Optimum Sequence and Spatial Configuration in Allocating Public Facilities

We introduce a version of the Huff retail expenditure model, where retail demand depends on households’ access to retail centers. Household-level survey data suggest that total retail visits in a system of retail centers depends on the relative location pattern of stores and customers. This dependence opens up an important question—could overall visits to retail centers be increased with a more efficient spatial configuration of centers in planned new towns? To answer this question, we implement the model as an Urban Network Analysis tool in Rhinoceros 3D, where facility patronage can be analyzed along spatial networks and apply it in the context of the Punggol New Town in Singapore. Using fixed household locations, we first test how estimated store visits are affected by the assumption of whether shoppers come from homes or visit shops en route to local public transit stations. We then explore how adjusting both the locations and sizes of commercial centers can maximize overall visits, using automated simulations to test a large number of scenarios. The results show that location and size adjustments to already planned retail centers in a town can yield a 10% increase in estimated store visits. The methodology and tools developed for this analysis can be extended to other context for planning and right-sizing retail developments and other public facilities so as to maximize both user access and facilities usage.

Download Full-text

The Role of Local Materials in Creating A Meaningful Visual Experiences in Urban Public Facilities

MATEC Web of Conferences ◽

10.1051/matecconf/201926606014 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 266 ◽

pp. 06014

Author(s):

Triandriani Mustikawati ◽

Maria M.C Sengke ◽

Paramita Atmodiwirjo ◽

Yandi Andri Yatmo

Keyword(s):

Architectural Design ◽

Spatial Configuration ◽

Field Studies ◽

Public Facilities ◽

Local Material ◽

Different Types ◽

3D Software ◽

Local Materials

This paper discusses visibility potential of local material products that are used as part of architectural spaces. Knowing the visibility potential of local materials is essential to create visual clarity that supports the ease of spatial orientation and navigation and provides a meaningful visual experience in urban public facilities. This study aims at finding the property quality of objects from local materials that contribute to the visibility potential. Field studies were conducted to identify different types of products from local materials and their characteristics associated with the quality of space experience. The visibility analysis using 3D software program then was carried out by simulating the placement of objects as elements of space in a particular spatial configuration. The result reveals several patterns of possible placement of objects from local materials that have the best potential to enhance visibility. These patterns can add to the alternative vocabulary in architectural design.

Download Full-text

Utilization of the Evaluation System for Spatial Comfort toward Multi-Layered Public Hanok Facilities

Designs ◽

10.3390/designs5040079 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 5 (4) ◽

pp. 79

Author(s):

Mi-Hyang Lee ◽

Seung-Hoon Han

Keyword(s):

Evaluation System ◽

Spatial Configuration ◽

Thermal Environment ◽

Vernacular Architecture ◽

Thermal Control ◽

Traditional Values ◽

Assessment Index ◽

Public Facilities ◽

Interior Spaces ◽

Present Evaluation

This study aims to present evaluation methods that can evaluate thermal comfort reflecting traditional values of the vernacular architecture in Korea called Hanok, especially focused on modernized public facilities. For this purpose, representative vertically-sectional structures of Hanok has been categorized by the spatial configuration used for public buildings such as school, museum, library and so on. Next, a comfort assessment index was derived to evaluate the spatial comfort performance of Hanok especially with certified domestic standards and indices. Then, predicted mean vote (PMV) has further been selected as the method for the thermal assessment for their interior spaces. As a result, the surrounding conditions showed the least influence on the Hanok comfort and the adjacency type mostly affected the performance of thermal control in the aspects of the habitual sustainability. Finally, Hanok designs could positively be considered and utilized by surroundings and adjacency types that have the most advantages in terms of thermal environment.

Download Full-text

The Effect of Nonlinear Amplitude Growth on the Speech Perception Benefits Provided by a Single-Sided Vocoder

Journal of Speech Language and Hearing Research ◽

10.1044/2018_jslhr-h-18-0001 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 62 (3) ◽

pp. 745-757 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Jessica M. Wess ◽

Joshua G. W. Bernstein

Keyword(s):

Transfer Functions ◽

Spatial Configuration ◽

Free Field ◽

Spatial Separation ◽

Compression And Expansion ◽

Interaural Difference ◽

Interaural Differences ◽

Single Sided Deafness ◽

Perceptual Separation ◽

Loudness Growth

PurposeFor listeners with single-sided deafness, a cochlear implant (CI) can improve speech understanding by giving the listener access to the ear with the better target-to-masker ratio (TMR; head shadow) or by providing interaural difference cues to facilitate the perceptual separation of concurrent talkers (squelch). CI simulations presented to listeners with normal hearing examined how these benefits could be affected by interaural differences in loudness growth in a speech-on-speech masking task.MethodExperiment 1 examined a target–masker spatial configuration where the vocoded ear had a poorer TMR than the nonvocoded ear. Experiment 2 examined the reverse configuration. Generic head-related transfer functions simulated free-field listening. Compression or expansion was applied independently to each vocoder channel (power-law exponents: 0.25, 0.5, 1, 1.5, or 2).ResultsCompression reduced the benefit provided by the vocoder ear in both experiments. There was some evidence that expansion increased squelch in Experiment 1 but reduced the benefit in Experiment 2 where the vocoder ear provided a combination of head-shadow and squelch benefits.ConclusionsThe effects of compression and expansion are interpreted in terms of envelope distortion and changes in the vocoded-ear TMR (for head shadow) or changes in perceived target–masker spatial separation (for squelch). The compression parameter is a candidate for clinical optimization to improve single-sided deafness CI outcomes.

Download Full-text