A Study on View and Outdoor Space from the Standpoint of Residents’ Consciousness and Behavior

Abstract

Aiming at obtaining basic data for creating architectural guidelines to plan and design outdoor and semi-outdoor space of multi-storied housing complexes, an observational research by behavioral mapping with interviews (for ten hours each day, and two days for each survey area) and a questionnaire survey by mail (351 units) were conducted in two housing complexes in Tokyo Metropolitan City. The following major findings were obtained through analyzing features of behaviors and consciousness of the residents: a) Nature and greenery have significant influence on residents' consciousness to the outdoor space. b) Amount of greenery and feelings from nature improve residents' satisfaction to the outdoor space. And c) Items in design guidelines for outdoor space and veranda as semi-outdoor space in housing complexes including the view from window were shown: 1) Planting flowers and trees, which can be touched directly, encourage residents’ activities in the outdoor space. 2) The number of residents who are satisfied with views from windows increases, when the ratio of greenery to building viewed through a window is 1:2.2. Further, some other items were identified. These items promote activities by residents in outdoor space and make views from windows preferable.