Civil Engineering and Architecture 11(2): 948-985, 2023 http://www.hrpub.org
DOI: 10.13189/cea.2023.110231
Constructing an Analytical-based Model for User
Satisfaction towards Under Bridge Spaces within the
Egyptian Urban Fabric
Y. Sarhan
1,*
, H. Elfouly
2
1
Department of Building Technology, Architecture and Urban Design Program, German University in Cairo (GUC), Egypt
2
Department of Urban Design, Faculty of Urban and Regional Planning, Cairo University, Egypt
Received October 25, 2022; Revised December 28, 2022; Accepted January 10, 2023
Cite This Paper in the Following Citation Styles
(a): [1] Y. Sarhan, H. Elfouly , "Constructing an Analytical-based Model for User Satisfaction towards Under Bridge
Spaces within the Egyptian Urban Fabric," Civil Engineering and Architecture, Vol. 11, No. 2, pp. 948 - 985, 2023.
DOI: 10.13189/cea.2023.110231.
(b): Y. Sarhan, H. Elfouly (2023). Constructing an Analytical-based Model for User Satisfaction towards Under Bridge
Spaces within the Egyptian Urban Fabric. Civil Engineering and Architecture, 11(2), 948 - 985. DOI:
10.13189/cea.2023.110231.
Copyright©2023 by authors, all rights reserved. Authors agree that this article remains permanently open access under the
terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0 International License
Abstract A successful Public space has been
addressed mainly by functional performance, accessibility,
comfort, safety, pleasure, and meaning; the five physical
attributes constructing the public space index, which was
associated with vitality and user satisfaction. Under-bridge
public spaces, although they are a booming essential topic
in the shadow of the massive bridge construction inserted
in the Egyptian urban fabric, they are not well investigated
concerning user satisfaction nor the new developed
physical setting. Only limited literature highlighted that the
“Accessibility” attribute should be considered.
Considering under-bridge spaces as a case-specific public
space with potential, yet not reflecting the general norms of
public space, this paper aims to study user satisfaction
towards such spaces. Firstly, a theory-based model has
been developed for user satisfaction towards public spaces,
exploring the significance of the above mentioned physical
attributes. Secondly, adopting a case-study approach, the
physical attributes of the theory-based model have been
assessed in Heliopolis, a district that recently received a
massive under-bridge construction in Egypt, where those
attributes have been measured quantitatively (using GIS)
and qualitatively (using the developed Public space index
and adopting a structural equation model using SPSS &
Smart SPLS); to ultimately construct an analytical-based
model for assessing the significance of the physical
attributes responsible for the user satisfaction of such
specific spaces. Results show the misfit between the
theory-based model and the induced “analytical-based
model of under-bridge spaces”, where “Accessibility” and
“Functionality” attributes were relatively insignificant,
while the most related attribute to under-bridge user
satisfaction was “Safety,” followed by “Comfort”; then
“Pleasure” and “Meaning,” a key factor to be considered
while developing under-bridges public spaces.
Keywords Under-bridge Spaces, Leftover Public
Spaces, Public Space Index, Public Space Vitality, User
Satisfaction Level, Public Space Physical Attributes
1. Introduction
Given the rapid population growth, increased number of
car-oriented users, the continuous expansion of new cities,
and the enlargement of the urban development mega
projects, Egypt has witnessed a remarkable infrastructural
development, resulting in the construction of a vast number
of bridges in the urban fabric [1]. Reaching 2792 bridges,
according to CAPMAS [2], has resulted in the generation
of multiple under-bridge spaces, which have been
considered an essential issue to be resolved [3].
Consequently, Egypt authorities have started to develop
community spaces under the newly constructed bridges as
mentioned in the Strategic Urban Development Plan for the