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Finding the Optimal D/H Ratio for an Enclosed Urban Square: Testing an Urban Design Principle Using Immersive Virtual Reality Simulation Techniques

Author

Listed:
  • Jaecheol Kim

    (Department of Urban Planning, Gachon University, Seongnam 13120, Korea)

  • Seungnam Kim

    (Department of Urban Design and Studies, Chung-Ang University, Seoul 06974, Korea)

Abstract

Using immersive virtual reality (VR), this study examined the D/H ratio principle (where “D” means the depth or width of a public space and “H” means the height of its surrounding buildings.) that urban design theorists have suggested as an important design principle for public spaces. The authors built VR models of eight enclosed urban public squares with different D/H ratios ranging from 1/3 to 6/1. They then carried out an experiment in the form of a visual assessment survey using the VR models with 69 university students majoring in urban planning and compared the optimal D/H ratios from the experimental results with those proposed by urban design theorists. The statistical analysis of the experimental results revealed that the optimal D/H ratios for most qualities of public squares are larger than the optimal ratios claimed by theorists.

Suggested Citation

  • Jaecheol Kim & Seungnam Kim, 2019. "Finding the Optimal D/H Ratio for an Enclosed Urban Square: Testing an Urban Design Principle Using Immersive Virtual Reality Simulation Techniques," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(5), pages 1-19, March.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:16:y:2019:i:5:p:865-:d:212453
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Ahmed Khairadeen Ali & Hayub Song & One Jae Lee & Eun Seok Kim & Haneen Hashim Mohammed Ali, 2020. "Multi-Agent-Based Urban Vegetation Design," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(9), pages 1-21, April.
    2. Ahmed Ehab & Tim Heath, 2023. "Exploring Immersive Co-Design: Comparing Human Interaction in Real and Virtual Elevated Urban Spaces in London," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-23, June.
    3. Jaewon Han & Sugie Lee, 2023. "Verification of Immersive Virtual Reality as a Streetscape Evaluation Method in Urban Residential Areas," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(2), pages 1-16, January.
    4. Shuai Jiang & Haoran Ma & Ling Yang & Shixian Luo, 2023. "The Influence of Perceived Physical and Aesthetic Quality of Rural Settlements on Tourists’ Preferences—A Case Study of Zhaoxing Dong Village," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(8), pages 1-18, August.
    5. Haeryung Lee & Seung-Nam Kim, 2021. "Perceived Safety and Pedestrian Performance in Pedestrian Priority Streets (PPSs) in Seoul, Korea: A Virtual Reality Experiment and Trace Mapping," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(5), pages 1-17, March.

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