Introduction: Physical activity is an important lifestyle behavior known to improve overall health as well as provide substantial reductions in the risk of chronic illnesses, including obesity, cardiovascular disease, certain cancers, hypertension, stroke, depression, and anxiety. The built environment that surrounds where individuals reside has substantial impacts on physical activity behavior. Neighborhood walkability and the availability of physical activity resources such as parks and facilities within neighborhoods serve as opportunities to engage in leisure-based physical activity and active transportation. The purpose of this study was to determine whether objective and perceived built environmental characteristics were associated with neighborhood physical activity levels among Asian Americans living in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania. Methods: Participants were recruited from July to December 2019. A Built Environment and Physical Activity questionnaire that included socio-demographics, the Neighborhood Environment Walkability Scale (NEWS), and the Neighborhood Physical Activity Questionnaire (NPAQ) were administered in English, Mandarin, Korean, and Vietnamese. The Walk Score was obtained online for each participant’s address. Furthermore, proximity to parks and recreational facilities was measured using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to find the network distance to the nearest facility and park. Zero-inflated negative binomial regression models were used while controlling for the clustered sample design and for socio-demographic characteristics. Physical activity was generally examined with respect to active transportation, recreational walking/cycling, and overall physical activity. Additional analyses were also conducted to examine how perceived versus objective characteristics, and ethnic group differences explained the relationship between built environment predictors and meeting the physical activity guidelines. These findings were assessed through logistic regression models. Results: In research question 1, greater perceived neighborhood walkability was associated with an increased likelihood of engaging in recreational walking/cycling and overall physical activity, but not active transportation. When examining subscales separately, there were differences in which built environmental factors affected various physical activity domains. Physical barriers to walking and fewer cul-de-sacs predicted fewer hours of engaging in active transportation. Having fewer cul-de-sacs, more physical barriers and higher residential density predicted lower odds of engaging in active transportation. Greater perceived land-use mix, lower perceived crime, and having more cul-de-sacs predicted greater hours and lower odds of engaging in recreational walking/cycling. Greater perceived land use mix, aesthetics, more cul-de-sacs, and lower residential density were associated with greater weekly METs of physical activity and a greater likelihood of engaging in overall physical activity. In research question 2, ethnic identity moderated the relationship between perceived neighborhood walkability for active transportation and moderate-intensity physical activity but not overall physical activity. In research question 3, the Walk Score was not statistically significantly associated with various participation in physical activity domains. Lastly, results of research question 4 illustrated that longer driving time to the nearest park was associated with greater METs associated with MVPA and overall PA, and to a specialty exercise facility was linked to greater METs associated with walking and active transportation. Furthermore, a shorter walking time to a park was associated with less weekly METs of walking, active transportation, and overall PA, but greater odds of engaging in walking and active transportation. A greater walking time to the nearest specialty exercise facility was associated with greater active transportation and MVPA, but decreased odds of walking and active transportation. Greater driving or walking time/distance to the nearest gym/recreation center were not associated with any type of physical activity. Conclusions: This study illustrated that the built environment could enhance participation in various forms of physical activity among Asian Americans. Having wide and accessible destinations in one’s neighborhood, known as land-use mix, promotes overall physical activity. Furthermore, greater aesthetically pleasing environments and areas with cul-de-sacs can provide spaces to engage in various forms of physical activity. Perceived neighborhood walkability had a strong impact on physical activity behaviors in this population, while mixed evidence was found for the influence of Walk Score and proximity to parks and recreational facilities as predictors of physical activity. While this study provides unique findings among a predominantly Asian American immigrant population, study limitations and recommendations for research suggest future areas to investigate. Nevertheless, major findings can be used to inform environmental and policy strategies to maximize active transportation and recreational based physical activity in order to sustain the health of Asian-American immigrants living in urban areas. / Kinesiology

