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International Journal of Environment, Ecology,Family and Urban Studies (IJEEFUS)ISSN 2250-0065Vol. 3, Issue 1, Mar 2013, 45-58
TJPRC Pvt. Ltd.
SOCIAL INTERACTION IN COMMUNAL OUTDOOR SPACES OF RESIDENTIAL
HOUSING ESTATES IN BISKRA-ALGERIA
NACEUR FARIDA
Department of Architecture, University of Batna, Algeria
ABSTRACT
This study tends to examine the relationship between the communal outdoor space design in a residential housing
estate and the residents social interaction. For the purpose of our study we chose a housing project situated in a Z.H.U.N
of Biskra, a middle city in the south of Algeria, namely Cit des 1000Logts. The study is based upon observations of the
ways in which the residents use their neighborhood spaces. Observations are supplemented by interviews with the
residents, about the perceived adequacy of these spaces for social interaction. Findings showed that the high degree of
openness of la cite des 1000 logts and the bad quality of its communal outdoor spaces discouraged all form of use and
reduced it to a transit area. These results revealed that the layout of buildings, the arrangement and the quality of common
outdoor spaces in residential neighborhoods have profound effects upon the use of the area and social interaction among
residents.
KEYWORDS:Communal Outdoor Space, Social Interaction, Design Layout, Housing Estates
INTRODUCTION
In Algeria, the fast population growth in the past 50 years has resulted in rapid urbanization all over the country.
Algerian cities experienced continuous population growth because of migration from rural areas and natural growth of
urban population and thus are faced with the problem of rapid housing production.
Unfortunately, there was no governmental housing policy to face this galloping growth. Government involvement
in public housing did not come about until the 1974. To deal with housing shortage, Z.H.U.N (Zone dhabitat urbaine
nouvelle), great public housing projects funded by the Algerian government were launched throughout the country. This
international model of housing, based on the process of prefabrication and standardization was intended to provide
Algerian urban population with modern, decent and affordable housing.
Most of the Z.H.U.N have been built on peripheral extensions and conceived in blocks of apartments arranged
freely on vast open spaces. Initially, it was foreseen to endow them with all necessary facilities in order to satisfy the needs
of the residents. Nevertheless, they remained incomplete, badly finished and deprived from all facilities for many years.
The question of whether this model of housing leads to more anonymityhas been an issue of concern to many
social psychologists and environmental designers. Researches revealed the negative effects of such living environments
which tend to be unfavorable to social relationship. (Lobout ,1968; Kaminski,1978; Keane, 1991; Coleman,1999)
Common areas between the houses are important features that afford social activities in neighborhoods.
Nevertheless, much of urban research seems to indicate that the decline of social life in housing estates is closely related to
the design of their communal outdoor spaces. It is the spatial arrangement of the blocks that have been found to reduce the
chance of social interaction among residents and influence the activity pattern. (Chombart de Lawe, 1952; Abu-Ghazzeh,
1999).
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46 Naceur Farida
As in the other countries, many Z.H.U.N in Algeria encountered increasing problems. A research in Batna, a
middle city in East of Algeria revealed that the Z.H.U.N became an anonymous space in which the inhabitants endure
difficult conditions: social cohesiveness was deteriorated, neighborhood relations were damaged and tensions flared
between the residents. (Naceur F, 2003) Another research on a Z.H.U.N in Annaba (Mebirouk , 2005) showed that outdoor
spaces supposed to enhance social interaction between occupants were abandoned, deserted and diverted from their use.
Visibly all common spaces undergo an accelerated deterioration rightly after the occupation of the apartments; they
sometimes turn into support of rubbish and garbage. Vandalism and lack of maintenance had become real and pervasive
problem.
The above results show that the degree of alienation has become serious among Algerian Z.H.U.N residents. This
study aims to examine the problems related to the social life in the Z.H.U.N, by inquiring into the impact of outdoor
communal spaces on social interaction.
HOW CAN SPACE SERVE SOCIAL INTERCTION?
