A multisensory approach to measure public space quality in the city of Bulawayo, Zimbabwe

Abstract

The measurement of the quality of public space is important in spatial planning as a first step towards improved urban quality. It would seem as if city builders sometimes use their subjective judgements of place quality through incomprehensive sensory tools and not the users’ sensory experience and aspirations. Based on the multisensory experiences and aspirations of users as they interact with the streetscapes and public parks in Bulawayo, the purpose of this article was to develop and test the utility of a new public space quality measuring tool. A public space quality assessment was undertaken that employed a quantitative design where 400 participants were recruited through systematic sampling and data collected by means of a multisensory public space quality measurement tool. The tool and the ‘Sensory Public Space Quality Framework’ were developed to guide city planners in providing for people-centred public spaces clothed with good sensory qualities.

Keywords: Public space, multisensory principles, quality assessment, sensory quality

Afrikaans Titel: ’n Multisensoriese benadering tot die meet van die kwaliteit van openbare ruimtes in die stad Bulawayo, Zimbabwe

Die meting van die kwaliteit van openbare ruimtes is belangrik in ruimtelike beplanning as ’n eerste stap in die rigting vir verbeterde stedelike gehalte. Dit blyk asof stadsbeplanners hul subjektiewe beoordelings van plekgehalte soms gebruik deur onbegryplike sensoriese instrumente en nie die sensoriese ervarings en ambisie van die gebruikers nie. Die doel van hierdie artikel was om die nut van ’n nuwe
meetinstrument vir openbare ruimtekwaliteit te ontwikkel en te toets op grond van die multisensoriese ervarings en aspirasies van gebruikers as hulle met die strate en openbare parke in Bulawayo omgaan. ’n Kwaliteitevaluering van openbare ruimtes is uitgevoer met ’n kwantitatiewe ontwerp waar 400 deelnemers gewerf is deur stelselmatige proefneming en data versamel is deur middel van ’n multisensoriese meetinstrument vir openbare ruimtekwaliteit. Die instrument en die ‘Sensory Public Space Quality Framework’ is ontwikkel om stadsbeplanners te help in die voorsiening van mens-gesentreerde openbare ruimtes beklee met goeie sensoriese  eienskappe.

Sleutelwoorde: Openbare ruimte, kwaliteitsmeting, multisensoriese beginsels, sensoriese kwaliteit