Since the 1950s, interior decoration evolved into interior design. Throughout the 1970s, all of the components for professionalization were in place, but it was not until the 1990s that the final transformation made interior design into a profession. This dissertation documents these changes and posits that is the conflicts inherent in the process of licensure transformed it into a profession. The transformation of interior design is examined through the lens of the theory of professions, especially Andrew Abbott's delineation of transformation through conflict. The historical case studies of the legislative process were of the District of Columbia, which has practice legislation; the Commonwealth of Virginia; which has title legislation; and the State of Ohio, which has no licensing of interior designers as of 2007. Data collection was by interviews with participants of the process of licensure and with the leadership of the interior design community. In addition, primary and secondary documents examined include books, journals, trade magazines, and documents from professional organizations. Specifically, this dissertation addresses these questions: Is interior design a profession? If so, what forces transformed interior design into a profession? And, how is interior design different from architecture? This dissertation posits that interior design is unique from architecture because it developed in home economic programs at state universities during the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s. In this locale, the primary focus of interior design was the micro-environment based on the theory of behavior. This gives students and practitioners a unique viewpoint that allows for the consideration for each end user as integral to the design process. These attributes contribute to the unique qualities of the services interior design offers and separate it from those of architecture. A simplified definition of interior design that I developed is that interior design utilizes the theory of behavior to design spaces in a micro-environment that function at a safe and efficient level for every end user and are aesthetically pleasing. Finally, interior designers need to understand that the strength of their position in the built environment is in the unique services they offers and celebrate their qualities as outlined in this document. / Ph. D.

We inhabit space. This means our deepest mental and emotional understanding of the world is tied intimately to our experiences as we perceive them in a physical context. Just like a book or film may induce a sense of presence, so too may our modern sensor drenched infrastructures and mobile information spaces. With the recent development of personal and ubiquitous computing devices that we always carry with us, and increased connectivity and robustness of wireless connections, there is an increasing tie between people and things around them. This also includes the space people inhabit. However, such enhanced experiences are usually limited to a personal environment with a personal smartphone being the central device. We would like to bring such technology enhanced experiences to large public spaces with many occupants where their movement patterns, and interactions can be shared, recorded, and studied in order to improve the occupants' efficiency and satisfaction. Specifically, we use sensor networks and ubiquitous computing to create smart built environments that are seamlessly aware of and responsive to the occupants. Human sensing system is one of the key enabling technologies for smart built environments. We present our research findings related to the design and deployment of an indoor human sensing system in large public built spaces. We use a case study to illustrate the challenges, opportunities, and lessons for the emerging field of human building interaction. We present several fundamental design trade-offs, applications, and performance measures for the case study. / Master of Science / The recent advances in mobile technologies, like smart phones and enhanced wireless communication, allow people to experience added comfort and convenience brought by these devices. For example, smart lighting and air conditioning control can be set remotely, before people arrive at their homes. However, these personal experiences are usually limited to personal spaces and tied to a specific personal smart phone. When it comes to public spaces, we seldom see such technological advancement being utilized. In reality, the concept of smart public spaces is still limited to technologies like opening / closing a door automatically. We discuss the reasons that cause such difference between personal and public spaces. We argue that Human Building Interactions should be shaped around non-intrusive indoor human sensing technologies. We present discussions, considerations and implementation of a system that uses a low cost camera network for indoor human sensing. We also describe several applications based on the developed system. We demonstrate how to bring technology enhanced experiences to public built spaces and provide smart built environments.

Certain processes in indoor air, such as deposition, partitioning, and heterogeneous reactions, involve interactions with surfaces. To accurately describe the surface-area-to-volume ratio in a room, we have characterized the surface area, volume, shape, and material of objects in five bedrooms, four kitchens, and three offices. Averaged over all types of rooms, the ratio of surface area with contents to that without contents was 1.7 ± 0.2 (mean ± standard error), and the ratio of volume of freely moving air to volume of the entire space was 0.89 ± 0.05. Ignoring contents, the surface-area-to-volume ratio was 1.9 ± 0.3 m-1; accounting for contents, the ratio was 3.7 ± 1.2 m-1. Ratios were not significantly different between room types and were comparable to those measured for 33 rooms in a similar study. Due to substantial differences in the design and contents of kitchens, their ratios had the highest variability among the three room types. On average, the contents of bedrooms, kitchens, and offices increase their surface area by 70% and decrease their volume of freely moving air by 11% compared to an empty room. The most common shape of objects in a room was a flat plate, while each room also had many irregularly-shaped objects. Paint and wood were the two most common materials in each room, although the distribution of materials varied by room type. The results of this study can be used to improve understanding of the behavior of gases and particles in indoor environments. / Master of Science