Many studies convey the idea that outdoor space can enhance social interaction. People go to outdoor spaces
because of the need for human. Cooper and al 1998) . Outdoor spaces are sites for chance encounters and potential
interactions (Drucker and al, 1998). They provide opportunities for space users by visual contacts and non verbal
communications for higher level social interactions. In large apartment buildings, individuals have been found to socialize
in outdoor common spaces, because this type of housing increase recreation outside of the home ( Glaeser, and al. 2000)
According to many researches we divided factors influencing social interaction in housing estates into two general
areas of focus: social variables and physical elements of communal outdoor spaces:
Social Variables
Presence of children at home, owner-renter status, length of residence and annual income are relevant socio-
demographic characteristics presumably associated with social interaction. Nevertheless, similarity is a precondition of the
development of social ties. People are more likely to engage in interactions and develop friendships with homogeneous,
like-minded others. (Haggerty,1982).
Physical and Spatial Elements
The physical elements which may affect the patterns of social contact among neighbors include layout pattern, site
plan, scale and proportion, land use mixandphysical features:
Layout Pattern
Refers to the spatial arrangement of a neighborhood. The layout plan of housing estates can contribute to interact
among residents within housing estates and turn the interaction into a social relationship. In 1960, Jacobs, drew attention
on the arrangement of traditional neighborhoods that can enhance social life, she asserted that physical features such as
sidewalks afford social activities. (Jacobs,1961). (Gehl,1986) found that long duration activities in a residential street
occurred in semiprivate zones, what he called soft edges (e.g. front gardens).
This point of view is supported by Newmans defensible theory. (Newman, 1972) According to this theory,
territoriality is a critical mechanism for creating a cohesive residential environment, making it well contained and easier to
monitor and control.
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Social Interacton in Communal Outdoor Spaces of Residential Housing Estates in Biskra-Algeria 47
More intimate scale stimulates people more for spontaneous activities, neighboring can be engendered by having
small-scale, well-defined neighborhood with clear boundary.
In order to avoid confused spaces around the blocs in which it was unclear what the land was used for and who
policed it, Newman proposed two critical components:
Territorial definition of the physical environment: by subdividing the residential environments into zonestoward which adjacent residents can easily adopt proprietary attitudes.
Territorial markings and signage: zones of control can be created through the use of physical or symbolicbarriers that disrupt movement between public and private spaces.
Newman proposed many design guidelines that have been incorporated to residential environments for
enhancement of social interaction while providing security. (Newman, 1996).
Mixed Land Uses
Jacobs was the first one who articulated the relationship between mixed land uses, social interaction and sense of
community. She argued that public housing complexes destroyed the traditional mixed-use communities that produce a
vibrant street life. (Choay, 1965)
When place of residence is juxtaposed with places to shop or recreate, social interaction is encouraged since
people tend to walk more. The mixture of residential and commercial land uses increases opportunities for "chance
encounters". When there is nothing to do there a space will be empty and unused
Physical Features
A high quality of outdoor space can enhance social interaction, it invites people to come and stay for some time.
The more time people spent outdoors, the more activities may be grown. (Knack, 2000). Visual appearance of common
outdoor spaces is important for neighborhood relations (Skjaeveland et al, 1997)
Physical features have been identified as efficient design elements in outdoor spaces for encouraging social
contacts. They can attract people to stay in the places and stimulate their conversation. The existence of interesting objects
or events: water features, appropriately arranged seats encourages peoples use of public space.
The provision of greenery in residential communities increases the opportunity for social activity and enhances
the social bonding among the residents (Shu-Chun Lucy Huang, 2006) In addition, playgrounds containing recreational
facilities, especially those attractive to children, is more likely to make their custodians interact. (Lau, 1997)
STUDY SITE
For the purpose of our study we chose a housing project situated in a Z.H.U.N of Biskra, a middle city in the
South of Algeria. West Z.H.U.N in Biskra was built during the 1980s, a period when a large proportion of Algerian
Z.H.U.N were built.
