Ph.D

Mrs Daneshmand Sara will present his  his Ph.D thesis on " Upgrading a Route Assessment Method for ImprovingWay- finding Performance"at 14:00 P.M on 12  November 2013 under the guidance of Dr.Mehran Alalhesabi, Noghrekar Abdolhamid.

ABSTRACT:

Wayfinding problems in spaces cause researchers attempt to evaluate the spaces in order to improve wayfinding performance. Some of these methods are objective which surveying the fabric of physical environment, and the others are subjective, which discuss one’s mind (cognition and emotion) in wayfinding. However, due to different assessment methods, studies pay little attention to “emotion” in combination with “cognition” and “physical environment”.

The research’s hypotheses are based on the presented legibility model in shopping centers and states the interactions between these three variables. This study considers the relations between variables, by the correlation method. The case of traditional bazaar in Shiraz is measured by means of questionnaire and the measures of “Depthmap” software, which based on “the Space Syntax theory”. The survey consists of several stages. Firstly after reviewing the literature physical properties of each axial line (straight way) are measured by Deptmap. Secondly some college students- as a part of the bazaar’s patrons- are asked to survey in the bazaar and their cognition of each axial line are examined. Then in order to prove the hypothesis, correlations between physical and cognitive variables are considered, and the relationships between these variables are analyzed. In the third stage for each axial line, the emotions of participants are measured and to prove the other hypotheses correlation relations between physical and emotional, also cognitive and emotional variables are evaluated. Based on these steps the research hypotheses are evaluated and a framework to state the solutions is presented. Finally, priorities for improvement and enhancement of cognitive and emotional conditions are expressed.

In conclusion, differences between the results of this paper and the other similar studies are assessing the route from the viewpoint of three aspects (physical, cognitive and emotional), unifying their results, Describing a method for separating the effects of three fields of study, determining a "framework to improve the wayfinding performance’s protocols in terms of cognitive and emotional", and expressing Their operational priorities. After performing this method of evaluation on functional routes in the specific area, it is clear that each axial lines is faced with which fields of problem that need attention. For example, it is clear that “the specific axial line”:

1- Has problems in path’s properties, Compared with The other lines of the route.

2- Has problems in its cues’ (buildings and other spatial elements) Number or properties, Compared with The other lines of the route. 

3- Has a problem in its local identification.

4- Or from the emotional aspect, is not in an appropriate position with its performance.