Students' informal spaces in universities of Sri Lanka: a study on their usage and function

Abstract

The Sri Lankan community likes to live in-groups together (informal gathering) in a free and open environment quality which helped to have free movements activities. The informal space is a pattern of behaviour, which can be varied; a space which encourages such behaviour and is flexible in usage. Learning is an activity where informal space requirement is greater. Also, depending on the type of learning, the informal education, affective learning has to take place at peak level in university education. For such kind of learning to take place effectively, students must be able to maintain their informal spaces. A pattern of events that takes place in an affective learning space h as a strong similarity to the pattern that takes place in an informal space in a university. In fact effective learning primarily takes place in informal spaces such as, lobbies, courtyards, corridors, canteens, common rooms and student centers in a university. Therefore we may conclude that informal spaces are the effective leaning specs in an university. Basically there are two types of Sri Lankan University establishments. These are institutions totally designed for purposes of a university and other institutions which have later developed to university status. In these situations, created informal spaces, which are popularly used are neglected. Informal spaces create more and more opportunities for students' behaviour and living patterns. Therefore, informal space is an essential part of a design, which contributes to both aesthetical and functional aspects.