IMPORTANCE OF SOCIAL INTERACTIVE PUBLIC

SPACES

ABSTRACT -

Humans are social creatures. The physical, psychological, behavioural, and attitudinal
elements are greatly influenced by society. Values, expectations, and perceptions are all
heavily influenced by the group or society to which a person belongs. The importance of
social support increases, especially when a person is disabled, in pain, anxious, or has lost
their job. In the end, it has an impact on a person's numerous facets of quality of life. Positive
social connections have been linked to better quality of life across the board in all four areas.
With so much potential and focus on the social aspects of people and places, this study will
look at the practical components for preserving community and sociability in public spaces
and making spaces interactive .

NEED OF THE STUDY -

People have lived in groups and endured both good and bad days from the beginning of
time. Humans have created communities that have advanced and enriched this globe both
technologically and culturally. The development of architecture was based on the
fundamental need for human interaction, but in the modern day, due to privacy concerns and
technology (the internet), individuals have grown more distant from one another rather than
closer. Living space is more in demand than social space in the expanding capitalist
economy. This has caused lower standards of living, a rise in crime, and a decline in active
lifestyles.

AIM -

Aim of the study is to understand the importance of social interaction spaces for human
development and analyse the ways of making these public spaces interactive .

OBJECTIVE -

● To study about social interaction and its importance

● To study about public interaction spaces and its characteristics
● To study the qualities and key attributes of public spaces

INTRODUCTION -

India is the second largest country in the world next to China. It has been projected that by
the year 2025 there will be 177 million elderly populations in India which would constitute 14
percent of the whole population.The life expectancy is expected to cross 70 years by the
year 2020 . Numerous studies have shown that a lack of social connection has led to
symptoms such as anxiety, insomnia, tension, social dysfunction, and severe depression, all
of which have a negative impact on a person's quality of life. This decline is frequently
strongly correlated with a person's low quality of life. Social interaction and general
well-being are positively correlated. In order to meet social needs and provide necessary
possibilities for social interaction, a physical area is required; public space has a major
potential to do so.

DLF CYBER HUB , GURUGRAM

WHAT IS SOCIAL INTERACTION ? -

One of the pillars of modern civilization can be viewed as social interaction. "A social
exchange between two or more persons" is how it is defined. Because it affects a person's
character and personality, social interaction is important in the building of society because it
has been the main driver of the development of social classes. Simple communication
techniques foster social interaction. This is so that you can learn about the preferences and
dislikes, culture, ethics, experiences, values, and morals of other people or groups. We
become aware that we are more than just our inherent selves as a result of it. It makes us
want more out of life.
Benefits of social-interaction -

● ‘Face-to-face contact is like a vaccine’ - direct person-to-person contact triggers

parts of our nervous system that release a “cocktail” of neurotransmitters tasked with
regulating our response to stress and anxiety. In other words, when we communicate
with people face-to-face, it could help to make us more resilient to stress factors in
the long run.
● Social motivation and brain power - Research has shown that by interacting with
others, we actually train our brains. Social motivation and social contact can help to
improve memory formation and recall and protect the brain from neurodegenerative
diseases.
● A tool for happiness and longevity - Finally, enjoying close social ties — with
friends, partners, or family members — can make us happy and improve our overall
life satisfaction in the long run.
● Social context determines healthful habits - Several recent studies have also
linked social connection with physical health benefits, and better habits with a more
healthful lifestyle. It has also found that people who exercised in a group rather than
on their own had decreased stress levels and had better mental and physical
well-being .

