four key factors that should be addressed in order to creae defensible space.
1)ZONE OF TERRITORIAL INFLUENCE) there should be markers (fences or hedges) to show that the area is private rather than public
2)OPPORTUNITIES FOR SURVEILLANCE the physical layout should make it easy for intruders to be spottede.g build apartment blocks around a courtyard so that entrances can be overlooked
3)IMAGE encourage personalisation of residences as these suggest individuality and privacy
4)MILIEU with regard to the surroundings of the building, set them in more personal spaces like courtyards rather than opem spaces (which have escape routes)
outline the additional study by Armitage
investigated whether cul-de-sacs and foot[paths are less likely to experience crime
Analysed records of property crimes in greater manchester, the west midlands and kent. She analysed recorded crime data from janruary 2007 to december 2009 and found that cul-de-sacs (curvy without leaky footpaths) had the lowest level of crime.
suggested footpaths can be included when they are well used , short , direct , overlooked well lit and not running along the rear of properties
Outline the additional study by White et Al
-longitudinal study of over 10,000 people between 1991 and 2008 (tracking where they lived)
-controlling for changing over time, including
income
marital status
employment
physical health
Results-Those living in greener areas experienced less mental distress and higher life satisfaction
1/3 as good as being married
outlie the aim of the key study by Ulrich
To see if view from hospital window affects recovery time from surgery
Outline the sample of the key study by ulrich
46 patients in a suburban pennsylvanian hospital ages 20-69 years old. All of whom had undergone gall bladder surgery No history of post op complications.
23 pairs of patients (15 female 8 male) matched on criteria
hospital bed
view of trees
Outline the method used by ulrich in the key study of psychological effects pn the built environment
Records of patients assigned to rooms on the secind and third floors between 1972 and 1981
-All rooms were double occupancy and were nearly identical in terms of dimensions, window size, arrangement of beds, furniture and other major physical charecteristics
-The only real difference was the view from the window as one side of the wing looked at a smallstand of deciduous trees or a brown brick wall
-The records analysed were related to those who had undergone gall bladder removal between 1st of may and he 24th of october ( when the trees had foliage)
-patients who had either a tree view or a brick wall view were matched into pairs based on sex, age (within 5 years) obesity,smoker year of surgery and floor level
-nurse with high experience gathered 5 types of data from each of the patients records
-length of hospitalisation
-strength of painkillers each day
-number and strength of doses for anxiety each day
what were the results from the key research by Ulrich
-Patients with tree view spent significantly less time in hospital 7.96 days vs 8.7 days
patients with tree view took fewer and moderate pain dosage
significantly more negative notes made about wall patients (crying) 3.96 compared to 1.13
What was the conclusion by Ulrich
Views of natural scene can have therepeutic benefits for patients and speed up their recovery
Outline one application of improving a new housing developments residents well being
- windows looking out onto green spaces
-lots of parks and deciduous trees
-As shown in White et al greener areas may increase wellbeing
Outline one application of improving a new housing developments residents well being
-Cul-de-sac with no through roads or leaky footpaths
-have no through road would decrease the crime rates and increase the well being
as shown by armitage