Smart built environments (SBE) include fundamentally different and enhanced capabilities compared to the traditional built environments. Traditional built environments consist of basic building elements and plain physical objects. These objects offer primitive interactions, basic use cases and direct affordances. As a result, the traditional architectural process is completely focused on two dimensions of design, i.e., the physical environment based on context and functional requirements based on the users. Whereas, SBEs have a third dimension, computational and communication capabilities embedded with physical objects enabling enhanced affordance and multi-modal interaction with the surrounding environment. As a result of the added capability, there is a significant change in activity pattern/spatial use pattern in an SBE. So, the traditional architectural design process needs to be modified to meet the unique requirements of SBE design. The aim of this thesis is to modify the traditional architectural design process by introducing SBE requirements. Secondly, this thesis explores a reference implementation of immersive technology based SBE design framework. The traditional architectural design tools are not always enough to represent, visualize or model the vast amount of data and digital components of SBE. SBE empowered with IoT needs a combination of the virtual and real world to assist in the design, evaluation and interaction process. A detailed discussion explored the required capabilities for facilitating an MR-based SBE design approach. An immersive technology is particularly helpful for SBE design because SBEs offer novel interaction scenarios and complex affordance which can be tested using immersive techniques. / Master of Science / Smart built environments (SBE) are fundamentally different from our everyday built environments. SBEs have enhanced capabilities compared to the traditional built environments because computational and communication capabilities are embedded with everyday objects in case of SBEs. An wall or a table is no longer just a simple object rather an interactive component that can process information and communicate with people or other devices. The introduction of these smart capabilities in physical environment leads to change in user's everyday activity pattern. So the spatial design approach also needs to be reflect these changes. As a result, the traditional architectural design process needs to be modified for designing SBEs. The aim of this thesis is to introduce a modified SBE design process based on the traditional architectural design process. Secondly, this thesis explores an immersive technology (e.g.- mixed reality, virtual reality etc.) based SBE design framework. The traditional architectural design tools mostly provide two dimensional representations like sketches or renderings. But two dimensional drawings are not always enough to represent, visualize or model the vast amount of data and digital components associated with SBE. The SBE design process needs enhanced capabilities to represent the interdependency of connected devices and interaction scenarios with people. Immersive technology can be introduced to address this problem, to test the proposed SBE in a virtual/mixed reality environment and to test the proposed 'smartness' of the objects. This thesis explores the potentials of this type of immersive technology based SBE design approach.

Architects imagine and reimagine utopia. It is a role with the task to produce cities that are liveable, beautiful, functional, flexible and inclusive. Spaces made for and together with people, and places that meet their needs and dreams. Architects and urban planners don’t plan for the city to be disused, vandalised or constantly decorated and redecorated by an anonymous group, however, it is. Graffiti writing creates a sense of belonging and freedom, a liberating idea that architects, urban planners, and politicians are not alone in forming our spaces and places.  Cities grow, change, are being used, disused, defined and redefined through graffiti. Disobedient and defying activities are constantly happening to our buildings, without the architect’s knowledge or power. The disorder and chaos of graffiti is a contrast to the planned world architects imagine. Architecture depends and affect the social, economic, and political climate of the city—and graffiti are dependent on the external structures as well. An anarchist perspective enables liberating and theoretical tools for reimagining the future. Cities are in a constant process of transformation, in the way authority direct the city—also in how the user protest, disrupt, invade, and navigate space. The future of the city, or a utopia, should be seen as a process and not a final product.  Architecture and urban planning are part of forming the socioeconomic landscape. In order to have an equal city, architecture must acknowledge the social reproduction of space. Furthermore, we can learn how to be situated, in our understanding, viewing, and designing of space. Defying and disorderly elements in the city impacts the built environment and the socioeconomic landscape. Graffiti bring something from working class roots into the city and mediate confrontations between different socio-spatial groups. It allows a discussion on how places can, and should, feel liberating, fun, and flexible—rather than static, forbidden, or inaccessible. Through discussions on graffiti, it’s role and imprint, together on anarchist spatial design and notions on anarchist utopia—this thesis is about confrontations in order to negotiate the city.  Graffiti writing is a disobedient activity that is constantly confronting the rules, the norms, and roles within the city. Through illegal graffiti, I discuss space- and place-making without authority; graffiti as a tool to negotiate the right to the city. The built and planned environment has an important role in shaping socioeconomic landscapes, it can divide people, segregate them, and hand socioeconomic positions—and of course the opposite, bring people together, create affinity and community. Graffiti writing creates confrontation without authority, without being directed and designed by decisionmakers.

