A survey of seating preferences in urban open spaces

The design of urban open spaces often does not address the physical and psychological comfort needs of the users with regard to the type, location and orientation of the seating that is present within those spaces. In order for urban open spaces to be used by the urban population, it is important that the needs and preferences of the user population be identified and taken into account when designing and locating seating elements within those spaces.

This thesis was done to better understand how people who live and work in urban environments use seating in urban open spaces. This was accomplished though a series of observations and interviews in two open spaces in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The people who used the spaces were grouped into different user classes which were defined based on their age, behavior and mode of apparel. Data was collected with regard to the seating elements that they preferred to use. The data was analyzed to determine whether patterns of seating use existed within specific user classes based on the type, location and orientation of the seating elements.

The seating types that were studied included benches, walls, steps and grass areas. The location and orientation of the seating elements were described in terms of the microclimatic and contextual conditions in which they were located. These included sun/shade exposure, whether the seating was located on the interior or exterior portions of the space, proximity to a path or walkway, location in an open or secluded area, and whether or not the seating was located close to high or low traffic areas.

The findings of the research suggest that patterns of seating preference do exist within certain user classes based on the location and orientation of seating. The primary implication of these findings for landscape architects and urban open space designers is that providing a choice of seating options, in terms of seating type, location, and orientation, should be a fundamental goal when designing or redesigning spaces that are intended to be used by a diversity of people.