How do different design elements, such as seating arrangements, green spaces, pedestrian pathways, and recreational amenities, influence human behavior and psychology within urban plazas?

1. Urban Plazas in
As-Salt
Case studies of Al Ain Square and Oqba bin Nafe Plaza
Course: Landscape of the built environment
Instructor: Prof. Tawfiq Abu-Ghazzeh
Students: Hala Al Manaseer – Shahed Al Qudah

2. Table of contents
Introduction
01
About the Project
About As-Salt
About Urban Plazas
Case Studies
02
Conclusion
03
Critical Analysis
Data Collection
Evaluation

3. Introduction
01
About the Project
About As-Salt
About Urban Plazas

4. Project Description
The project aims to explore the influence of Urban Public Spaces, specifically
urban plazas, on human behavior, focusing on how these public spaces shape
social interaction, psychological well-being, and community engagement.
Urban plazas act as gathering spots, cultural hubs, and recreational areas for
residents and visitors. Understanding their impact on human behavior can offer
valuable insights into urban planning and design strategies.
Project Question
How do different design elements, such as seating arrangements, green spaces,
pedestrian pathways, and recreational amenities, influence human behavior
and psychology within urban plazas?
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5. Objectives
Examine the influence of urban plazas on social interaction, the mental well-
being and quality of life of the community.
Identify factors that contribute to the successful utilization and attractiveness of
urban plazas.
Methodology
Literature Review: Conduct an extensive review of existing academic literature,
case studies, and reports related to urban plazas, public spaces, and their impact
on human behavior.
Observational Studies: Utilize qualitative and quantitative observational
techniques to study the usage patterns and social dynamics within the selected
urban plazas.
Case Studies: Examine the selected urban plazas’ designs, identifying successful
and unsuccessful elements and their potential design flaws.
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6. ‫اقسمن‬ ‫السلط‬ ‫جند‬ ‫حنن‬
‫الميينا‬ ‫ا‬
‫تسمعين‬ ‫هل‬ ‫ادلهر‬ ‫حروف‬ ‫اي‬
‫ا‬
‫ال‬ ‫حتىي‬ ‫ان‬ ‫ابهلل‬ ‫قسام‬
‫سلط‬
‫علهيا‬ ‫حنيا‬ ‫مثلام‬
‫شاخمي‬
‫نا‬

7. ‫السلط‬ ‫مدينة‬
‫الاوائل‬
‫األردن‬ ‫يف‬ ‫جتارة‬ ‫غرفة‬ ‫أول‬
‫بدلية‬ ‫أول‬
‫اململكة‬ ‫يف‬ ‫مرسح‬ ‫أول‬
‫األردن‬ ‫يف‬ ‫خرجيني‬ ‫أول‬
‫ية‬‫ياس‬‫س‬ ‫عامصة‬ ‫أول‬
‫األوس‬ ‫الرشق‬ ‫يف‬ ‫جتارة‬ ‫غرفة‬ ‫أول‬
‫ط‬
‫األردن‬ ‫يف‬ ‫مياه‬ ‫بكة‬‫ش‬ ‫أول‬

8. City Evolution

9. Location
• Al Salt, a unique city in Jordan, boasts golden stone houses that
harmoniously cluster on hills without obstructing views or
privacy.
• Al Salt is among Jordan's oldest and well-established urban
settlements, maintaining its original character.
• Urban development centers around a spring in Akrad Valley,
spread across three hills with medieval castle remnants.
• Architectural layout resembles an amphitheater, spread across
hillsides, with footpaths and stairways linking slopes.
• Many of these cities are now part of Palestine and Occupied
Territories, rooted in shared origins of old Said families.
• Al Salt's transformation into an urban center began with the
establishment of the governorate in 1866.
Downtown
‫البدل‬ ‫وسط‬