The impact that urban green spaces in urban environments have on the sustainability and quality of life of the residents is phenomenal (Atiqul & Shah, 2011:601; UrbSpace, 2010; Levent et al, 2004:1). The local reality in South Africa confirms that green spaces in urban environments are decreasing because of growing populations and increasing urbanization (Statistics South Africa, 2013:2). This study aims to investigate the planning of and provision for green spaces in the urban environment, along with the benefits that such spaces can provide to communities by focusing on the aspect of child-friendliness. The planning of child-friendly spaces is no new phenomena in the international context, but however, limited in local context. This research aims to investigate the concept of child-friendly spaces, along with theoretical aspects and international best practices, in order to be able to evaluate the current South African approach (and legislative support) of the planning of such spaces within urban green spaces. This study evaluated the planning and implementation of child-friendly spaces in the urban environment of the city of Durban, Republic of South Africa. It is based on the theoretical background investigating concepts such as open spaces, green spaces and child-friendly spaces. The importance of planning for green spaces and as such, child-friendly green spaces were also elaborated on. Two international case studies were identified as best-practice cases and included in this research, namely Mullerpier child-friendly public playground in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, and Kadidjiny Park in Melville, Australia. The aim was to determine how these child-friendly spaces were planned and developed and to identify tools that were used to accomplish the goal of providing successful child-friendly green spaces. Planning approaches of the two international case studies illustrated the need and importance of planning for such spaces and how it should be implemented to ensure sustainability of the child-friendly space itself and the surrounding area. The policies and frameworks which influence the study area in Essenwood, Durban, were identified and analysed in order to establish whether or not the planning and development of child-friendly spaces is supported within the chosen area. This research concluded that child-friendly green spaces have a positive impact on the urban environment, caters for children’s needs and assist in their development and interaction with the natural environment. The need for these spaces is of utmost importance and the proposed implementation and improvement of child-friendly green spaces should be supported by way of specific policies and legislation, in order to ensure the success and sustainability of these spaces. Examples of international case studies were used to identify best practical examples, in order to formulate recommendations to improve the planning and development of child-friendly spaces in South Africa. Local gaps were identified in the current approach to planning of these child-friendly green spaces in South Africa. / MArt et Scien (Urban and Regional planning), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

The impact that urban green spaces in urban environments have on the sustainability and quality of life of the residents is phenomenal (Atiqul & Shah, 2011:601; UrbSpace, 2010; Levent et al, 2004:1). The local reality in South Africa confirms that green spaces in urban environments are decreasing because of growing populations and increasing urbanization (Statistics South Africa, 2013:2). This study aims to investigate the planning of and provision for green spaces in the urban environment, along with the benefits that such spaces can provide to communities by focusing on the aspect of child-friendliness. The planning of child-friendly spaces is no new phenomena in the international context, but however, limited in local context. This research aims to investigate the concept of child-friendly spaces, along with theoretical aspects and international best practices, in order to be able to evaluate the current South African approach (and legislative support) of the planning of such spaces within urban green spaces. This study evaluated the planning and implementation of child-friendly spaces in the urban environment of the city of Durban, Republic of South Africa. It is based on the theoretical background investigating concepts such as open spaces, green spaces and child-friendly spaces. The importance of planning for green spaces and as such, child-friendly green spaces were also elaborated on. Two international case studies were identified as best-practice cases and included in this research, namely Mullerpier child-friendly public playground in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, and Kadidjiny Park in Melville, Australia. The aim was to determine how these child-friendly spaces were planned and developed and to identify tools that were used to accomplish the goal of providing successful child-friendly green spaces. Planning approaches of the two international case studies illustrated the need and importance of planning for such spaces and how it should be implemented to ensure sustainability of the child-friendly space itself and the surrounding area. The policies and frameworks which influence the study area in Essenwood, Durban, were identified and analysed in order to establish whether or not the planning and development of child-friendly spaces is supported within the chosen area. This research concluded that child-friendly green spaces have a positive impact on the urban environment, caters for children’s needs and assist in their development and interaction with the natural environment. The need for these spaces is of utmost importance and the proposed implementation and improvement of child-friendly green spaces should be supported by way of specific policies and legislation, in order to ensure the success and sustainability of these spaces. Examples of international case studies were used to identify best practical examples, in order to formulate recommendations to improve the planning and development of child-friendly spaces in South Africa. Local gaps were identified in the current approach to planning of these child-friendly green spaces in South Africa. / MArt et Scien (Urban and Regional planning), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

