2016 International Conference on Material Science and Civil Engineering (MSCE 2016)
ISBN: 978-1-60595-378-6
Research on the Correlation Between Space Variables
of Inner Street Interface in Commercial Complex
and Pedestrian Activities
Jie DING
Department Architecture, South China University of Technology,
Guangzhou, 510640, China
E-mail:[email protected]
The reactions of pedestrians in commercial inner streets are the mapping of inner space
variables in commercial buildings. In this paper, the author selected Xi’an Lijia Village
Wanda Shopping Center and the MixC Shenzhen as the comparative research cases.
According to the analysis on space variables of inner street interface in commercial
complex and the collection of pedestrian stay activity data, the coherence and correlation
between space variable of inner street interface in commercial buildings and pedestrian
activities are researched based on the principle of environment-behavior studies and the
deduction of linear regression model. The research findings are as follows: Space
Penetration rate is a key factor to affect all kinds of pedestrian activities; the proportion of
the shopping corridors, along with the mixing degree of the storefront functions, has a
promotion effect on social activities, and the density of a storefront has a positive impact
on pedestrians’ commercial activities. The author puts forward some ideas and
suggestions on the relevant design of the inner street interface space in the commercial
complex by reference to the design concepts of urban commercial pedestrian streets
proposed by domestic and overseas research scholars.
Keywords: Inner Street Interface in Commercial Complex; Space Variables; Pedestrian
Activities; Correlation Analysis.
1. Introduction
In the recent years, with the rapid change of people’s consumption concept and
the expansion of commercial building scale, a new architectural type represented
by "experiential" consumption is sweeping the country. The characteristic
indoor walk space design and upgrading functional composite give people a new
way of life experience, at the same time, more and more researchers
consequently turn their attention to the inner street space and vitality of the
commercial buildings.
In the light of the collated data, it can be seen that researchers made an
analysis from different variable angles in the study on the vitality of urban street
space, commercial inner street space and pedestrians’ daily activities. In the
book named Exterior Space Design, Yoshinobu-ashihara made a careful analysis
and summary on the relations and scale variables between the buildings at both
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sides of a street, summarizing the appropriate spatial relation which is suitable
for streets and squares [1]; Kamada selected 10 different streets in Japan, aimed
at the analysis respectively on eight space variables such as sidewalk width,
building stories and building density etc. and on relevant elements such as
composition elements of walk space etc. then arrived at a conclusion that the
concave-convex structures of buildings could affect space "extensity" [2]; "Jerde
Law" raised by the Jerde Partnership is a research method based on architecture
phenomenology, emphasizing the concept of "place making" and "experiential
consumption" to improve commercial space vitality; Jane Jacobs puts forward
two concepts of" urban functional diversity" and "basic function combination "
in the book named The Death and Life of American Cities. She thinks that the
vitality of urban center can be more effectively maintained based on the two
basic laws of diversity and mixing degree of basic urban functions [3]. In the
study of commercial pedestrian streets in the cities, domestic researchers also
draw an important conclusion. Represented by the analysis made by Chen Yong,
Zhao Xinghua on Huaihai Road in Shanghai and the analysis made by Xu
Leiqing, Kang Qi on West Nanjing Road in Shanghai, a variable control study is
made on different elements such as the densities of street sections, sidewalks
and storefronts function density, storefront transparency and pedestrian activities
etc. [4-5].
2. Research Design
In the analysis of the document literatures in earlier stages, the author found that
no matter whether it is the exterior or the interior of commercial complex, a
majority of researches in the research methods laid emphasis on the listing and
qualitative description of the relevant elements of space variables of interfaces
in the pedestrian streets. Based on the former researches, several variables that
have never been researched in the document literatures are added in this
research, i.e. the proportion of shopping corridor in inner streets in commercial
complex, density of storefront at both sides of an inner street, mixing degree of
storefront functions and Space Penetration rate etc. From the angle of
experience, the author attempts to research the impact of space variables of inner
streets on pedestrian stay activities depending on data analysis and deduced
demonstration.
2.1. Research contents
Since the 21st century, the commercial inner street has become one of the
important inner spatial forms of complex, and is closely associated with
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consumers. It not only combines traffic function and space diversity together,
but also is one of the most important urban public space for people to
communicate and share with each other. Seen from the elements, the inner street
space of commercial complex is mainly composed of vertical interface,
horizontal interface and public facilities etc. The author focuses on the analysis
and research from the horizontal and vertical interfaces.