10. Historical Timeline

11. What are Urban Plazas
Urban Plazas are a part of Urban Public Spaces,
they play an essential role in enhancing the
quality of urban life and act as a center point
for social and cultural life in the city.
The main function of urban Plazas is gathering
people together for various reasons and
activities. Citizens from different social, economic,
and cultural backgrounds, age groups, all have
equal accessibility to the this public space.
Many public plazas have also historical
importance for the city’s identity and they
usually reflect the collective values of the
community.
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12. Functions and roles of an Urban Plaza
Individual activities: relaxing , sitting, reading, play
games, and meet with friends.
Gatherings: ceremonies, rituals, political activities,
musical events and theatre
Environmental: improving air quality, reduce noise
levels, increase green spaces and have a positive
psychological effect on the users
Economic: existence of open and green spaces
increases the real estate prices nearby
Commercial: Shops, restaurants and market places.
All the roles and functions of urban public squares
mentioned above also contribute to the well-being of
individuals and communities.
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13. Elements of an urban Plaza
1. Use and Concept: A Plaza's Proposed Uses,
Functions and Linkages Should Be Determined as
Part of the Overall Project Design Process.
2. Visibility and Views: Good Street-to-Plaza
visibility should announce the Plaza's Internal
attractions and Plazas should take advantage of
good views.
3. Linkages: Plazas should be linked to other
surrounding open spaces, as well as interior spaces.
4. Safety: the elderly, disabled and young children
should be considered during the design process.
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14. Elements of an urban Plaza
5. User Attractions:
A. Seating: Good seating plans are essential. It contributes to how much time
people will spend in the space. Considerations include:
B. Activity Generators
food and retail outlets, as well as
entertainment, which attract users and
encourage socializing, relaxation and
festivities.
C. Amenities
Art work, Game tables, Information stands,
Kids playground, Cafes, all of these can
encourage general public usage and create a
sense of liveliness and excitement.
D. Detailing and material
Careful Detailing Should Include
Consideration of Materials, Their Durability
and Appearance.
E. Spatial Variety
large open spaces should be spatially
defined into smaller, more easily identifiable
and relatable areas.
Comfortable
seating
Variety of
seating
types
Sitting
location
Plentiful
Seating
maximize
opportunities for
sitting: walls,
steps, planters,
pool edges, lawns.
locate seating toward
street, oriented to a
view, near building
entrances or next to
attractions/amenities
In groups, couples,
or alone
Fixed and moveable
Disabled accessible.
Provide warmth:
generally wood is
preferable to stone,
concrete or metal
Provide contoured
seating, preferably
with a back and
armrest.
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15. Elements of an urban Plaza
6. Accessibility: access to features and routes
7. Aesthetics: using appropriate materials, furniture,
signage, and art to reflect the public nature of the space.
8. Productive: meeting the needs of the local
community
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16. Interests and wishes of the
citizen
Citizens’ Problems in
Downtown Salt
‫الوضع‬
‫الاقتصادي‬
ً‫ا‬‫جد‬ ‫متدهور‬
‫هللا‬ ‫عبد‬ ‫مجيل‬
‫يوسف‬
‫هممةل‬ ‫املنطقة‬
‫من‬ ً‫ا‬‫جد‬
‫البدلية‬
‫سكر‬ ‫ابراهمي‬
"
‫و‬ ‫يارات‬‫الس‬ ‫ازدحام‬
‫اماكن‬ ‫وجود‬ ‫عدم‬
‫لالصطفاف‬
"
‫بسام‬
‫حداد‬ ‫حنا‬
"
،‫نظيفة‬ ‫غري‬ ‫بيئة‬
‫صعوبة‬
،‫الادراج‬ ‫عرب‬ ‫التنقل‬
‫اماكن‬ ‫وجود‬ ‫عدم‬
‫ترفهيية‬
"
‫ابراهمي‬ ‫امحد‬
‫مرشوع‬ ‫اي‬ ‫وجود‬
‫توى‬‫املس‬ ‫يعزز‬
‫الاقتصادي‬
‫مجيل‬
‫يوسف‬ ‫عبدهللا‬
‫املنطقة‬ ‫تفعيل‬
‫ياحيا‬‫س‬
‫سكر‬ ‫ابراهمي‬
"
‫يطة‬‫بس‬ ‫حديقة‬
‫القر‬ ‫و‬ ‫للتزنه‬
‫اءة‬
"
‫الزعيب‬ ‫مروان‬ ‫محزة‬

17. Case Studies
02
Data Collection
Evaluation

18. 01 Al Ain Square
02 Oqba Bin Nafe’ Square
Data Collection Location

19. Al Ain Square
01

20. The site is located in the center
of Al-Salt, where the heritage
buildings built between 1879-
1884; Al-Sukkar , Al-Khateeb,
Al-Sakket and Abu-Sarhad act
as a backdrop for the project.
It sits opposite to the great
mosque that dates back to the
Abbasid Period and was
completely renovated.
Location

21. Historical Brief
Governmental
buildings demolition
Water Springs
01 02 03
Al Ain Plaza

22. Historical Brief
Al-Ain Square was named in reference to a couple of
water springs where people used to get their water from.
This square has a legacy and history between the past and
the present, where some of the old people of the city and
those who lived through the beginnings of its establishment
and development used to enjoy and sit in this square in the
afternoon, as a tradition that the children inherited from
their parents and grandparents, chatting and engaging in
conversation.
The Ministry of Tourism renovated and restored the
square as part of the As Salt downtown renovation
project in 2007. Studies were prepared at that time by Al-
Bitar Engineering Consultancy Office.