The construction industry has a significant impact on the environment. It is responsible for a large proportion of global CO2 emissions, as well as the use of both natural resources and energy reserves. Green building practices are becoming increasingly recognised as a way of mitigating CO2 emissions and energy consumption, with economic, environmental, social and financial benefits accruing. The aim of the research reported here is to investigate the opportunities to promote sustainable construction practices in Kuwait. This entails identifying the current status of green construction practices, the awareness level of construction stakeholders, the key drivers that motivate the implementation of green practices, as well as barriers to green construction and the risks associated with its implementation. After comprehensively reviewing the literature, primary data were collected and analysed in three phases, using quantitative and qualitative approaches. The three phases of primary data gathering consist of conducting a questionnaire survey, an interview survey and running a simulation. Local stakeholders associated with the Kuwaiti construction industry are the target population and are used as a platform from which to obtain the data. A total of 678 questionnaires were distributed and 504 completed questionnaires were received, while a total of 96 interviews were conducted. The quantitative data is then analysed through descriptive analysis and inferential statistics with the help of SPSS and Microsoft Excel, while the qualitative data is analysed using the content analysis method. Simulation analysis is performed using IES VE (Integrate Environmental Solution) computer simulation software in order to demonstrate the impact different construction materials have on the energy efficiency of the building. The main findings of this research are as follows: implementation of the concept of sustainability is low in the Kuwaiti construction industry; more action and strategies to improve and encourage this concept are therefore required in order for it to be applied efficiently in future construction projects; lack of awareness is found to be the main barrier to the use of green construction methods in Kuwait; the Kuwaiti government must take initiatives in terms of introducing standards, policies and incentives to promote green construction; the risks affecting the development of green construction processes vary and are unevenly distributed throughout the construction industry in Kuwait, but common risks, such as ‘lack of experts’, ‘limit of a green supply chain’, ‘lack of experts ‘ and ‘higher cost’, are considered the most important risks overall; improved measures concerning the use of energy-saving materials can facilitate the achievement of energy-effective building design. The findings of this study provide valuable information for organisations that intend to participate in green construction projects in Kuwait. Recommendations based on the research findings and conclusions are offered to the Kuwaiti construction industry and government. Recommendations for further research are identified.

Sustainable Built Environments Senior Capstone Project / During Tucson rainstorms, many roads and neighborhoods experience high levels of flooding on the city’s street networks. This phenomenon creates unsafe road conditions, damage to the road infrastructure, and excessive urban stormwater runoff that is potentially polluted. The vast quantities of impervious surfaces in the urban landscape impede the rainwater’s ability to infiltrate the ground, thus resulting in increased volumes of runoff during a rainstorm. Stormwater management is used by municipalities and communities to address the previously mentioned adverse impacts of stormwater runoff. Various techniques and strategies used in stormwater management include, low impact development (LID), green infrastructure, and better site design (BSD) strategies implemented during design stages to reduce stormwater runoff levels. In addition, local governments can establish stormwater utilities and policies in order to help address and better manage the issue of stormwater runoff within urban areas. The primary research questions of this study will include: What are the most effective best management practices and techniques to address urban runoff? What combination of best management practices and government policies will be the more effective in addressing Tucson’s urban runoff problem? Accordingly, this study will examine a variety of policies and techniques to address stormwater runoff, and then, based on this information, provide a suggestion of the best practices and techniques that may be feasible for implementation in Tucson.