2.1.1. Space of inner street interface in commercial complex
The "space of inner street interface" in commercial complex mentioned in this
thesis specially refers to non-outdoor street space interface restricted by each
space features.
(1)Horizontal interface: proportion of shopping corridor in inner streets, density
of storefront, mixing degree of storefront functions.
The inner streets with the proportion of shopping corridors are unilateral
atrium commercial corridors. The shopping corridors in the inner streets are not
only such an important point to connect all kinds of space in series, but also one
of the major public area that pedestrians talk, have a rest and make activities.
The computational formula: the proportion of shopping corridor= area of
shopping corridor within street sections/total area of section *100%.
The mixing degree of storefront functions refers to the specific value of
function format quantity within every 50m street section. With the continuously
expanded operation mode of commercial complex, the format turns from single
shopping mode to multifunctional composite integrating leisure, shopping,
entertainment in one. The calculation method is as follows: the mixing degree of
storefront functions=categories of storefront function in street sections/total
categories of storefront functions *100%.
(2) Longitudinal interface: Space Penetration rate, aspect ratio of inner street
Space Penetration rate takes well-hole space as a study point, and the
calculation method is: the area of well-hole space in street sections/total area of
sections *100%.
The calculation method for the aspect ratio of an inner street has already
shown in the Exterior Space Design compiled by Yoshinobu-ashihara. The
height and the width of an inner street are respectively H and D, and the aspect
ratio of an inner street=D/H*100% [1].
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2.1.2. Pedestrian stay activities
Commercial wait and see
Commercial stop
Commercial stay
Social wait and see
Social stop
Social stop
Rest and sitting
Atrium performance
Figure 1. Types of Pedestrians’ Activities Source: photo by author.
In the book named Life between Buildings, Jan Gehl reduced people’s
activities to necessity, spontaneity and social activities. Pedestrians’ spontaneous
stay activity is mainly discussed in the thesis, and the occurrence of the activities
is much affected by external environment factors, being consequently
convenient for statistics and analysis [6]. The author continues to use the
classification of pedestrian’s activity variables raised by Chen Yong and Zhao
Xinghua, reduces them to two categories—commercial stay activities associated
with business and social stay activities irrelevant to business, and further
subdivides into the following seven types: (1) commercial wait and see: it means
commercial wait-and-see behavior of pedestrians who are walking and attracted
by commodities or publicity information; (2) commercial stop: it means the
behavior activities of pedestrians such as inquiry, trial, stop etc. who are
interested in the commodities in the inner streets and plan to get more
information; (3) commercial stay: it means the commercial consumption and
stay activities of pedestrians in the commercial rest area such as drinking coffee,
having meals etc.; (4) social wait and see: it means the wait-and-see activities of
pedestrians who are walking and attracted by the information irrelevant to
business such as looking on indoor landscape or others’ talks etc.; (5) social
stop: it means transient stay of pedestrians who are affected by non-commercial
reasons such as waiting, smoking etc.; (6) rest and sitting: it means pedestrians’
activities such as non-commercial rest, sitting etc. in the areas of inner street
such as public rest seats etc.; (7) other activities: it means activities happening in
commercial inner street such as atrium performance, commercial publicity etc.
,except the above six behavior activities [5] (Figure. 1) .
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2.2. Case selection
Section 1
Section 2
Section 5
Section 6
Section 3
Section 4
Section 7
Section 8
Figure 2. Selection of Inner Street Section Source: drawn by author.
Xi’an Lijia Village Wanda Shopping Center and the MixC Shenzhen
commercial complex are selected as the cases of comparative study in the thesis.
Xi’an Lijia Village Wanda Plaza, located in No. 8 Northern Section, Yanta
Road, Beilin District, Xi’an, is an urban complex building with the combination
of such functions as commerce, office, leisure and entertainment etc. Its building
area is 344,000 square meter, with 3 floors on the ground and 2 ones
underground. The retail shops are on the ground and the Wal-Mart market &
auxiliary space are underground. The MixC, located in Luohu District of
Shenzhen, is in the business district of Caiwuwei and in the southern side of
Diwang Building, positioned in high-end. Its covered area is 130,000 square
meter, with 5 floors on the ground and 1 underground floor; both of the two
research objects are in the core economic business districts of cities, with
convenient traffic, numerous service people, rich inner space levels and
diversified commercial activities. The commercial inner streets are unilateral
atrium style, and there are more variable factors at both sides of an inner street
interface in favor of statistical analysis. The author divides the 1st, 2nd floors in
Wanda Shopping Center and the 3rd, 4th floors in the MixC respectively into 8
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street sections (Figure 2), and every section is 50-100m long so as to make later
data record and analysis.
