I Indoor ndoor and and Built uilt Environment Special Issue – Ageing Community The association of spatial configuration with social network for elderly in social housing Joo Young Kim and Young Ook Kim Abstract This study aimed to investigate the association of spatial configuration with social interaction for elderly. A social housing in Seoul was selected for the case study. Using space syntax and social network analysis, the association was examined statistically. This research employed an integration indicator which is most closely related to space use pattern. Questionnaire and interview surveys were conducted to illustrate the pattern of social network. Using the collected data, NetMiner was utilized to conduct a quantitative analysis. Degree, closeness and betweenness indicators were employed to measure rela- tionships in these networks and between individuals. The characteristics of the association established by the statistical analysis between spatial network of housing estate and social network of elderly were discussed. Our results show that spatial network properties can explain characteristics of social network. The accessibility of residential spaces for elderly individuals in social housing apartment complex has an effect on the strength of the social network with neighbours. Also, analysis of the spatial configuration accessibility for the elderly population with integration values has illustrated that the result was opposite to the general theory that ‘the locations with high accessibility could foster more interactions’. Our findings have suggested that we can have a better knowledge to foster more social network among elderly by planning improved spatial network. Keywords Spatial configuration, Social network, Spatial network, Social housing, Elderly, Social interaction, Accessibility Accepted: 24 August 2017 Introduction The relationship between the built environment and social network of its residents has been the focus in many studies. According to studies, the built environ- ment has been found to have an effect on social net- work phenomena, including interaction, social activities and psychological behaviour among residents. 1 After examining social phenomenon within a built environ- ment setting, Francescato et al. 2 argued that the built environment could affect people’s social network and behaviours. Hillier et al. 3 examined the relationship between the spatial layout and space usage and pre- sented the finding that spatial configuration has a significant impact on pattern of space use. Spatial con- figuration of the built environment is defined as a set of spatial relations that exist between its objects (i.e. buildings and open spaces). 4 Hillier and Hanson 5 devel- oped ‘space syntax’ to describe the set of spatial rela- tions using spatial network analysis. A primary effect of spatial configuration on social function illustrated that space patterns could determine pedestrian movement patterns. 6 Wineman et al. 7 also pointed out that spatial configuration could affect the level of interaction between people in a workplace environment, which in turn enhances social network of users of that place. Department of Architecture, Sejong University, Seoul, Republic of Korea Corresponding author: Young Ook Kim, Sejong University, 98 Kunjadong Gwangjin- gu, Seoul 05006, Republic of Korea Email:yokim@sejong.ac.kr Indoor and Built Environment 0(0) 1–12 ! The Author(s) 2017 Reprints and permissions: sagepub.co.uk/ journalsPermissions.nav DOI: 10.1177/1420326X17732612 journals.sagepub.com/home/ibe