Public use of urban squares: a human behavior study of Kızılay and Ulus square

Abstract

This study aims to consider the importance of interconnection between stationary activity and public physical space in urban studies. The amounts of stationary activities generally stand for the quality of urban public life which has a two directional relationship with public space. A high-quality public space can attract more visitors, and subsequently, having more visitors leads to a more valuable public space. In this regard, urban studies stress human centered approaches in investigating public spaces. This project studies two significant public squares of Ankara (Kizilay and Ulus squares) based on human centered approach and provides a thorough comparison between the quality of their stationary activity. In doing so, first, a set of influential parameters in human behavior studies in urban areas, are extracted from the main resources. They are classified in five categories: Thermal comfort, psychological comfort, aesthetics, human interaction and comfort of use. Afterwards, the relationship between physical features of each square is analyzed based on this classification. This analysis is carried out through in-site direct observation lasted three days for each square. Via using counting, mapping, keeping a diary and photographing tools, the results were recorded. Exploiting the Arc map software, the density maps of stationary activities were created for both squares. After the evaluation of these density maps, the results are illustrated and analyzed through a set of diagrams and tables. The results demonstrates that Kizilay square has 3 time more stationary activity than Ulus square. Detailed physical designed features such as providing shaded places, variety of view options, green areas, defined subspaces, variety of opportunities for different age and sex groups, the pond located in Guven park and presence of people itself were causal reasons in static activity difference between two squares.