Crowding and Density

Crowding - Density Density -Objective measure -The number of people per area Crowding -Subjective feeling -Person’s experience of the number of people per area

Social density - Spatial density Consider a room of 30 students. To double density we could add 30 more students; or, half the size of the room. Social density -When the number of people in a fixed space is varied Spatial density -When the space is varied for a fixed number of people

Inside density - Outside density Density inside and outside a building can be dramatically different. Consider a one room apartment. In one building, there are 8 people; in another there are 4 people in two apartments, yet the density per block is constant. Indoor density -Ratio of people to space inside buildings Outside density -Ratio of people to space outside building

Density - proximity - Crowding Indoor and Outdoor density is often a function of the proximity of others. Crowding is more related to the number and nearness of others in such a cluster; and not to area-based measures

Components of Crowding Crowding is based on some situational antecedent -Too many people approach too close -Person’s goal is blocked -Resources are overcome by demand Crowding implies emotion or affect – usually……?? Crowding will produce a behavioural response - Flight, fight, avoidance, withdrawal,……..??

Crowding experience Situation modes. People feel -Behaviour is constrained -Interfered with physically -Presence of others causes discomfort -Expectations have not been met. Affective modes include: -Negative, or positive, reactions to others -Negative, or positive, reactions to situations Behaviour modes include: -Assertiveness (protesting) -Activity completion (let’s finish and get out of here) -Psychological withdrawal (tune-out the crowd) -Immediate physical withdrawal (I’m out-of-here!) -Adaptation (let’s make the best of the situation)

Influences on Crowding Personal Influences -Personality and attitude -Psychiatric status -Preferences and norms -Experience -Gender

Social Influences -Presence and behaviour of others -Coalition formation -Interpersonal familiarity -Provision of information

Physical Influences -Scale -Architectural variations -Place variations -Temperature

Living in high density residential spaces -Encourage more psychological distance between individuals -Allow more times and places for escape -Develop strong norms about what may be said to whom -Restrict who may go where within the ‘home’ and how each space within the home is to be used -Discourage social interactions with acquaintances inside the home; encourage it in public places -Learn to appreciate higher levels of social stimulation.

Model of Crowding Physical setting Perception of spatial adequacy Congruence uncrowded Behavioural and Intrapsychic Adaptation Mediating factors Incongruence Crowded or Under- crowded Personal factorsSocial setting Physiological and Psychological Stress

Crowding and Space Design How do we lessen the perception of crowding (How do we reduce sensory overload) in: -Residences -Offices -Prisons -Wilderness Areas (hiking trails, camping, Mt. Everest)

Applications to your place Take the concepts from crowding and density and apply to the space you are designing. Consider: -Social and spatial density -Personal, physical and social influences on crowding