Meta-analysis of environmental vitality factors in open spaces

Open spaces play a vital role in enhancement of the quality of any environment or space. Human biological conditions can be improved through an increase in the quality of space, which can be achieved when individuals’ everyday psychological needs as well as the functional, environmental, and aesthetic aspects are considered. Therefore, environmental vitality can be regarded as an integral part of a desirable architecture that seeks to convey a sense of vitality to the audience. The present paper sought to explore the theoretical domain of the research conducted in the area of vitality through meta-analysis of environmental vitality factors. The research population consisted of forty articles (twenty domestic and twenty foreign papers) published during the 2008-2018 period. The data were collected from the articles based on the Prisma protocol, which had been adapted by experts. A systematic review method was used for data collection, meta-analysis was employed for data analysis, along with the funnel, linear regression, distribution error, and heterogeneity Q test methods, and the data extracted from the review were evaluated using CMA2. Linear regression and multivariate regression were then used to investigate the relationship between every two independent variables and their relationship with the dependent variable, environmental vitality. The findings of the study were addressed from two aspects. From the structural analysis aspect, the general characteristics of the articles were studied in terms of vitality. From the content analysis aspect, the most important assumptions of meta-analysis (the homogeneity of the studies and consistency among them) were examined. The findings of the research demonstrated that there were positive, direct relationships between the effects of the independent variables on vitality and between vitality and the independent variables. This means that vitality increases as the independent variables rise. The theoretical foundations of the field have not yet reached the depth and breadth required for research, which needs greater organization. The research topics, theoretical frameworks, and theoretical achievements should be subjected to methodological revision to gain scientific accuracy, which is also dependent on research, including studies that involve meta-analysis. The best efforts to conduct such research should reduce the drawbacks. Some of the weaknesses in previous studies can be noted on that basis. More than half of the research performed in the field (60%) was evaluated as based on moderate and weak theoretical foundations. This could be accounted for in terms of the failure to utilize up-to-date, firsthand resources, to provide high levels of consistency, and to adapt the structures of the materials presented in the theoretical foundations to meet the main purposes of the papers. This could be attributed to the weakness of the theoretical foundations of the research. A total of 49 variables were extracted after the theoretical foundations were examined and analyzed. Furthermore, the variables of safety and security exhibited the greatest impacts on environmental vitality, and social participation and social interaction were found to be the most effective. Conversely, building shape exhibited the least effect on environmental vitality, and the effects of the other variables were found to be almost constant. Thus, the above design recommendations and planning criteria can lead to high quality in an urban open space in terms of communication, vitality, diversity, and appearance.