Like other residential areas from that period, it was situated on the outskirts of the town, and had a specific
physical character of 4-5 storey housing and large communal outdoor spaces. It was completed and occupied in 1987.
La cite des 1000 logts is a housing project of 1000 dwelling units located in west Z.H.U.N The project has 1000
dwelling units arranged in four to five-story apartment buildings Fig.1 shows the location of the Z.H.U.N.
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Figure 1: Location the West Z.H.U.N in Biskra
METHODOLOGY
The purpose of this research is to examine the relationship between the outdoor space design of housing estates
and the residents social interaction. The investigation draws on three sources of information, observations of peoples use
and activities in common outdoor spaces, the design characteristics of the neighborhood and interviews with a sample of
residents living in la Cit des 1000 logts .
The context of observations included the number of users, users gender, users age range (elderly, middle-aged,
young adult, and children), movement flow, as well as information about outdoor space uses and sociability: are the
residents using the space or is it empty? Is there a mix of ages and sexes? Do people cluster in groups? Sites were visited
repeatedly at different hours of weekends and working days. The field studies were carried out in February and March of2011 on the assumption that outdoor spaces are used more intensively at these times
Observations were supplemented by questionnaire survey with the residents, in order to collect information about
the profile of the population as well as the attitudes of residents toward neighbors and their uses of common outdoor
spaces. Data was collected from the owners of flats in the apartment blocks surrounding the open spaces. The number of
users interviewed was 230
RESEARCHRESULTS
Community Profile of the Cite Des 1000 Logts
As evident from Table 1, most of the households in la cite des 1000 logts were found to be large-sized nuclear
families with an average of 5-6 children. In spite of the preponderance of nuclear family 83,9% , large families still
represent 16,1%. Of the 230 respondents in the study, 7 had a female head only. Heads of households were predominantly
full-time employees.
The residents of cite des 1000 logts were relatively average educated and represent middle-class socioeconomic
levels. 90,9% of female were housewives, Only 9,1% among them were active. The majority of households head had
completed high school or done some college work and nearly 29,1 per cent had received a university degree . Only 8,2% of
head of household were unemployed. Occupations were as of the following. 51,3% were government employees, 31,7%
were retired, 18,3% per cent were skilled workers, 16,1% had their own business , small enterprises, small trades . Only
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Social Interacton in Communal Outdoor Spaces of Residential Housing Estates in Biskra-Algeria 49
6,1% held minimally skilled jobs.Findings show a high percentage of owners among the dwellers: 60%. Only 40% of the
dwellings were still rented.
To get information about the approximate household incomes, we combined three sources of information:
Occupation of the head of household and his spouse and sources of wealth: possession of cars, trades , real estates.
Results allowed us to regroup households in three categories: low, middle and high incomes. Table 1, shows that
51,3% of household had a middle income, against 34,8% who had a low income . Thus the residents of the study area
represent middle class socio-economic levels in Biskra
Findings revealed that a majority of people living in cite des 1000 logts share a great number of socio-economic
conditions. They are relatively a homogeneous population.
Table 1: Household Characteristics
Socio-Economic Characteristics NumberValid
Percent
Cumulative
Percent
Person per Household
1-2
3-4
5-6
7-8
9 and more
02
25
82
72
49
0,9%
10,9%
35,6%
31,3%
21,3%
0,9%
11,8%
47,4%
78,7%
100%
Number of household per house
1
2
193
37
83,9%
16,1%
83,9%
100%
Marital status of head of household
Married
Divorced
Widowed
223
05
02
96,9%
2,2%
0,9%
96,9%
99,1%
100%
Number of children1-2
3-4
5 and more
32
115
83
13,9
50%
36,1 %
13,9%
63,9%
100%
Employment of head of household
Retired
Government Employee
Unskilled worker
Skilled worker
His own business (little tradesman)
Unemployed
73
45
14
42
37
19
31,7%
19,6%
6,1%
18,3%
16,1%
08,2%
31,7%
51,3%
57,4%
75,7%
91,8%
100%
Education of head of household
Primary school
High school or secondary level
Academic level university degree
22
141
67
9,6%
61,3%
29,1%
9,6%
70,9%
100%
Employment of household wife
Housewife
Employee
209
21
90,9%
9,1%
Income
High Income
Middle incomeLow income
No response
09
11880
23
3,9%
51,3%34,8%
10
3,9%
55,%90%
100%
Status of residency
Renter
Owner
92
138
40%
60%
40%
100%
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Locations, Types and Facilities
Many services were initiated for the improvement of the project. A primary school and a college have been
inserted in the central area. A set of administrative equipments have been implanted all along the North urban artery, they
limit the project thus and form its urban faade. Fig.2 shows the location of these facilities they include: bank, insurance,
police station and several other administrative buildings. Bus station became a vital link joining the project to the inner
city.
