North Hills

THE HILLS ARE ALIVE:

A LOOK AT THE OUTDOOR SHOPPING CENTER
RESEARCH AIM
Our research aim is to study the effectiveness of
the plaza. More thoroughly, we intend to study the
usefulness of the site and its functions and features
that would further enhance a greater experience at
North Hills.
RESEARCH AIM
Our research aim is to study the effectiveness of
the plaza. More thoroughly, we intend to study the
usefulness of the site and its functions and features
that would further enhance a greater experience at
North Hills.
METHODOLOGY
We intend to study the plaza through a series of
methods:
METHODOLOGY
We intend to study the plaza through a series of
methods:
Behavior Mapping
METHODOLOGY
We intend to study the plaza through a series of
methods:
Behavior Mapping
Interviews
METHODOLOGY
We intend to study the plaza through a series of
methods:
Behavior Mapping
Questionnaires
Interviews
METHODOLOGY
We intend to study the plaza through a series of
methods:
Behavior Mapping
Questionnaires
Interviews
Video Documentation
SITE HISTORY
SITE HISTORY
BEHAVIOR MAPPING
Behavior mapping
was done over two
days, N=183. The
site was divided
into six zones
based on their
specific features
and location.
BEHAVIOR MAPPING
ZONE 1 | Artificial turf lawn
BEHAVIOR MAPPING
ZONE 1 | Artificial turf lawn
ZONE 2 | Patio in front of cinema
BEHAVIOR MAPPING
ZONE 1 | Artificial turf lawn
ZONE 2 | Patio in front of cinema
ZONE 3 | Southern sidewalk
BEHAVIOR MAPPING
ZONE 1 | Artificial turf lawn
ZONE 2 | Patio in front of cinema
ZONE 3 | Southern sidewalk
ZONE 4 | Northern sidewalk
BEHAVIOR MAPPING
ZONE 4 | Northern sidewalk
ZONE 5 | Coffee shop and sidewalk
ZONE 1 | Artificial turf lawn
ZONE 2 | Patio in front of cinema
ZONE 3 | Southern sidewalk
BEHAVIOR MAPPING
ZONE 5 | Coffee shop and sidewalk
ZONE 6 | Main street and sidewalk
ZONE 4 | Northern sidewalk
ZONE 1 | Artificial turf lawn
ZONE 2 | Patio in front of cinema
ZONE 3 | Southern sidewalk
BEHAVIOR MAPPING: ZONE 1
Male Female Total Alone Group Child Teenager Adult
19 19 38 0 38 15 0 23
Talking Sitting Playing Eating Walking Standing Phone
2 3 21 10 0 3 0
BEHAVIOR MAPPING: ZONE 2
Male Female Total Alone Group Child Teenager Adult
10 16 36 4 32 10 3 23
Talking Sitting Playing Eating Walking Standing Phone
2 1 0 2 31 0 0
BEHAVIOR MAPPING: ZONE 3
Talking Sitting Playing Eating Walking Standing Phone
2 1 0 4 22 1 0
Male Female Total Alone Group Child Teenager Adult
17 11 28 4 24 3 0 25
BEHAVIOR MAPPING: ZONE 4
Male Female Total Alone Group Child Teenager Adult
17 11 28 4 24 3 0 25
Talking Sitting Playing Eating Walking Standing Phone
2 1 0 10 14 1 0
BEHAVIOR MAPPING: ZONE 5
Male Female Total Alone Group Child Teenager Adult
14 16 30 4 26 6 2 22
Talking Sitting Playing Eating Walking Standing Phone
2 1 0 8 18 0 1
BEHAVIOR MAPPING: ZONE 6
Male Female Total Alone Group Child Teenager Adult
4 17 21 3 18 3 1 17
Talking Sitting Playing Eating Walking Standing Phone
5 1 2 0 12 0 1
BEHAVIOR MAPPING: BASIC INFORMATION
47%
53%
GENDER
Male
Female
10%
90%
GROUP
Alone
Group
71%
24%
5%
AGE
Adults
Children
Teenagers
BEHAVIOR MAPPING: TYPES OF ACTIVITIES
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
Amount of people
INTERVIEW
The interviews were conducted between Saturday
April 13 through Wednesday April 17. They were
all conducted face-to face using a prepared
questionnaire. N=41, with 22 female and 19 male
participants.
No children were interviewed but observation was
conducted and also listed.
INTERVIEW
QUESTIONNAIRE: GENDER?
In the case of gender, females
represented the majority of
participants. Most female
participants were in pairs and
most male participants were
either with their spouse or alone.
47%
53%
Gender
Male
Female
QUESTIONNAIRE: AGE?
Participants were mostly
between the ages of 23 to 27
years old as shown in the chart to
the right. It can be inferred that
the site attracts a younger
audience and provides
affordances that fit their needs.
6%
53%
17%
6%
12%
6%
AGE
19-22
23-27
28-35
36-50
51-70
70 or older
QUESTIONNAIRE: HOW DID YOU GET HERE?
The graph shows that most
participants drove to the site,
with 23% being within walking
distance. Those who walked were
residents of the area nearby or
connected to the site. Most
female participants decided to
drive while most males either did
the same, rode their bicycles or
ran to the site. The option of bus
was given but was not chosen
from any of the participants.
23%
59%
6%
12%
Transportation
Walk
Car
Bicycle
Running
QUESTIONNAIRE: WHY ARE YOU HERE?
Most female participants tended
to be excited shoppers and most
men were at the site to exercise.
Most females were in pairs at the
site. Food was also popular and
was included in most of the
participants agendas including
another activity. There were three
participants who were there for
work. Two participants were
accompanied by their children
and mentioned the affordances
that the green space provided.
34%
25%
16%
22%
3%
Destination
Shopping
Food
Leisure
Exercise
Work
QUESTIONNAIRE: HOW OFTEN DO YOU VISIT THE SITE?
The most frequent interval of
times were two to three times a
week and daily. The site mostly
was used habitually through-
out the week by those who were
interviewed. Women were the
only gender to visit the site once
a week. Most male participants
worked out on a daily basis and
therefore represent the daily
percentage listed below on the
Frequency chart.
12%
6%
24%
29%
29%
Frequency
Once a Month
2-3 Times a
Month
Once a Week
2-3 Times a
Week
Daily
INTERVIEW: SITE SATISFACTION
Participants were asked Do you like the site? If so, why? If
not, why not? Please Explain.
Positive female responses included that it was safe, offers a
unique variety of vendors and a great atmosphere, awesome
gyms, and great shopping options. The negative female
responses included not enough police presence and more
comfortable outside seating options.
Positive Male responses included the great gym facilities and
great food options, with Starbucks being a main option due to
its location. The negative male responses included the need
for more open green space and runner-friendly trails.
VIDEO DOCUMENTATION
VIDEO DOCUMENTATION
FINDINGS
Many children used the lawn as
play space.
Most of the pedestrians walked
along the side walks.
Lots of people ate and played in
the site.
Many of the users were families
or couples.
People parked there by the road
and street.
CONCLUSION
The site was well-used on
regular basis and during special
events.
The site seemed to be a
gathering space of family
relaxing and entertaining.
The user-friendly settings
(sidewalks, seating) improved
the experience.
Parking space may influence the
pedestrians safety.
Questions?
EDRIC JAZMIN
JERMANIE JONES
JUNYAN ZHOU
LAR 579 | HUMAN USE OF THE URBAN LANDSCAPE