2.3. Research procedures
Of Activities Figure 3. Distribution of Crowd Activities in 8 Street Sections Source:
To ensure the validity and objectivity of data, the research has made twice. One
of the workdays and weekend were selected to launch a formal investigation.
Activity data are recorded in the way of field observation, taking pictures and
drawing behavior mapping etc. It is found in the research that pedestrian
activities are more intensive in the three periods of time: 12:00-13:00, 16:0018:00 and 19:00-21:00. Therefore, records are made in the way of scan-based
shooting at the interval of 30min within the three periods of time. For the
collation of research data, classification and summarization are made
correspondingly according to the pictures taken in different inner street sections
and periods of time, and the space variables of inner street interface are
computed to serve as independent variable data (Figure 4); meanwhile, to
eliminate the impact of other accidental factors, the data of all kinds of activities
are in the proportion of multiple metering, centesimal system computation, and
the density of every activity and unified metering are made in accordance with
activity density which is equal to the amount of every pedestrian activity/total
amount of pedestrian activity [7] (Figure 3).
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Activities in Street Sections Figure 4. inner street interface
variable data. Source: drawn by author.
3. Analysis on Space Variables and Pedestrian Activities
3.1. Space variables of inner street interface
According to the measured data, it can be seen that the mixing degree of
storefront functions in Street Sections 1, 2 and 3 is higher, focusing on
functional commercial activities such as clothing monopoly, accessories retail,
catering, supermarket and electric appliances etc.; the density of the storefronts
in Street Sections 2, 4 and 5 is higher. Street Section 2 is close to Lijia Village
Bus Stop and outdoor square, and Street Section 5 is near the access to outdoor
courtyard on the 3rd floor of the MixC; the proportion of the shopping corridors
in Street Sections 5, 7 and 8 is higher, and the space permeability of Street
Sections 7 and 8 is higher; at the same time, the aspect ratio of the inner streets
in Street Sections 1 and 2 forms a bright comparison against that of other street
sections.
3.2.
Analysis on pedestrian stay activities
We can find from the research data of the 8 inner street sections that, in the
amount of pedestrian activities in all street sections (Figure 5), the total activity
amount in Street Sections 3, 4 and 8 is higher, and the activity amount value of
social stop is obviously striking; the total amount of pedestrian activities in
Street Sections 1 and 2 is lower. it’s easy to find from Figure 6 that, by
comparison, the maximum proportion of social stop in the pedestrian activities
of inner streets accounts for 27%.The densities of the rest, sitting activity and
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Figure 5. Amount of Pedestrian Activities in
Street Sections.
Figure 6. Density and Specific Gravity.
Figure 7. Density of Commercial Activities
in Street Sections.
Figure 8. Density of Non-commercial.
other activities are lower, accounting for 6% and 5%, respectively. In general,
the proportion of social activity density and that of commercial activity density
remain equally, which is different from the measured research result of outdoor
pedestrian streets. Under the effect of multiple factors such as interior atrium
environment, light and facilities etc., the indoor commercial streets in urban
complex make the commercial property of inner streets increased greatly, not
simply to meet traffic function. The commercial inner streets combine the
commercial with traffic functions, which not only enriches the space of inner
streets, but is beneficial to promote commercial vitality.
The statistics is made to the density of commercial activities in all street
sections is Figure 7. It can be seen that the density of the commercial wait-andsee activity in Street Section 3 is the highest, and the total activity amount of
Street Section 1 is lower; meanwhile, the space permeability of Street Section 3
is higher. This shows that, by comparison, the space and open shopping
environment are more attractive to pedestrians’ attentions, making people gather
together, consequently bringing commercial vitality at both sides of inner street
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atrium. In the density and specific gravity of non-commercial activities in all
street sections shown in Figure 8, the density of social wait-and-see activities in
Street Section 8 is the highest, and that in Street Section 2 is the lowest.
4. Correlation Research Conclusion and Design Recommendation
To further discuss the correlation between space variables of inner street
interface and pedestrian activities, the author combines 3 sorts of commercial
activity data (commercial wait and see, commercial stop, commercial stay) and
4 sorts of social activity data (social wait and see, social stop, rest and sitting,
other activities)into 2 sorts of data (commercial and social activities), and makes
Figure 9.-b Space PermeabilityCommercial Activity.