Nevertheless there is no real mixture of residential and commercial land uses in the cit des 1000logtsto afford
social interaction. A limited number of shops emerged along the north urban artery, they include: a cafe, two fast foods, a
convenience store, a pharmacy, an internet and a videogame room. Except the unique cafe the other shops are focused on
the daily supply and necessities of the local residents; they lack the visual appearance and the attraction to stimulate urban
life in the neighborhood and to encourage social interaction. The internet and videogame room attract youngsters, however,
it appears that they cannot add vitality to the neighborhood as they are introverted
Communal outdoor spaces were provided in extremely poor conditions. Little attention was paid to the provision
of outdoor spaces with greenery and design furniture .Parklands was not created as was foreseen in the initial conception.
The character of the external spaces is till now marked by predominantly paved areas with little planting. Photo.1
The only recreational facility installed was a soccer field. Initially children playgrounds have been foreseen in the
areas between residential blocks. However no play equipment and no setting areas were provided in these spaces. They are
not even paved with the safety mat to afford a safe playing environment for the children.
Figure 2: Spatial Organization of the Cit Des 1000 logts
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Social Interacton in Communal Outdoor Spaces of Residential Housing Estates in Biskra-Algeria 51
Photo 1: Bad Quality of Outdoor Communal Spaces
Accessibility
There are several types of access to the cite as shown in fig 2. Buses are the main modes of public transportation
in the planning scheme area. Public transport interchange facilities are provided at convenient locations.
In order to preserve the intimacy of the residential area, all entries to the blocks had been oriented toward the
inside of the neighborhood. The blocks opens up thus on the common outdoor spaces between the blocks rather than on the
outside public arteries. See Fig.2. Nevertheless this tentative of closing of the cit des 1000 logts remained without
impact on the selection of the accessibilities and especially the risks of intrusion in the neighborhood, because a large
percentage of interviewees reported the intensity of thefts and aggressions and said that in most of the cases offenders were
foreigners See Table.4
Social Interaction
In the questionnaire survey, the extensiveness of social networks was studied by investigating how well residents
knew others in both their building and in the neighborhood. Table.2 shows that the respondents have more extensive
networks of interactions as many of them said that they know neighbors not only in their buildings, but also in different
buildings of the same neighborhood.
In order to investigate the intensity of social interaction, fours indicators were designed in the questionnaire
survey:
friends in the neighborhood frequency of visits between neighbors nature of the exchanges and services between neighbors Talking with neighbors about personal problems as the most intense form of social contact.72 out of 230 respondents said that they have friends in the neighborhood. Respondents were asked how often do
they exchange visits with their neighbors .According to the statistics, 60,9% said that they often or sometimes visit their
neighbors. 23,9% said that they seldom visit their neighbors. Only 15,2% of the respondents said they never visit their
neighbors 45,6% of the respondents said that : death, marriage ceremonies or eventually illness are the only opportunities
for exchanges with their neighbors . For 43,5 % of the respondents the exchanges with their neighbors are more frequent
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and more personal. Nature of exchanges varies from: taking care of children, loans of domestic objects to financial aid in
case of crisis. Finally, most of the respondents said that they would not talk with other neighbors about personal crisis.
