Exploring Spaces
Featured The Profile of Buildings on the Powerline Right-of-way in Asaba Metropolis, Nigeria View Digital Media
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Vivian Akunna Olerum
This research uses geospatial analysis, remotely sensed data, and social survey method to assess the profile of buildings on the powerline right-of-way in Asaba Metropolis, Nigeria. The Global Positioning System (GPS) was used to obtain the coordinates of each structure holding the powerlines. These coordinates were imported into ArcGIS environment, and the route of lining of the medium voltage (11- and 33-kV) powerline in the study area were produced. Furthermore, the powerline right-of-way, obtained by buffering the powerline with 11m distance as stipulated by NESIS Regulation were overlaid on the digitized buildings of the study area. The result of this analysis show that 3% of the buildings in the study area encroached into the powerline right-of-way. The factors responsible for building on the powerline right-of-way obtained by means of social survey showed that: 49% were indigenes of the study area, 29%, 12% and 10% erected the structures because of the quest for more money, the accessibility of the area and ignorance of the powerline hazards respectively. We conclude therefore that, as the built-up areas continue to expand, there will be a corresponding increase in the rate of encroachment of buildings into the powerline rights-of-way and detrimental impacts on the encroachers. Based on this, the following recommendations were made: the produced baseline map which elucidated the properties at the powerline right-of-way should serve as a tool for urban planning and electricity distribution company guidance. Also, regular public sensitization; demolition of encroached buildings, and relocation of the encroachers is recommended.
Critically Rethinking Design: Towards Equity-focused Housing Based on the Needs of Children from Low-income Families View Digital Media
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Paniz Mousavi Samimi, Brian Sinclair
Children need to be considered front and center in the design of housing- achieving this goal demands a critical thinking of processes and outcomes, with a dedicated focus on ensuring equity. The current housing crises significantly impact accommodation quality and affordability, leaving numerous low-income families without proper homes. Poor-quality housing has a particularly adverse effect on children; it hampers their chances of reaching their full potential, perpetuates disadvantage cycles, and deprives them of the nurturing environment they need to thrive. Prioritizing equity for children within the housing environment holds great significance, as it fosters an environment that ensures inclusive access to shelter, amenities, and opportunities, regardless of their backgrounds. While previous research has investigated the housing needs of low-income families broadly, there is limited information that focuses on children’s needs. Therefore, by deploying systematic review and meta-analysis in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines, the current study explores and categorizes the needs of children in low-income families and identifies how housing design and planning can better fulfill their needs. The authors also argue that designing living environments with sensitivity to equity and inclusivity leads to increased overall life quality of marginalized individuals. The research outcomes present a design and planning guideline that can help architects, planners, and stakeholders on creating equitable housing, by focusing on children’s needs. This guideline encompasses actionable design and planning insights for future housing projects, promoting inclusivity and fairness. Ultimately, the outcomes seek to reshape how professionals approach housing design, fostering positive impacts on diverse user experiences.
Metamorphic Spaces: The Tension Between the Body and Physical Forms View Digital Media
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Gamze Sensoy
Space, which is very difficult to define, has been discussed in various contexts. Although the body is included in these discussions, it remains in the background of design decisions. Just as space cannot be explained using Cartesian assumptions, the body cannot be reduced to mere units of measurement. The body's intentions are uncertain, it can experience the space at any time in its own way and change the meaning of the space. That space is no longer a physical phenomenon that remains as it was designed, but a changed space that witnesses new unpredictable actions of the body. This is because the human body is fundamentally incompatible with the physical nature of space. The body is pressed by the concrete boundaries of physical space and needs to expand with the resulting tension. The expanding body executes a release by deforming the form in an abstract or a tangible way. Understanding the body in this manner is considered important for spatial design. In the context of the research, this tension relationship between body and space is taken into consideration and such spaces are conceptualized as metamorphic spaces. The aim of the study is to discuss the various ways in which metamorphic spaces can emerge in daily life. During the qualitative research process, theories about the relationship between body and space were analyzed in the context of discourses about experience by crystallization method. Thus, the body's reactions were discussed by making inferences about the space that triggered the tension.
