The Influence of landscape & urban elements for better social integration in university environments : a case study of Moratuwa & Jayawardenapura univerties

Abstract

Urban landscapes play a critical role in shaping human behaviour, particularly in walking environments within a university. This study aims to explore how various landscape features influence to social interactions within a university setting in Sri Lanka. For the study University of Moratuwa (UOM) and University of Sri Jayewardenepura (UOSJ) has selected with small sample size that was inevitable to investigate the unique setting. The main objective the study is to enhance understanding of the relationship between the built environment and social behaviour patterns, focusing on the impact of landscape elements on interpersonal connections. The study employs a mixed-methods approach with integrating quantitative data from questionnaires and qualitative insights obtained through direct observations and behavioural mapping. The study provides valuable insights into the complex relationship between the built environment and interpersonal relationship with the its landscape. It emphasizes how landscape components influence social behaviour, with the potential to inform urban planning and design practices. The findings show that the UOM fosters a more interactive and engaging environment which the built setting of UOM actively encourages user participation and social interaction but the UOSJ creates a more passive experience which prioritizing aesthetic appeal over functionality, which limits opportunities for engagement. This study show that spatial connectivity and functional accessibility in walkable environments are significantly enhance engagements and social interaction, whereas environments focused more on aesthetics may reduce active engagement. The study adds insightful contribution to growing research field of urban design by contributing to the creation of environmentally conscious and people-centric urban landscapes while acknowledging the limits specific to the study's model and location.