Schematic flow of public art in relation to human development ( Creating Dynamic Public Space for Human
Development: Public Art Option - Nafiseh SARIRAFRAZ1 , Kayode OLORUNTOBA2 , Mohd Hisyam RASIDI3
and Hasanuddin LAMIT4 )

(Public spaces - not a “nice to have” but a basic need for cities -
https://blogs.worldbank.org)
WHAT ARE PUBLIC INTERACTION SPACES -

Public spaces are where people and different social groups participate; they provide an
opportunity for sharing thoughts and information due social networks formation. In addition
public spaces are more than just an experience of a space (Hajar et.al, 2001). The result of
these interactions and experiences among people will be communal identification,
self-esteem, communal skill improvement and social participation. This interpretation of
public spaces about social bubbles of people is considered by urban designers and theorists
(from Aristotle till now) (Douglas, 2003). Public spaces include streets, paths, squares,
roundabouts, plazas, play grounds, city halls, malls, beaches and shores and other forms of
spaces for *Corresponding author’s Email: vahid_bigdeli_rad@yahoo.com gathering or have
more sociability as a result of physical and activity variety like squares and plazas (Car,
1992).

ASPECTS OF PUBLIC INTERACTIVE SPACES -

● SOCIABILITY - Creating possibilities for social interaction is one of the most crucial
features of public places.People sense a closer connection to their community and
the environment when they interact with others. The quantity of diverse social groups
present, the presence of social networks, and daily living can all be used to quantify
and evaluate this component.

● USE AND ACTIVITY - The most crucial elements that affect how frequently people
visit and use public places as well as their propensity to draw in various
demographics are social events, the kind of activities and uses that the area can
accommodate, and its capacity to draw people from various social backgrounds.
● ACCESS AND LINKAGE - Linkage is related to circulation and spatial connections,
and access is related to visibility of the space and how we reach it . It has a physical
and visual access which can affect the positive function and safety of the space.
Access possibility, movement and the presence of social groups such as children and
senior citizens in different parts of the space, enough parking spaces and agreeable
connection to the transport system are important factors.

Copenhagen , Denmark

● COMFORT AND IMAGE - Image is related to physical arrangement of the space and
the comfort taken from the space. Durability (protection and maintenance of the
space) and visual attractiveness influence the people's observation of a place and
mental comfort. This feature leads people to choose a space to stay, walk and
experience .
 The different aspects of public space (Public Spaces and Effective Factors on Social
Interactions - Vahid Bigdeli Rada , Ibrahim Bin Ngaha )

FEATURES OF SOCIABLE PUBLIC SPACE -

In general speech, creating a successful public space that can serve people and groups
needs following factors:

1. Providing region, security, and united structure, stability, being in evidence, and being able
to predict the space.
2. Proper facilities in the space are environmental comfort and functional.
3. Amount of information, enthusiasm and environmental excitement

That requires complexity and mystery, education, the ability to express oneself, variation and
contrast, choice, discovering one's identity, privacy, and a sense of place.

4. Social interactions (Avial , etd, quoted by Lars Lerups, 1972 ) among factors that are
mentioned, elements such as privacy, region, being in evidence, comfort and security show
physical aspect, and elements such as awareness and environmental experiences, social
presence and interactions show activity aspect of the space that are going to be studied in
following lines :

PHYSICAL FEATURE - Physical qualities of a public space are related to the access,
position, physiological comfort in different climate conditions and security. In addition, natural
elements in public spaces that lead to more excitement and liveliness of the environment,
and invitation of pedestrians to these spaces and possibility of relaxation, nice experiences
and more health for people, also play an important role (Kaplan & Kaplan , 1998) the
elements such as: monuments, stairs, ponds, and other effective factors encourage people
to present and interacts in the space and they are considered as effective factors on physical
improvement of public spaces (Whyte, 1980).
ACTIVITY FEATURE - Studies show that although visual and aesthetic factors are
necessary in sociability of the space, they are not enough. Functional features of a public
space can affect the quality and quantity of people's absorption for interaction in these
spaces. Existence of enough spaces for sitting and special events in the space like street
theatres, public arts and such activities that connect the people, improve the attractiveness
of the apace Whyte says that in process of these events, opportunities are created for
communication and conversation (Whyte, 1980, 94).
CASE STUDY -

DLF CYBER HUB , GURUGRAM

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CyberHub is a unique, one-of-its-kind concept in India - A premium socialising zone that has
food & entertainment at its core. However, it is the ambience that makes CyberHub an
unparalleled experience and an ideal destination for art and cultural shows, media launches,
displays, lifestyle shoots, TV programmers

The Centre of Attraction and Attention CyberHub is strategically located on the main artery
that connects Gurgaon to Delhi, the National Highway 8. It is surrounded by areas teeming
with the young and the affluent, searching for new experiences.