Figure 9.-a Density of Storefront
Functions-Commercial Activity.
Figure 9.-d Proportion of Shopping
Corridor-Social Activity.
Figure 9.-c Proportion of Shopping
Corridor-Commercial Activity.
Figure 9.-f Density of
Storefront-Commercial Activity.
Figure 9.-e Aspect Ratio of Inner
Street-Commercial Activity.
Figure 9. Analysis on Scatter Diagram Source: drawn by author.
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linear regression scatter diagram analysis respectively with 5 variables of inner
street interface (Figure 9),then drawing the following conclusion:
4.1. Negative correlation existed between mixing degree of storefront
functions and commercial activities
It can be seen from Figure 9-a that, as far as overall pedestrian activities are
concerned, the mixing degree of storefront functions has a certain impact on
various activities. It has a negative correlation role in commercial activities and
a weaker positive correlation role in social activities.
The functions at both sides of the inner street in the commercial complex
are at present increasingly richer and richer, However, with the strengthening of
mixed functions, people’s purposive behaviors will produce multiple choices,
leading to increased social activities and decreased commercial purposes. The
majority of pedestrians will make a choice or pass through in the mixed function
area, weakening single intentional commercial behavior. Therefore, the mixing
ratio of storefront functions is particularly important, and excessive mixing
makes the functions of inner streets multiple and varied. On the basis of the
research, the author thinks it proper that the mixing degree of functions is
between 15%-25%, and moderate function combination can promote
commercial vitality.
4.2. Space penetration rate is a key factor to affect pedestrians’ various
activities
It shows based on the data in Figure 9-b that Space Penetration rate has a
stronger promotion role in commercial and social activities.
Owing to the functions borne such as commerce, traffic and landscape etc.,
the inner street space is frequently set combined with atrium space. Creating a
feeling of people seeing each other through space-high processing techniques
such as hollow and dislocation. It is observed from Street Sections 7 and 8 that
the space permeability of inner streets in the MixC is higher. There is the
permeability of big and small atriums and a 2-floor indoor ice-arena attracts
pedestrian to stop, wait and see, creating great commercial atmosphere.
Therefore, the author considers that the quality of inner street space environment
directly affects the emotion feeling of consumers. The space permeability of
atrium inner streets can serve as a point of view designed for the future
commercial complex. For the inner street space with comfortable environment
and convenient commercial facilities, the highlights of business opportunity and
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space design are combined and designed, providing people with good spatial
experience and simultaneously increasing commercial vitality.
4.3. The proportion of shopping corridors has a positive effect on
pedestrians’ social activities
According to Figures 9-c and 9-d, the proportion of shopping corridors also has
a greater effect on various activities, particularly having a positive correlation
role in social activities. The more the shopping corridors are, the larger the
density of social activities is.
Shopping corridors are the main walking routes of pedestrian activities.
Therefore, they have a direct relation with the correlation of pedestrian
activities. It is found from the research that the proportion of shopping corridors
in Street Sections 5, 6 and 7 in the MixC is higher, which represents that the
advancing routes have multiple crossing and possibilities. Consumers can have
multiple choices in the walking routes. They can either stay or go shopping,
promoting the increase in the probability of occurrence of social activities; the
moving lines in a single corridor will greatly reduce consumers’ stay desires.
Most of them will choose to walk fast, thereby glancing at or ignoring the
commerce around inner streets. Combined with the research data, the author
finds that, when the proportion of a single-layer shopping corridor is 15%-20%,
the commercial and social activities can be strengthened to increase
simultaneously, making the aggregated degree of crowds rise, promoting the
free-flowing of people in space rather than relatively absolutized fixed
streamline mode, accordingly driving the commercial vitality of inner streets.
4.4. The proportion of shopping corridors has a positive effect on
pedestrians’ social activities
According to 9-e research data, it shows that the aspect ratio of inner streets has
a negative correlation role in commercial and social activities. With the increase
in the aspect ratio of inner streets, the amount of activities is constantly
decreased.
