Research Project Proposal

Hypothesis

Architecture is a force to control human behavior, with appropriate planning it formulate users to perform in a definite way, consciously or unconsciously. Believing architecture could then also be able to eliminate the negative performances such as crimes, strangeness and pressure, if not for a personal gain, encourages conversations, interactions and positivity in the 'contemporary' society.

Aim & Objective

• To study and understand the positive and negative influence stimulated by contemporary architecture and public spaces towards human behavior
• To investigate whether the root of urban social issues in induced by mis-conceptual of architectural planning
• To find out method and solutions towards the issues, if exist, in terms of architecture, to ease and resolves the critical relationship among the current social community
• To examine the role of public architecture as a catalyst, in strengthening the bond of human relationship as a community.

Rationale

Today's society has successfully grown to diversity in terms of developments and technologies, however, there's something that gone to reverse growth -- the relationship among peoples, and their living. Have we communicate less? Are we being passive in interacting with others in public? Are people in today's society more self-centered? In the end, what is the future of the development if the non-living (architecture technology) is being fast-growing, but the beauty of the relationship among people varnishes?

Architecture has made up a big part of our lives, whether of the space, planning of town, or the environment, we don’t live any moment without being in the world of architecture. We made space, and then space made us. By any means, architecture could possibly be the remedy to the issues, providing us a more genial social community in the future.

Research Report Outline

Introduction/ Abstract

Mix-Development has been highly populated in our generation, the culture of integrated usage practices wasn't born today, it has rooted within the community of people since historical age, and it's influences is believed to uphold till many future generations. The evolving civilization of mix-developments has transform people's living in many ways, from improving lifestyle quality to misdirection leading, it's influence and social responsibility is crucial in ameliorating the community of people.

Research will be carry out in 2 phases:

• Understanding the relationship between people and architecture, to determine the core of social issues -- mentality, behavior and practice of people living in the mix-developed city.
• With architectural approach, study and determine solutions to encounter the issues, in order to eliminate the negative social practices -- that limits interactions, and promote the importance of social ties among people in the city.

Chapter 1: From Psychology to Sociology -- Understanding of Social Community

• An overview of people living in the city today. Resonate with the findings that social isolation and self-centeredness are becoming social norms in public community.
• Does self-protection awareness heighten being in public spaces? Whether of public observability, sense of crisis, social influence, or of the virtual instruction by surrounding environment?

Following chapters to be written with strategies to tackle the issues mentioned:

Promotes Openness 

• In terms of cities planning and form of spaces
• Instilled mentality and reflects towards community practices

Encourages Curiosity

• Open up platforms for conversations and responses
• Create opportunity and possibilities

Improves Accessibility

• In terms of public amenities and facilities
• Encourages architecture as infrastructure for socialization

Elimination of Uncertainty and Fear

• Spaces should reflect the purpose and culture of the neighborhood
• Social Bond Theory: Instillation values of attachment, commitment, involvement and beliefs (in promoting the sense of community and weakens the tendency of criminal actions) 

Conclusion: Reconstructing City for the People --- Towards a Genial Society