Analyzing Lynch’S City Imageability In The Digital Age, Mahbubur Meenar, Nader Afzalan, Amir Hajrasouliha
Apr 2019
Analyzing Lynch’S City Imageability In The Digital Age, Mahbubur Meenar, Nader Afzalan, Amir Hajrasouliha
Amir Hajrasouliha
This paper explores the role of virtual mapping environments in analyzing people’s perception of spaces and their implications
in planning. We examine how people interpret Kevin Lynch’s “city imageability” in the digital age by asking two questions: (1)
how can we create mental images of city elements by using virtual versus physical environments? (2) What are the strengths
and weaknesses of each method? We studied sixty-eight mental maps—created by thirty-four participants—identifying five
factors for disagreements on city elements: scale, eye level, details, accuracy/timeliness, and sensory/movement. We conclude
by suggesting how practitioners can take a balanced approach for city imageability analysis.
Lost Spaces As Hidden Assets: A Refection On A Current Campus Design Issue, Torina Wilson, Amir Hajrasouliha
Jan 2019
Lost Spaces As Hidden Assets: A Refection On A Current Campus Design Issue, Torina Wilson, Amir Hajrasouliha
Amir Hajrasouliha
University campuses face two common problems: lack of facilities for the expanding enrollment numbers, and inadequate spaces for the changing education and recreational needs. Wilson and Hajrasouliha discuss the potential of adapting left-over campus open spaces to respond to these needs, adapting their physical and technological capabilities to encourage multiple academic and non-academic functions.
Designing For A Driverless Future In Downtown San Luis Obispo, Amir Hajrasouliha, Crp 512 Students
Jan 2019
Designing For A Driverless Future In Downtown San Luis Obispo, Amir Hajrasouliha, Crp 512 Students
Amir Hajrasouliha
The graduate class CRP 512 Introduction to Visual Communication and GIS, focuses on skill development in visual communications and GIS through a planning exercise. In the Winter quarter of 2018, the class was assigned the re-design of two blocks in downtown San Luis Obispo. The students focused on developing visions and design ideas for a future with autonomous vehicles.
Connecting The Dots: Campus Form, Student Perceptions, And Academic Performance, Amir Hajrasouliha
Jul 2018
Connecting The Dots: Campus Form, Student Perceptions, And Academic Performance, Amir Hajrasouliha
Amir Hajrasouliha
This research is an attempt to evaluate the role of campus built environment and its immediate surroundings on a major concern of universities: student retention and graduation. The relationship of both objective and perceived measures of physical campuses with students’ academic performance was examined, using the California State University (CSU) campuses as its sample. The objective campus environment was measured by a Campus Score scale, and the perceived campus quality and perceived restorativeness were measured through an online survey from 446 students. The results demonstrate that both objective and perceived measures were significantly associated with students’ academic performance. However, the …
State Of The Art In Planning For College And University Campuses Site Planning And Beyond.Pdf, Amir Hajrasouliha
Apr 2018
State Of The Art In Planning For College And University Campuses Site Planning And Beyond.Pdf, Amir Hajrasouliha
Amir Hajrasouliha
Colleges and universities have been planning their campuses for centuries, yet scholars have conducted little empirical research regarding the nature of campus planning in the United States. We review recent scholarship on campus planning, discovering that it is dominated by case studies (sometimes in edited collections) and some comparative studies. In this review we organize the literature into 3 geographic scales: the campus (or campus park), the campus– community interface, and the larger campus district. The literature addresses 5 topics: land use, design, sustainability, economic development, and collaboration. Most of the studies focus on research-oriented universities in metropolitan locations. The …
Master-Planning The American Campus: Goals, Actions, And Design Strategies, Amir Hajrasouliha
Jun 2017
Master-Planning The American Campus: Goals, Actions, And Design Strategies, Amir Hajrasouliha
Amir Hajrasouliha
This research identified common goals, actions, and design strategies of university campus master plans in the USA, by analyzing 50 randomly selected master plans. Four design strategies were distilled, based on the top goals and actions: transition from (1) a deficient campus to a complete campus, (2) an isolated campus to a contextual campus, (3) a fragmented campus to a cohesive campus, and (4) a brown campus to an ecological campus. In addition, seven campus form dimensions were distilled: (1) land use organization (arrangement of space and facilities), (2) compactness, (3) connectivity, (4) spatial configuration, (6) campus living, (7) greenness, …
Campus Does Matter: The Relationship Of Student Retention And Degree Attainment To Campus Design, Amir Hajrasouliha, Reid Ewing
May 2016
Campus Does Matter: The Relationship Of Student Retention And Degree Attainment To Campus Design, Amir Hajrasouliha, Reid Ewing
Amir Hajrasouliha
No abstract provided.
A Wellness District For The City Of Ventura, Vicente Del Rio, Amir Hajrasouliha
Jan 2016
A Wellness District For The City Of Ventura, Vicente Del Rio, Amir Hajrasouliha
Amir Hajrasouliha
This article describes the work by a graduate urban design studio from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo’s CRP
Department during the Spring Quarter, 2016. Under a contract with the City of Ventura’s, the students
explored the notion of a wellness district anchored by two major hospitals, and developed an urban
design concept plan that is consistent with the General Plan and the city’s economic strategy.
Streetscape Features Related To Pedestrian Activity, Reid Ewing, Amir Hajrasouliha, Kathryn M. Neckerman, Marnie Purciel-Hill, William Greene
Dec 2014
Streetscape Features Related To Pedestrian Activity, Reid Ewing, Amir Hajrasouliha, Kathryn M. Neckerman, Marnie Purciel-Hill, William Greene
Amir Hajrasouliha
By measuring twenty streetscape features and numerous other variables for 588 blocks in New York City, we were able to identify variables that explain pedestrian traffic volumes. We found significant positive correlations between three out of twenty streetscape features with pedestrian counts after controlling for density and other built environmental variables. The significant streetscape features are the proportion of windows on the street, the proportion of active street frontage, and the number of pieces of street furniture. This study provides guidance for streetscape projects that aim to create walkable streets and pedestrian-friendly environments.
