Human cognition and emotions for human-centred design in vertical interior urban spaces

Figures & data

Figure 1. The chronological development flows compare HCI in computer science and HCI in human centre design. Source: Drawn by the authors, 2023.

Figure 2. The generic human centred UX design framework for AI technologies (with permission of Zhou and Yu 2023).

Figure 3. Correlation analysis between spatial cognition and six emotions using pretrained AI and generative AI (source: Authors 2023).

Figure 4. Assessment framework with 9 parameters and 4 variations (source: Authors 2023).

Table 1. Detailed explanation of the criteria of variations of different parameters (source: Authors 2023).

			Explanation of Incremental Variations of Each Parameter
Item	Parameter	General Definition	20%	40%	60%	80%
1	Greenery	Each increase in variation level denotes an increase in the quantity, size and type of plants in the given space.	There could be a few green pots in the space.	Some grasses and herbs can be added to the ground.	Shrubs and colourful flowers are added.	Climbing plants and trees are added.
2	Accessibility	Each increase in variation level denotes a higher level of physical legibility for people to easily understand and navigate through the given space.	Tactile paving is added; at 40%, entrance/exit signages are installed.	Entrance/exit signages are installed.	Floor information signages and wayfinding kiosks are installed.	A reception desk or information counter is added.
3	Walkability	Each increase in variation level denotes a greater extent to which people can move around in the given space, including vertical accessibility and horizontal accessibility, which means the frequency of doors and lifts’ accessibility.	Walls are placed to block people’s path and line of sight, leaving only one or two directions for passage.	A half of the walls are reduced, exposing more doors, escalators and lifts for people to pass through.	The walls are further reduced, creating more open space for people to walk.	The space is left as it is now, or further reduced with all non-essential physical obstacles blocking people’s paths.
4	Permeability	Each increase in variation level denotes higher visibility, and greater openness of the given space.	Retail facilities are densely arranged on both sides of the corridor, leaving a very narrow space for circulation in between.	The corridor is widened to increase circulation space.	The corridor is further widened, and the central void is increased.	A large open space is introduced with minimal visual obstructions.
5	Diversity	Each increase in variation level denotes enhanced richness of potential experiences in the given space. This includes a greater variety and number of facilities or functions that cater to different age groups and social identities, such as spaces specifically designed for children, women, the elderly, various minority groups and the likes. This also entails a broad range of amenities provided, including but not limited to exhibitions, sports areas, pet zones and art installations.	Different amenities and spaces for different groups are introduced without any prescribed sequence for the inclusion of new diversity elements.
6	Economic Catchment	Each increase in variation level denotes a higher appearance of facilities that promote personal consumption in the given space, which may include restaurants, shops, small vendors, event spaces, clinics, gyms, kids’ play areas, and cinemas, among others.	Different spaces of consumption are introduced without any prescribed sequence for new inclusions, although high-end and large venues typically emerge at or after 60%.
7	Safety	Each increase in variation level denotes a higher attention to the removal of physical hazards in the given space, involving passive prevention of slips, trips and falls.	The floor is wet and slippery, and the coating is overly reflective and causes occasional glares. The humps on the floor also pose additional risk; further, the handrail is absent on the staircase.	The floor is dry but remains slippery with humps, and handrail is still absent on the staircase.	The floor is dry but remains slippery with humps, but handrails have been installed at the staircase.	The floor is now even and has been re-paved with anti-skid materials; Additionally, fences and extra handrails are installed where necessary.
8	Light	Each increase in variation level denotes a rise in indoor light levels in the given space, subject to variations in both artificial and natural lighting.	Natural lighting is feeble, resembling dawn, while artificial lighting is off.	Natural lighting is similar to an overcast morning, with some partial artificial lighting if available.	Natural lighting is close to full daylight and artificial lighting is partially turned on with some increases from the previous 40%.	The interior space is fully illuminated with direct sunlight, and all artificial lights are turned on.
9	Cultural Identity/Aesthetics	Each increase in variation level denotes a more comprehensive incorporation of elements that reflect the local culture, aesthetics and traditions in the given space. They can help resonate with people by evoking the distinctive cultural traits and identity, thus enhance the sense of belonging of specific groups of people.	Different cultural elements are added, and there is no prescribed sequence for new additions, but typically, they are not intended to replace those from the previous level. Instead, they enhance the cumulative impact of all the present cultural elements as a cohesive whole.

Figure 5. Participants watching simulations with EEG and VR headsets attached (source: Authors 2023).

Figure 6. A sample of preliminary EEG data processing (source: Authors 2023).

Figure 7. Dataset classification (source: Authors 2023).

Figure 8. A summary of ML process in EEG data analysis (source: Authors 2023).

Figure 9. Building up correlation index using overlapping values for the taxonomy (source: Authors 2023).

Table 2. Findings of emotional connections of spatial and environmental conditions within multi-layered interior public realms and public spaces (source: Authors 2023).

Key Element.	Location and Context	Spatial and Environmental Conditions	Influence on Emotions
1	Lower level and within the lower level of interior commercial public space	A moderate percentage of greenery between 20–40%	Can create a higher emotional response and cognitive reaction
2	Elevators and pathways	An increase in the frequency of the appearance of walkability options	Can result in increased positive spatial cognition
3	Commercial and public transportation entranceways	An increase in walkability levels and decrease in diversity levels	Walkability between 40% to 60% can increase positive cognition, while the diversity over 60% can cause negative emotions
4	Lower floor levels	Below 20% of permeability	Can create excitement and an increased cognition
5	Vertically and horizontally linked walkable and accessible areas	Less width and clearly legible access routes with a clear signage and wayfinding system	Can increase positive cognition, and negative emotions can arise from too much width
6	Interior public space	An overall increase in permeability and legibility	Can result in a stronger spatial cognition
7	Transitional spaces such as escalators, stairs, lift cars and bridge	Contrasting dark and light colour combinations, an increase in brightness levels and shaded areas	Can produce a positive cognition
8	Within routes for vertical accessibility	An increase in greenery	Can create excitement and increased cognition
9	Within routes and spaces for vertical accessibility including escalators and lifts	Moderate sounds and greenery, and natural lighting below 40%	Can increase spatial cognition
10	Images and installations with a cultural reference and aesthetic	With their presence	Can produce a response in both sensory processing and spatial cognition

Zhou, Z., and J. Yu. April 23, 2023. “Adapt a Generic Human-Centered AI Design Framework in Children’s Context.” In CHI 2023 Workshop on Child-centred AI Design: Definition, Operation and Considerations. Hamburg, Germany. New York, NY: ACM. ArXiv Abs/2304.01232.

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