23. Vision: “Creating a new, central, urban, multifunctional space by redesigning the area. The
new public space will expand the Saha and enhance its role as the centre of Urban life.”
Design Criteria

24. Concept Formation
1. Create an Urban public space to bring
people together and strengthen
community bonds and social interaction
2. Connect the space to its surroundings,
giving the priority to pedestrian
circulation
3. Reviving the original memory of the
space through landscape and water
features

25. Original Design
1. Huge open empty space
2. Water feature
3. A couple of benches and amphitheater as seating spaces
4. Stairs connecting the square to the heritage buildings around
them
5. Used for sitting for short periods of time, waiting for friends or
transportation
6. Used for events and protests

26. Original Design
Amphitheatre
Built in shops
Stairs connecting the square to
the surrounding heritage buildings
Main street Al hammam
street
The great
mosque
‫ترا‬ ‫مباين‬
‫ثية‬

27. Original Design Evaluation
circulation is made up
of Stairs, no disabled
considerations
No Adequate Furniture
Amphitheatre has no
shading elements,
preventing people from
sitting
Water feature was never
activated, leaving it as a
garbage disposal area
Features

28. Current Design Evaluation
Added booths as part of
a project to provide job
opportunities for the
youth
‫مرش‬ ‫تفتتح‬ ‫ياحة‬‫الس‬
‫وع‬
‫التجاري‬ ‫الوسط‬ ‫أكشاك‬
‫السلط‬ ‫ملدينة‬
‫باب‬‫ش‬ ‫مع‬ ‫اتفاقيات‬
‫مرشوع‬ ‫من‬ ‫تفادة‬‫لالس‬
‫السلط‬ ‫يف‬ ‫الاكشاك‬
‫يف‬ ‫األكشاك‬ ‫مرشوع‬
‫يوفر‬ ‫السلط‬
30
‫فرصة‬
‫وشاابت‬ ‫باب‬‫لش‬ ‫معل‬
Concept

29. Current Design Evaluation "
‫ما‬
‫تفدان‬‫اس‬
‫ايش‬
"
"
‫اقل‬
‫نعرف‬ ‫كنا‬ ‫فهيا‬ ‫ما‬
‫نتحرك‬
"
"
‫ال‬
‫من‬ ‫ايش‬ ‫جبنا‬ ‫معران‬ ‫ما‬
‫الكشاكت‬
"
"
‫اكن‬
‫َس‬‫ف‬‫َن‬‫م‬
"
"
ً‫ال‬‫اص‬
‫ماكن‬ ‫مايف‬
‫نقعد‬
"
"
‫بيجينا‬
‫زاب‬
‫بس‬ ‫ااه‬ ‫نن‬
‫ياح‬‫س‬
"
‫ّت‬‫ك‬َ‫س‬
‫وانا‬
Concept

30. Current Design Evaluation
Original shops
are still not in
use
Amphitheatre
is disrupted by
the booths
No
Vandalism
"
‫هون‬ ‫منقعد‬ ‫ما‬
"
"
‫حصبييت‬ ‫بستنا‬
"
"
‫اتكيس‬ ‫منستنا‬
"
"
،‫جدا‬ ‫ئي‬‫س‬ ‫الوضع‬
‫ن‬ ‫مايف‬
‫ظ‬
‫افة‬
"
"
‫ممنر‬
‫مرور‬
‫الكرام‬
"
Maintenance
Features

31. Current Design Evaluation
Structures are too big and
there are too many
No respect for
human scale
Disturbs pedestrian circulation
Material used does not
respect the historical area
Ruins view
‫احىل‬ ‫قبل‬
‫حلو‬ ‫كتري‬ ‫مش‬
‫ضيق‬ ‫املاكن‬
‫املدرج‬ ‫ع‬ ‫غطى‬
‫يش‬ ‫نشوف‬ ‫بطلنا‬
Features

32. Oqba Bin Nafe’
Plaza
02

33. The site is located in the center
of Al-Salt, and it represents the
heart of the city.
The development of Oqba Bin
Nafe’ and its surrounding
buildings aims to contribute to
the restoration of the historical
significance of the city center
and the memory of the
surrounding orchards as a key
component in shaping the
current urban fabric.
Location

