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Public space is the domain of interest for urban designers, and streets represent one of its most significant forms. In multicultural societies, public space users come from diverse social and ethnic backgrounds with varying interests and needs. Therefore, streets should serve as inclusive spaces designed for use by a wide-ranging public. While streets are inherently public, the questions regarding the extent of their publicness and their role in promoting multiculturalism remain significant. This paper aims to evaluate and compare the degree of "publicness" exhibited by streets situated within ethnically diverse neighbourhoods. Drawing upon dimensions of publicness established by previous models and informed by observations and interviews, a set of criteria has been selected. The core dimensions of publicness encompass accessibility, management, and inclusiveness. The study assesses and compares three streets located in diverse neighbourhoods across New Zealand based on these criteria. The findings illuminate varying levels of publicness within the studied streets, providing insights into the key factors that impact the promotion of multiculturalism in urban settings. The results indicate that the publicness of a multicultural street is significantly influenced by the types of businesses clustered in the area, their associated characteristics, and the overall design of the built environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Streets form a significant part of open public space in cities and are known as important representatives of urban public spaces. The street has been one of the most important public spaces in the history of Eastern and Western culture. However, there is currently a relatively deep gap between the meaning and function of the street between East and West. The difference in function and meaning has led to distinctive urban landscapes between East and West. This study examines the differences in the streetscape in terms of semantic-perceptual and functional-activity and aesthetic aspects (non-physical elements of architecture including semi-fixed and moving elements) in the street in the East (Southeast Asia) and West (North America, Europe and Oceania). The research method is qualitative (based on reviewing the literature and the author's observations). Findings show that although streetscape is known both as an objective and subjective phenomenon, streetscape in the East and West are different in terms of how they are perceived and their objective and subjective aspects. It can be concluded that the biggest difference between the street in the West and the East lies in the social structure of the space and the use and subjective meaning of the street, which is created by the adaptive nature of the street. The extent of adaptation is defined by the type of power shaping the street (whether the government and municipalities or the community), street management and how laws are implemented. There are obvious differences between streetscape in the East and West in terms of semantic, functional, and aesthetic aspects. They differ from each other in features such as the variety of activities, order, boundary between public and private space, time patterns of activities, the use of different human senses, and how the space is adaptable and flexible to those mentioned features. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Problem statement: In the evolution of higher education complexes, there has always been a combination of indoor and outdoor spaces, and many examples of this can be seen in Iran, European, American and Asian countries. Research shows that college campuses have a significant impact on creating quality educational environments and can help create a sense of attachment to higher education institutions. However, the design of university campuses in Iran is often based on predetermined designs without considering the behaviors and needs of users of such spaces. Identifying and evaluating students’ needs and desires and the reasons for their use / non-use of academic spaces can help create meaningful spaces. Research objective: This study attempts to revise the design of university campuses based on behavioral studies. The case study is the campus of Babol Noshirvani University of Technology. The purpose of this study is to identify the factors that influence campus design and strategic management of the campus in a way that impacts students’ use of campus spaces (Noshirvani University of Technology) and increase their desirability for static and social activities. Research method: The selected methodology is qualitative and based on observations and perceptions of behaviors and interviews with students. Conclusion: The results show that the maximum activity occurs in the green spaces and paths between faculties. Quiet spaces are more desirable for activities such as study and concentration. Considering the locations where furniture is installed and designing different types of furniture based on student activities and the climate can increase the desirability and effective use of students in campus open spaces. In this regard, paying attention to the design of the edges can play an effective role in university campuses located in dense urban spaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]