A Statistical Analysis in Approaching Public Life in Urban Squares. The Case Study of Athens

Charalampos Kyriakidis, Filippos Iliadis, Efthimios Bakogiannis and Angelos Siolas
National Technical University of Athens

Abstract

Fifty years after the initial researches concerning the way public spaces function, more and more projects are taking place. Through these researches, social activities were perceived as a means of understanding how successful public spaces are. For many years, this topic was an objective of qualitative research. Indeed, qualitative methods were applied in order for data to be collected as well as to be analyzed. Quantitative information was used mainly in terms of descriptive statics. No special interest was manifested about a bit deeper statistical analysis, like regression analysis in order for more specific conclusions to be drawn. This paper attempts to apply a binary logistic regression model in order to study potential effects of design qualities in the way people express themselves in public squares. Findings are useful in order for a good-practices design guide to be developed. The results prove that this methodology may be a satisfying one in order for hidden correlations among various factors to be identified. This means that through such an analysis, understanding of deeper motives or parameters affecting presence of people in public spaces can be found.

Presentation