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Seating Behaviour of Students before and after the COVID-19 Pandemic: Findings from Occupancy Monitoring with PIR Sensors at the UCL Bartlett Library

Author

Listed:
  • Gizem Izmir Tunahan

    (Institute for Environmental Design and Engineering, University College London, London WC1H 0NN, UK)

  • Hector Altamirano

    (Institute for Environmental Design and Engineering, University College London, London WC1H 0NN, UK)

Abstract

Since the first case of COVID-19 was confirmed in China, social and physical distancing has been promoted worldwide as an effective community mitigation strategy. However, our understanding remains limited regarding how students would resume their activities and use of libraries when the restrictions to manage the spread of coronavirus were lifted. Understanding students’ seating behaviour in libraries is required to guarantee that the libraries meet the needs and preferences of students and promote students’ health and well-being and satisfaction with the library. This paper aims to explore the changes in the use of study spaces before and after the pandemic. Occupancy data from the UCL Bartlett Library collected at 10-min intervals from motion sensors located underneath desks was used to assess the occupancy within the library and which was then compared to characteristics of the space. This study revealed that the COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted students’ use of the library as well as how much time they spent there. While seats with a good combination of daylight, outdoor view and privacy were in most demand before the pandemic, distance from other students seems to be the priority after the pandemic. Students’ seating preferences appear to be also influenced by the position of desk dividers after COVID-19. Future research should focus on assessing and proposing new seating arrangements and developing strategies to promote students’ satisfaction with libraries in response to changes in students’ seating behaviours.

Suggested Citation

  • Gizem Izmir Tunahan & Hector Altamirano, 2022. "Seating Behaviour of Students before and after the COVID-19 Pandemic: Findings from Occupancy Monitoring with PIR Sensors at the UCL Bartlett Library," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(20), pages 1-19, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:20:p:13255-:d:942413
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Antonio Paone & Jean-Philippe Bacher, 2018. "The Impact of Building Occupant Behavior on Energy Efficiency and Methods to Influence It: A Review of the State of the Art," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(4), pages 1-19, April.
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