Place-Making Attributes and Patterns of Use in the Central Campus Outdoor Plaza in the Hashemite University of Jordan

Abstract

Open spaces on university campuses represent the hub of students' social life outside class hours. This study investigates the place-making quality of the central plaza on the Hashemite University campus in Jordon. It also aims to understand the use patterns and if there is a significant difference in place-making quality across students' gender, grade level, and faculty. This research uses multiple approaches: a literature review to draw the attributes, a field survey to investigate the plaza's physical components, and a designed questionnaire to collect necessary data. The results indicate that the plaza had high place-making quality despite its underuse. The access and linkage attribute of the plaza was high because it is found at the heart of the main movement spine on the campus. The sociability of the space was moderate; students had high levels of interaction in the plaza. Students who used the plaza were in small groups, and the most favorite activity was talking and meeting friends. Lack of privacy and shaded areas decreased the number of females who used the plaza and negatively affected its comfort and image attribute. These study findings can be used to enhance the outdoor space design on campus.