Social Behaviour in Academic Open Spaces

Academic open spaces are important in universities. They guide students through their movement and shape the environment by their design and quality. Since the academic year 2002–2003, the University of Jordan's administration has started to double the accepted number of students pursing degrees at all levels, graduate and undergraduate, in all departments and faculties. The total number for the academic year 2004–2005 totalled just a little over 34,000 students. Therefore, the present scenario on the University of Jordan campus, in terms of its capacity, is one of saturation. As a result, there is increasing pressure on the University's public utilities and facilities. The open public space is among those utilities that have reached a saturation peak. This study examined the effect of spatial environment upon the behaviour of students at the University of Jordan, with respect to open spaces. To this end, the study concentrated on the design quality of the Science Square and the Main Square, the human behaviour in these two squares, the landmarks within these two squares, and way finding in them. A questionnaire to evaluate the open space of the University of Jordan through an understanding of students’ behavioural mapping was administered for a month in each square. A number of recommendations were made to improve the spatial environment and to accommodate more students and users.