Although the number of those who have friends in the neighborhood was restricted, results show that respondents
had more extensive networks of interactions , visits were more frequent and many services were exchanged between
neighbors. Accordingly we can affirm that contrary to our predictions there is no anonymity in cite des 1000 logts ,
degree of social interaction is rather higher than predicted .
Table 2: Social Interaction
Social interaction NumberValid
PercentCumulative
Percent
Number of persons known by name in your building
all
almost all
half
very few
none
10
112
60
25
23
4,3%
48,7%
26,1%
10,9%
10,0%
4,3%
53,0%
79,1%
90,0%
100%
Number of persons known by name in different building of thesame neighborhood
all
almost all
half
very few
none
5
75
85
35
30
2.2%
32,6%
37,0%
15,2%
13,00%
2,2%
34,8%
71,8%
87%
100%
Do you have friend in the neighborhood
Yes
No
72
158
31,3%
68,7%
31,3%
100%
If you have a personal crisis you have a neighbor you can talk
to
YesNo
63
167
27,4%
72,6
27,4%
100%
Frequency of visits to people living in your neighborhood
Often
Sometimes
Seldom
Never
45
95
55
35
19,6%
41,3%
23,9%
15,2%
19,6%
60,9
84,8%
100%
Nature of exchanges and services
Loan of domestic objects
Taking care of children
Financial help
Ceremonies ,Death and illeness
None
35
42
23
105
25
15,2%
18,26%
10%
45,6%
10,9%
15,2%
33,5%
43,5%
89,1%
100%
Use of Outdoor Common Spaces
Observations showed that outdoor communal spaces are most of the time used as transit areas than spaces of stay
and leisure. Because of its situation, its high rate of public facilities, the bus station, la cit des 1000logts is crossed
continually by various external fluxes. Intense pedestrian fluxes were observed in the neighborhood all over the weekdays.
Records from site observations in the neighborhood which was visited repeatedly at different hours of weekends
and during working days have shown that passerby were the frequent users who made extensive use of open space. Most of
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Social Interacton in Communal Outdoor Spaces of Residential Housing Estates in Biskra-Algeria 53
them come from adjacent neighborhoods and cross the study area to reach their various destinations. Consequently the rate
of social interactions was weaker during workdays. The only regular users were children, who because of the lack of
adequate playground used extensively open spaces for their games. Results of the interviews confirmed these observations:
A high percentage of respondents 69,1% said that the only use of common outdoor spaces is transit. Only 23,5% said that
they use outdoor spaces to socialize with others, or accompany their children and supervise them at play. Less than 8% said
they use outdoor spaces for taking a rest, going for a walk or practicing any form of sport.
A sensitive rise of use of outdoor spaces was observed during the week end. The rate of social interactions
increased slightly and outdoor spaces became spaces of stay and exchanges. Observations conducted during several
weekends, showed that specific groups have their own favorite activities to do in the outdoor common spaces. Men choose
to meet the most public spaces otherwise the cafe and the boutiques installed on the peripheral areas .They deliberately
move away from the spaces near blocks in order to preserve the intimacy of the neighborhood life Women used to cross
quickly the neighborhood. They never stay late in common outdoor spaces near the blocks for chatting or gathering. It is
not common to see women accompanying children to outdoor space and supervising them at play, this activity is strictly
reserved to men: fathers, grand brothers.
Children are the frequent users of communal outdoor spaces. Large open spaces provide opportunities for diverse
children games: foot ball game, biking, running, playing on toy vehicles. This presence of children in communal outdoor
spaces is also often source of problems and neighborhood conflicts .63% of the respondents mentioned the frequency of
neighborhood conflicts, 62,3% among them said that children are the main cause of neighborhood conflicts.
