Assessing the social and physical walkability of interior public places: the uses of para-public spaces as third spaces by people with disabilities

摘要

This paper presents the results of a study examining the social and physical walkability of a commercial mall that acts as an accessible space where people congregate, and where positive and negative social relations occur spontaneously. In the context of this study, walkability is understood through the lens of the idea of para-public places, and how such spaces generate social activities. The mall is contextualised through Ray Oldenburg's idea of third places. This exploratory study was conducted in a recently renovated mall, Alexis Nihon, where researchers had previously completed projects within the context of a Living Lab (RehabMALL).