Cite this article
Ouari, M., Bouchair, A. (2025) ‘Urban form and Psychological Sense of Community: The role of inter-mediate spaces in collective housing in Jijel, Algeria’, Architecture Papers of the Faculty of Architecture and Design STU, 30(1), pp. 44-53. https://www.doi.org/10.2478/alfa-2025-0005
SUMMARY
The emotional bond and sense of belonging that people feel in their living space or larger community is known as psychological sense of community, or PSC. Previous studies have identified a number of characteristics that influence PSC, including length of residency, variety of activities within neighbourhoods, and general residential environment quality. These factors are known to play an important role in promoting feelings of social support, belonging, and cohesion. However, despite the established importance of these elements, there has been limited exploration of how urban form—particularly the layout of urban spaces—influences social interaction and PSC, especially in collective housing contexts where communal living and shared spaces are central.
With its common layouts and shared areas, collective housing provides a crucial backdrop for examining this relationship. In particular, less is known about the function of transitional spaces, such courtyards, pathways, and common areas that lie between private and public places. These areas are critical for promoting social interaction since they give locals a chance to get together, meet, talk, and do things together. They are therefore thought to play a role in the development of PSC. This study aims to address this gap by investigating how urban form influences social interaction and PSC in six distinct collective housing areas in Jijel, Algeria. The central hypothesis is that the physical layout of the housing area, particularly the organisation and quality of shared spaces, has a significant impact on the frequency and quality of social interactions, which in turn strengthen residents’ sense of community.
Data was gathered from 400 residents in six Jijel communal housing zones that were chosen for their diverse common space layouts and designs. The availability and calibre of common areas including courtyards, sidewalks, and gathering places vary among these locations. With a primary focus on statistical analysis, the study combined qualitative and quantitative methodologies. Using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), the study examined how variations in housing layouts influenced residents’ perceptions of their sense of community and their behavioural control, a key component of PSC. The analysis also considered other factors such as the length of residency and the level of functional diversity within the area, to provide a comprehensive understanding of the variables at play.
The findings showed that inhabitants’ opinions of their sense of community and behavioural control varied significantly based on how their housing area was designed. People who lived in neighbourhoods with well-planned, open, and easily accessible common areas—like courtyards and walkways—reported feeling more connected to the community and having more control over their conduct. Residents saw each other more frequently and meaningfully as a result of the increased social contact chances these areas offered. In contrast, areas with more closed, fragmented layouts, and fewer communal spaces were associated with weaker perceptions of community and less social engagement. The findings indicate that the physical layout of the housing environment—particularly the presence and quality of intermediate spaces—plays a crucial role in promoting social interactions, which are vital for fostering a sense of community.
The quality of shared spaces was shown to be the most important factor in determining social interactions, however the length of residency and the variety of functions within the neighbourhood also had an impact on people’s sense of community. These findings illustrate how crucial urban planning is for promoting social cohesiveness and community well-being, emphasising how thoughtfully planned common spaces may greatly improve the psychological and emotional ties that locals have with their neighbours.
These results have significant ramifications for housing design and urban planning. The study shows that promoting social interaction and improving PSC are greatly aided by the layout of communal living spaces, especially the quality and accessibility of common areas. Architects, urban planners, and housing developers are encouraged to consider the social implications of spatial design when designing new housing developments. Cities may enhance people’s mental and emotional health in addition to the physical housing infrastructure by establishing settings that encourage social interactions. This implies that the establishment of open, easily accessible, and well-kept common areas that encourage contact and foster a feeling of community should be given top priority by urban planners.
The study also highlights how intermediate spaces, which are located between the public and private spheres, can strengthen social ties. These areas serve as transitional areas where locals can interact with one another, preserve common assets, and feel included. The study promotes urban plans that give priority to these kinds of areas, especially in situations including shared housing where socialising possibilities are more common.
Cities may develop spaces that not only satisfy the practical requirements of their citizens but also promote a stronger sense of community and support amongst them by using a holistic approach to urban design. Well-planned common areas help create more cohesive, stronger communities where people feel more a part of the community and social interactions flourish. According to the study, in order to establish resilient, supportive communities where citizens may form deep social relationships, cities should include community-building ideas into their planning processes. The study lays the groundwork for future investigations into the ways that spatial design affects social dynamics, especially in situations involving collective living where there is a significant possibility for community development.
In the end, this study emphasises how urban design has the ability to influence the standard of living in urban settings. Architects and urban planners can contribute to the development of more cohesive, resilient communities that promote well-being and cohesion among inhabitants by emphasising social interaction and the design of areas that promote involvement.