uderum udeliv - Realdania Debat

Abstract
Outdoor space outdoor life
by Camilla Richter-Friis van Deurs
The topic of the Ph.D. dissertation examines the con-
nection between design and use of both public and
private outdoor spaces in contemporary Danish urban
housing. Key research questions look at the physical de-
sign of the spaces. How they are used? What is the per-
ception of these spaces? And, do societal influences,
such as new family patterns, higher degrees of mobility
and new social networks, impact the outdoor spaces?
The research methodologies used are those related to
environmental behavioural urban design, such as map-
ping, shadowing, serial visions, surveys and matrix ba-
sed qualitative design assessment.
The findings of the research are based on 24 cases
compiled in four case studies: a comparison between
inhabitants use of outdoors paces in the city, the sub-
urb and the countryside, a study of use between diffe-
rent owner types (lifestyles), a study of the use of open
versus closed perimeter blocks, and finally an in depth
case study of four typical urban housing types including
a user-based questionnaire survey. The research docu-
ments that:
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Inhabitants prefer a wide range of available
spaces, both private and public
2/3 of all activities take place in the private
spaces
The main activities are related to functional activi-
ties, such as transit and eating
The more use of the outdoor space, the better the
social life is perceived and the safer the environ-
ment is considered
The city’s public spaces are increasingly used as
“private” outdoor space
Harbourfronts and green spaces are preferred to
streets and squares
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Outdoor spaces that are physically or visually lin-
ked to the urban context have higher numbers of
users than those which are secluded
There is a strong connection between height and
use: the lower - and the more direct access from
the home - the more frequent the use of the out-
door spaces
The transition, zones and borders between private
and public are crucial in defining the success of
a space. This study found three common types of
borders: isolated, undefined and defined. The lat-
ter being the most successful in terms of contact
between private and public
Many necessary activities take place in the mor-
ning hours between 8am and 9pm, but the most
frequent use is from 5pm to 7pm with a balanced
mixture of social and transit activities.
Older and young inhabitants are more likely to use
the outdoor spaces
Urban dwellers surprisingly spend more leisure time
outdoors than suburbians or those living in the
countryside
Co-owners have the highest rate of use, followed
by owners and lastly renters (except in social/affor-
dable housing where other patterns occur)
Users prefer outdoor spaces which are predomina-
tely green with a high biodiversity, sheltered from
unpleasant impacts (wind/noise), offer a good
view, have areas protected from traffic, offer the
possibility of customization and fulfil the everyday
practical requirements such bicycle parking and
places for children to play
Users like aesthetic and well-designed spaces, but
they are not preferable to the above
startsider.indd 5 30-01-2010 21:52:38