The impact of COVID-19 on visitors' wayfinding within healthcare centers

Khotbehsara, Elham Mehrinejad; Askarizad, Reza; Mehrinejad, Maryam; Nasab, Sara Nourmusavi; Somasundaraswaran, Kathirgamalingam

doi:10.1016/j.asej.2022.101957

Cited by 16 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 84 publications

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“…A higher value of integration is demonstrative of the frequent usage of that particular space by pedestrians, and a higher degree of connectivity can be an indicator of better spatial connection within that space [ 59 , 63 ]. Moreover, numerous studies have confirmed the fact that the correlation between integration and connectivity eventuates in spatial intelligibility [ 4 , 6 , 64 , 65 , 66 , 67 , 68 ]. Accordingly, the higher the value of the correlation, the higher the value of legibility is achieved.…”

Section: Research Design and Proceduresmentioning

confidence: 95%

Perception of Spatial Legibility and Its Association with Human Mobility Patterns: An Empirical Assessment of the Historical Districts in Rasht, Iran

Askarizad

2022

IJERPH

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Achieving legibility within the context of historical districts has become a controversial problem due to their widespread growth and unconventional constructions within, which has led to inconsistencies in the urban context system, and a decrease in the level of urban sociability. This paper aims to provide an empirical assessment towards facilitating the perception of spatial legibility and its association with human mobility patterns. To this end, a novel mix method was developed in order to comprehend the association between spatial legibility and human mobility patterns using Space Syntax, cognitive sketch maps, and time-lapse photography. The results revealed that there is a significant association between spatial legibility and human mobility patterns, such that the incorporation of objective and subjective factors affecting legibility, including highly integrated morphological characteristics along with the saliency of landmarks featuring historical values, can lead to increased human mobility patterns in terms of use frequency. Accordingly, this research aids urban planners and designers in recognizing how to deal with historical districts in order to foster the sociability of these areas and create a lively and socially sustainable urban environment.

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Section: Research Design and Proceduresmentioning

confidence: 95%

Perception of Spatial Legibility and Its Association with Human Mobility Patterns: An Empirical Assessment of the Historical Districts in Rasht, Iran

Askarizad

2022

IJERPH

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“…The role of wayfinding in underground developments can be even more significant after the COVID-19 outbreak, when the public has increased awareness of social distancing and is more concerned about staying in crowded, enclosed places. According to Khotbehsara, Askarizad, Mehrinejad, Nasab, and Somasundaraswaran [35], the pandemic has brought negative impacts on space users' mobility performance. After the pandemic outbreak, space users experienced a significant amount of confusion and hesitation during the wayfinding process due to insufficient spatial accessibility and legibility.…”

Section: Underground Space Managementmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Wayfinding is particularly important for underground users, especially in the post-outbreak period when the public is aware of the health risks brought by unnecessary social contact. Due to the fear of exposure to coronavirus, crowded areas can cause panic to space users [35]. While clear and direct wayfinding systems could enable effective social distancing, a complex and unclear wayfinding system may result in the unwanted crossing of users [99].…”

Section: Changes In Levels Of Underground Environment and Health Afte...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Lessons Learned from the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Multigroup Structural Equation Modelling of Underground Space Environment and Users’ Health

Chan

Chen

2023

Buildings

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Due to the inherent limitations of underground spaces, such as the lack of natural ventilation and sunlight, underground space users tend to face more health risks compared with their aboveground counterparts. However, little is known about how the underground environment, users’ health, and their associations were impacted by the outbreak of the pandemic. In this study, we investigated and compared the impacts of the general underground environment on regular users’ physical and psychological health before and after the pandemic. To achieve this aim, the data from 525 surveys were collected from eleven underground sites, followed by an objective field measurement study conducted at five underground sites in Hong Kong pre- and post-outbreak of the pandemic. The multigroup structural equation modelling results indicated that: (i) surprisingly, the users’ satisfaction towards almost all underground environment factors, including greenery, connectivity with the aboveground environment, thermal comfort, ventilation, indoor air quality, acoustic comfort, and lighting, excluding wayfinding, were significantly higher in the post-outbreak period; (ii) the users’ health, both physical and psychological, was significantly better in the post-outbreak period; (iii) the impacts of visual comfort on the users’ physical and psychological health were significantly greater in the post-outbreak period (critical difference ratio (|CDR|) > 1.96); (iv) the impacts of wayfinding, greenery, and acoustic and thermal comfort on the users’ physical or psychological health were significant only in the pre-outbreak period (|CDR| > 1.96); (v) the impacts of connectivity on the users’ physical and psychological health were significant in both the pre- and post-outbreak periods (|CDR| < 1.96). The findings were further cross-validated using the objective measurement results. With an increasing need to develop healthy underground spaces, the study contributes to the development, design, and management of the underground environment to enhance the users’ health in the post-outbreak era.

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Urban Acupuncture Theory for Covid-19 Effects on Public Spaces: A Literature Review

Elshinawy,

Serag,

Elshater

et al. 2024

Advances in Science, Technology &Amp; Innovation

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The impact of COVID-19 on visitors' wayfinding within healthcare centers

Cited by 16 publications

References 84 publications

Perception of Spatial Legibility and Its Association with Human Mobility Patterns: An Empirical Assessment of the Historical Districts in Rasht, Iran

Perception of Spatial Legibility and Its Association with Human Mobility Patterns: An Empirical Assessment of the Historical Districts in Rasht, Iran

Lessons Learned from the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Multigroup Structural Equation Modelling of Underground Space Environment and Users’ Health

Urban Acupuncture Theory for Covid-19 Effects on Public Spaces: A Literature Review

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