The side interface and the bottom interface of commercial inner streets
constitute the basic form of street space, and the proportion and dimension
directly affect consumers’ space perception. Yoshinobu-ashihara made a careful
analysis and conclusion on the relationship between the building at both sides of
street and the street space in the Exterior Space Design. "Assume D is the
interval of adjacent buildings, i.e. street width, and H is the height of the
building. When D/h=1, a certain symmetry exists between the height of building
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and interval. With D/H decreasing than 1, a looming sense is formed; with D/H
increasing than 1, a distance sense comes into being"[1]. The author continues to
use Yoshinobu-ashihara’s aspect ratio algorithm and applies it in inner street
interface, finding that D/H of Street Sections 1 and 2 is larger than 1, the
distance sense at both sides of inner street is stronger, the atmosphere is weaker,
and the amount of pedestrian activities is obviously declined; when D/H is
smaller than 1, the rhythm sense of inner street space is stronger, manifesting
being lively and dynamic; the popularity of Street Sections 3, 5 and 8 is the
strongest. Therefore, it can be concluded that: aspect ratio of inner street D/H is
the most beneficial to create atmosphere of inner streets between 0.7-0.8, and an
appropriate space scale design will become an important criterion to measure
consumers’ behavior activities.
4.5. The density of storefront has a promoting role in commercial
activities
It can be seen from Figure 9-f that there is a positive correlation existed between
the density of storefronts and the commercial activities.
The density of storefront can reflect to some extent either in outdoor
pedestrian streets or indoor commercial inner streets the density of space at both
sides of interface. The arrangements of storefronts and rhythms can affect
consumers’ shopping emotions and space perception. Jan Gehl thinks that there
are 15~25 business units or passageway street sections with the greatest vitality
per one hundred meter. 10~14 are walkable street sections [6]. In the two cases
selected for the research, the average density of the storefronts in Wanda Center
is 8~9 business units every 50m, i.e. 16-18 units every 100m. The average
density of the storefronts in the MixC complex is 6~7 business units every 50m,
i.e. 12-14 units every 100m. The density of the storefront units in Wanda Center
is higher, and verifies Jan Gehl’s space vitality theory. Besides, the total amount
of pedestrian activities is slightly larger than that of pedestrian activities in the
MixC. Meanwhile, the density of storefront has a weak negative correlation with
social activities. Due to the density of the storefronts in the MixC being slightly
lower than that in Wanda Center, most pedestrians will conduct the social
activities such as rests, talks etc. in the atrium, inner street corridor etc. with
favorable spatial experience, thereby weakening to some extent the probability
of occurrence of commercial activities. Therefore, the author thinks that, in the
design of commercial inner streets, the layout pattern of storefronts combined
with appropriate density, big & small units can be adopted at both sides of inner
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street interface within large urban complex, increasing pedestrians’ commercial
activities and promoting popularity.
5. Shortage and Prospect of Research
5.1. Fail to completely control single variable
The coherence and correlation between space variable of inner street interface in
commercial buildings and pedestrian activities are researched based on the
research analysis on the 8 street sections in Xi’an Wanda Shopping Center and
the MixC Shenzhen. It is necessary to note that the space variables of inner
street interfaces counted by the author have influence on each other. For
example, the inner street areas with higher space permeability are those with
higher proportion of shopping corridor, and the street sections with higher
storefront density are also those with higher mixing degree of storefront
functions. It is also found in the research that some space variables have diverse
impacts on different types of activities such as the positive correlation of the
mixing degree of storefront functions with social activities, the negative
correlation with commercial activities, the positive correlation of storefront
density with commercial activities and the negative correlation with social
activities etc. It indicates that it is certainly important to consider single space
variable in the specific design of commercial inner streets, but it’s required to
take into account the interface design and landscape creation of inner street
space-joint, rational-layout and scene atmosphere.
5.2. Imperfection of research method and data analysis technique
The research is performed mainly based on the research results obtained by two
group members: Chen Yong, Zhao Xinghua and Xu Leiqing, Kang Qi. On one
hand, analysis and conclusion are made on the correlation between the space
variables of inner street interface in commercial complex and the pedestrian
activities in the form of contrastive analysis by virtue of the current research
methods, achievement analysis and analogy application of outdoor commercial
pedestrian street interfaces. On the other hand, a preliminary discussion is made
on the space variables of quantized commercial inner streets. However, there are
still imperfections, and comprehensive research conclusion and threshold value
estimate are not obtained.
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5.3. Research prospect
Only a part of space variables of the inner street interfaces affecting pedestrian
activities are taken in the thesis. As for indoor variables, other variable factors
such as inner street length, width, storefront space, depth etc. are not researched
along with the outdoor variables are affected by multiple marco factors like the
location of complex, traffic etc. The author hopes to summarize experience and
methods based on the research for the purpose of making more specific analysis
and researches on the inner streets of other commercial complex and other
variables.
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