34. Site views and surroundings

35. Historical Brief
Oqba Bin Nafe
School
Orchids
01 02 03
Oqba Bin Nafe
Plaza
‫البسات‬ ‫منطقة‬
‫ني‬
‫مدرسة‬
‫ساحة‬

36. In preparing the concept design of Upgrading and Rehabilitation of
‘Al-Salt’ City Center, the following criteria’s were followed:
● Designing a public hub that acts as an oasis to the context,
creating a focal point surrounded by buildings.
● The design is generated from the intersection between two
main axes: One from Al SAGHIR Mosque/Al HAMMAM Street and
the cultural center, Second one from the pedestrian street and
Al-Salt museum.
● The project is designed to blend with its urban context. Retail
shops are created as a means to further define the commercial
nature of ‘Al-Salt’ city Center.
● The plaza can host different events with the ability to control the
entry.
Design Criteria
‫ذاكرة‬ ‫احياء‬
‫البساتني‬

37. 1. The parking level was taken as a base for the entire project, to insure and maintain the
integrity of the site.
2. Functions are arranged on the boundary, creating a public plaza within, Users will be
able to access these function from the plaza.
3. Visual and Physical Connections were created with the pedestrian street, HAMMAM
street, Al SAGHIR Mosque and the Cultural center, Thus creating an open perspective for
the project.
4. Extending access from AL SAGHIR Mosque and cultural center creating two main
pathways that meet to create a central core which acts as a cultural hub.
Concept Formation
Parking
Plaza
Court

38. Concept Generation

39. Project Components
Gathering
Plaza
Retail
Shops
Information
Center
Outdoor
Exhibition
Area
Underground
Parking
Kids Area
Buses drop
off area for
the Tourists
Open
Market Space

40. Master
Plan
Urban Context &
Connections Diagram

41. Master
Plan
Site Accessibility
Diagram

42. Master
Plan
Circulation and
Functions Diagram

43. ‫الص‬ ‫املسجد‬
‫غري‬
‫الثق‬ ‫املركز‬
‫ايف‬
‫متحف‬
‫السلط‬

45. Urban Context & Connections
Evaluation
The Central Area is
not act as
Communal Space ,
Not Attractive
‫مشتت‬
There is no Visual
Connection Between
The plaza And As-Salt
Museum
The Project Have a Clear
Boundaries Disconnect
The Project With
Surrounded
The Project Is not
Welcoming it is Self
Enclosed
‫منغلق‬

46. Amenities
Evaluation
Add Trees as
Shading Elements
There is No
Shadings
Elements

47. Amenities
Evaluation
Add Adequate
Furniture
Children
Playground Is
Not Suitable and
Safe
There is no
shading space
above the built-
in seating.

48. Shops
Evaluation
Shops Functions are
Not Suitable for The
Main Users
Most Shops Are Not In
Use
Only One or Two
Beverage Shops

49. Parking
Evaluation
No Enough Parking
(There are only 300
Parking)
Vandalism

50. Maintenance
Evaluation
Limited Maintenance
Vandalism
Some Space is not
Clean

51. Conclusion
03
Critical Analysis

52. Critical Analysis
Productive
Linkages
Visibility &
Views
Accessibility
Aesthetics
Al Ain Square
Use &
Concept
Safety
User
Attractions
Original concept was
acceptable, but the updated
version deprived people from
the original vision
Booths
disturbed all
the views
and visibility
Stairs linkage between
plaza and surrounding
buildings was successful,
but street linkage
became very weak
No maintenance
and no disability
considerations
It was only used for
circulation and pictures,
with the new addition
people cant do either
Is somewhat
Accessible
Original yellow stone
respected the
surroundings, but the
new addition ruined
all the aesthetics
Prevented people
from gathering,
celebrating and
protesting

53. Critical Analysis
Productive
Linkages
Visibility &
Views
Accessibility
Aesthetics
Oqba bin Nafe’
Plaza
Use &
Concept
Safety
User
Attractions
Provided the community
with a space for social
interaction, gathering
and events.
Large
enclosed
walls, make
it look like a
huge building
Has many gates,
each connected
to an important
landmark, at the
same time, they
are scattered
Available
maintenance
and security, as
well as safe for
the disabled
People only go there
because it’s the only
available place
Easy access
from
different
locations
Materials used are
suitable for the
surroundings, it is
generally
aesthetically pleasing
Shop functions are
not suitable and
people don’t use
them. There are
limited areas for
sitting. At the same
time they provided
300 parking spots

54. Thank You