See table 3 . Because of the lack of adequate playing areas, most of children games turn into acts of vandalism and
deterioration of the blocks: throwing stones, breaking windows, graffiti , .Male teenagers , meet after school in the
outdoor spaces to talk or to play ball games before they go home. Older men are often observed gathering, talking, playing
traditional games. Because of the absence of appropriately arranged seats they generally carry away a chair, an old carpet,
or a cardboard to sit on it In addition to the lack of attractiveness, common outdoor spaces became intolerable and
uncomfortable during summer seasons.
They were not designed appropriately for the hot and dry climate of the region. They are too open and none
covered, none shelters were provided. Consequently outdoor common spaces became completely deserted all along the
summer days Respondents were also asked if the quality of outdoor space is good, will they use it or not. 202 out of 230
respondents said that they would go to this good quality space.
Table 3: Uses of Outdoor Common Space
Use of Outdoor Spaces NumberValid
PercentCumulative
Percent
Activities in outdoor common spacesTransit
Socialize with others or accompanying children
Taking rest
Going for a walk
Practicing a sport
159
54
4
5
8
69,1%
23,5%
1,7%
2,2%
3,5%
69,1%
92,6%
94,3%
96,5%
100
If the quality of outdoor space is good will they
use it?
Yes
No
202
28
87,8%
12,2%
87,8%
100%
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Table 4: Frequency of Conflicts, Thefts and Aggression in the Neighborhood
NumberValid
Percent
Cumulative
Percent
Frequency of Conflicts
Always
OftenSeldom
Never
40
10554
31
17,4%
45,6%23,5%
13,5%
17,4%
63%86,5%
100%
Cause of conflicts
Children
Other
124
75
62,3%
37,7%
62,3%
100%
Rate of thefts or aggression in the neighborhood :
High
Average
low
very low
40
95
50
45
17,4
41,3%
21,7%
19,6%
17,4%
58,7%
80,4
100%
Do you thing that offenders are from the neighborhood
Yes
No
71
114
38,4%
61,6%
38,4%
100%
Form of Appropriations of Outdoor Spaces
The inhabitants of first floors are more likely to garden and engage in yard work, because these spaces are located
close to their flats. Outdoor space is regarded in this case as a natural extension of interior. In most of the case, gardens are
discerned like exclusive properties this is observed through the use of iron wire fencing in order to prevent any kind of
intrusion in these spaces and to limit its use to only residents.
Nevertheless, gardening remains an isolated action, it is not only limited to nearby outdoor spaces, but not all the
residents of first floors are engaged in such activity. In spite of the presence of the gardens, unfortunately many yards are
organized badly and little kept, they are not carved and tidy, they sometimes turn into a support of garbage, of rubbish, of
all sorts
Photo 2: Gardens Organized Badly and Little Kept
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Social Interacton in Communal Outdoor Spaces of Residential Housing Estates in Biskra-Algeria 55
Comparison of Use and Interaction in Three Variety of Arrangement of Common Outdoor Spaces within Cite Des
1000 Logts
In order to better understand how different types of layout and their arrangement influence resident to gather and
interact around the blocks we distinguished three varieties of configurations of common spaces inside the study area and
we tried to compare the use and social interaction in the three types of communal outdoor spaces.
The cite of 1000 logts was composed of various forms of arrangements of blocks: blocks in I, Blocks in L,
blocks in U and blocks in H. All the blocks are organized around a big central space designed to be parkland or
playgrounds but currently these spaces are practically empty. For the purpose of the study, spaces between blocks have
been categorized into three groups in term of their degree of closing:
High degree of closing : Resulting from arrangements of blocks in U facing blocks in L Average degree of closing: Resulting from arrangements of a block in I with two linear blocks Low degree of closing: Resulting from arrangements of blocks in H organized in linear gradations.
Blocks in U Facing Blocks
in L
Because of the inexistence of any physical or symbolic
barriers to demarcate the arrangement of blocs in L and in U,
common spaces that result of such disposition lost their sense
of closeness. The absence of greenery and furniture increase
this sense of openness.
