| Author(s) | Mohammed A. Al-Nowaiser |
| Affiliation | Assistant Professor, College of Architecture and Planning, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia |
| Title | Substantive Principles for the Saudi Built Environment |
| Source | Journal of King Saud University. Architecture & Planning. Volume 3, No 1. (1991/1411) |
| Abstract | Built environment patterns play different roles in influencing user behavior based on the context under which they operate. They attempt to coordinate between certain environmental, social, economic and change forces on their inhabitants. The enviommental perception and actions of users, based on their environemntal knowledge in the form of spatial symbols, statements and concepts, have been dynamic, fluctuating and sometimes unpredictable. Such physical language has been mainly generated through historical processes in which different generations have contributed to its advancement through trial and error. Therefore, it is important to understand and identify certain place types and features of greatest influence. Spatial identities and characteristics have been categorized mainly into two types, substantive and instrumental (Alnowaiser 19851987). These terms are meant to capture the meaning of two types of spatial qualities with respect to human behavior. These substantive qualities are rooted in their associated cultural and environmental systems. These include symbolic, authentic, social, communal, organic and ecological spatial contexts. The instrumental place types have emerged recently from the phenomena of materialism, consumption habits, individualism and economic etficiency. This includes functional, unauthentic, profane, materialistic and individualistic places. Therefore, substantive spatial quality has a much more positive impact on environmental quality of life than the instrumental one. The emergence of either substantive or instrumental place qualities or a mix between is dependent on our perception of the built environmental functions and meanings. Thus, the more accurate, and correct, our image and the greater awareness we have about our spatial elements and systems, the more substantive contexts we would produce. While the more distorted our perceptions with a lack of an appropriate environmental knowledge, the more distant we become from expressing our real spatial needs. The latter effect would be manifested into places, features and use which result in instrumental contexts. Various spatial elements such as dwellings, streets, parks, stores and others individually, and in the entirety, can affect the overall behavioral systems of people. We can arrange them to their optimal possible functional, meaning and symbolic dimensions in which important behavioral streams can flourish. These include communality, and cultural and knowledge exchange, which will create more sociable and hospitable human environments. |