Uniquely designed Spaces, World-class design and structural ambience with roof top
terrace, amphitheatre, exhibit area and media room allow for stimulating entertainment
options. Adding an extra zing to everything.

This new Social Networking Site with a wide variety of activities planned here, CyberHub
would be the destination of choice for one and for all.

KEY POINTS OF DLF CYBER HUB

Access and linkage - NH8 can be accessed from Dlf cyber hub Well connected with rapid
metro which was connected to the yellow line metro of DMRC. Shuttle services and bus
stops are provided .
Comfort & image - Provided with more recreational spaces and communal spaces,
exhibition areas along with micro climate with rooftop gardening and mushroom columns.
The urban landscape is maintained with sustainable materials and ample street furniture
also the elements of public spaces are there. Bringing all sections of society together.
Uses and Activities - the space initiates various activities like social gatherings, informal
marketing space, outdoor café spaces, exhibition spaces, rotating sit outs synchronising with
soft music. People are using that space for hangouts and for work simultaneously .
Sociability - there are various size groups congregating the special qualities of interactive
spaces that is activation, visual stimulation and visual connections. This hub satisfies the
users in all sense as it brings various formal and informal activities together at a common
place bringing down all communities and groups for fun and entertainment.

HARNAV RIVER EDGE , KHEDBRAHMA, INDIA

Khedbrahma is a small town in Sabarkantha, Gujarat. There is a confluence of three small

rivers here. This confluence of rivers is known as Harnav. The Khedbrahma Municipality
decided to develop a public park for the town on one of the edges of river Harnav. This
public park site on the river edge was initially used as a dump yard. The park was envisioned
as a recreational open space for the people to enjoy, sit and relax.

River Harnav is a non-perennial river and water can only be enjoyed during the rainy
season. The design focused on creating recreational leisure spaces that would offer variety,
continuity and establish multiple connections with the water (seasonal) and the
surroundings. Pedestrian, linear pathways parallel to the river edge are designed to enjoy
the walk along the edge. These pathways gently move up and down taking inspiration from
the water movement.

The slope for each of these pathways is meticulously designed to channelize the water
movement from one pathway to another and then into the river. Each of the pathways
meets at the landing that allows the visitor to change the movement course and also
provides a run off of the water movement.

This pathway moving up and down establishes new programmatic connections. At

some places it’s a walk along the edge, while it gets converted to a low height seating
when it moves down. As the pathway moves up again, it becomes a bridge along the lily
pond while the same pathway flattens to form a pause for the cafeteria. The linear
continuous movement is enjoyed by creating a variety of experiences for the visitors.
This varied experience provides an opportunity for the children and people under all age
group to enjoy the river edge. There are seats and plantations to provide greenery and
shade along the edge. The place gives the feeling of constant movement with a leisurely
walk similar to the water movement in the river.

CONCLUSION -

The present study has highlighted that social interaction has a significant role in improving
the quality of life of people. Social interaction helps people in preventing their loneliness and
thus improves their mental health. By sharing their feelings the people can help each other
in improving their quality of life. They can find the meaning of their life.

Among mentioned factors about sociability, physical and activity aspects of public spaces,
process of sociability and community improvement of public spaces are based on following
steps:
1. State of being inviting : inviting space for different people and groups
2. Security: providing mental and physical comfort
3. Desirability: enjoying being in the space for people and social groups
4. Activity functional: active and constant social presence in the space

REFERENCES -

● Vahid Bigdeli Rad (2013) , Public Spaces and Effective Factors on Social Interactions
● Debalina Datta, Pratyay Pratim Datta, Kunal Kanti Majumdar (2016), Role of social
interaction on quality of life
● Sambhav Jain , Public Space
● Public spaces - not a “nice to have” but a basic need for cities -
https://blogs.worldbank.org
● Harnav River Edge / UA Lab + Keyur Shah & Associates , archdaily.com