Block in I with Two Linear
Blocks
There is no connection between the block in I with the two
linear blocs. The space between blocks that results lack the
necessary degree of closing to insinuate to the intruders that it
is reserved to a residential use. In addition spatial proportion
of the space formed between blocs is not convenient , the
space seems too large and empty
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56 Naceur Farida
Blocks in H Linear
Gradations
The space around blocs that result of such arrangement is
ambiguous and not clearly identified
Figure 3: Comparison of the Three Configurations of Common Outdoor Spaces inside the Study Area
The observations didn't show differences of use between the three types of outdoor spaces. There was not any
sensitive difference in the degree of use or social interactions between the three variety of arrangement of outdoor
communal spaces The degree of use and social interaction was reduced wathever was the arrangement of the space.
There was not any difference in the appropriation of the outdoor spaces between the different configurations of
spaces between blocks. Gardens were limited to the nearest spaces to blocks in the three varieties of arrangements.
CONCLUSIONS
Measure of social interactions shows a high degree of acquaintance in the study area although social relations
were moderate in the neighborhood. Degree of social interaction was rather higher than predicted. However results of
observation and interviews showed a very low rate of use of the outdoor spaces which demonstrate that outdoor space in
Cit des 1000 Logts is not the catalyst of neighborly interaction.
The observation of the degree of use in the various configurations of outdoor communal spaces within the study
area showed that rate of social interaction was reduced whatever is the arrangement of the space. The main hypothesis of
the present study that layout of cit des 1000 logts doesnt support lively interaction among the inhabitants is clearly
confirmed
Findings showed that the high degree of openness of the study area discouraged all form of use and reduced it to
a transit area. The blocks were not arranged appropriately to form small neighborhood grouping. the spaces between blocks
that result lack the necessary degree of closing to insinuate to the intruders that it is reserved to a residential use. There was
no strong sense of enclosure that can define the communal space and mark clearly its boundaries.
The multiple access to the cit des1000 logts reinforce its degree of openness and the ambiguity around its
status. Residential outdoor spaces supposed to be an extension of living space and part of the home turned into public areas
for transit. In addition to its influence on the daily life of the inhabitants, lack of planning and furniture, greenery
made the large spaces between blocks seem larger and more open.
The results were in accordance with finding of previous researches that bad qualities and attributes of the
communal space may not attract residents to spend some time, to stay ,or even to interact with neighbors. Outdoor spaces
were usually unused because they are unpleasant and there was nothing to do there. This became more serious during the
summery season because of the lack of shaded places to seat.
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Social Interacton in Communal Outdoor Spaces of Residential Housing Estates in Biskra-Algeria 57
Results confirmed the relationship between mixed land uses and social interaction. Inadequate facilities inserted
into the neighborhood did not succeed to make it livable. Administrative amenities set in the neighborhood transformed it
into a space opened to all and browsed by various flux of users, which in turn discouraged any kind of use by the
occupants. Shopping facilities were insufficient and not appropriately designated to provide residents a shopping
experience while enjoying space, gathering with others .their impact on urban life and social interaction was reduced
Findings revealed that a majority of people living in cite des 1000 logts share a great number of socio-economic
conditions. The y were average educated and represent middle-class socioeconomic levels. They are relatively a
homogeneous population. this could explain the extensive networks of interactions in the neighborhood. As mentioned in
the theoretical framework, socio-demographic characteristics naturally influence residents' living style and their ways of
using open spaces and the patterns of social interactions.
Children who were expected to reinforce the ties between residents were a source of disturbance and conflicts in
the neighborhood. Because of the lack of adequate playground areas, many parents were not encouraged to accompany the
children outdoors and supervise them at play and in turn socialize with others. Because of their high rate of inoccupation,
women were supposed to be more involved in the neighborhood. However according to our observations their use of
outdoor space is restricted.
Because of its layout, the bad quality of its outdoor spaces cit des 1000 logts could not afford to its residents a
living residential environment which can be employed by its inhabitants for the enhancement of social interaction. These
result are in accordance with the hypothesis that the layout of buildings in residential neighborhoods, the arrangement and
the quality of common outdoor space have profound effects upon the use of the area and social interaction
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