International Journal of Environment, Ecology, Family and Urban Studies (IJEEFUS) ISSN 2250-0065 Vol.

3, Issue 1, Mar 2013, 45-58 TJPRC Pvt. Ltd.

SOCIAL INTERACTION IN COMMUNAL OUTDOOR SPACES OF RESIDENTIAL HOUSING ESTATES IN BISKRA-ALGERIA

NACEUR FARIDA Department of Architecture, University of Batna, Algeria

ABSTRACT
This study tends to examine the relationship between the communal outdoor space design in a residential housing estate and the residents social interaction. For the purpose of our study we chose a housing project situated in a Z.H.U.N of Biskra, a middle city in the south of Algeria, namely Cit des 1000Logts. The study is based upon observations of the ways in which the residents use their neighborhood spaces. Observations are supplemented by interviews with the residents, about the perceived adequacy of these spaces for social interaction. Findings showed that the high degree of openness of la cite des 1000 logts and the bad quality of its communal outdoor spaces discouraged all form of use and reduced it to a transit area. These results revealed that the layout of buildings, the arrangement and the quality of common outdoor spaces in residential neighborhoods have profound effects upon the use of the area and social interaction among residents.

KEYWORDS: Communal Outdoor Space, Social Interaction, Design Layout, Housing Estates INTRODUCTION
In Algeria, the fast population growth in the past 50 years has resulted in rapid urbanization all over the country. Algerian cities experienced continuous population growth because of migration from rural areas and natural growth of urban population and thus are faced with the problem of rapid housing production. Unfortunately, there was no governmental housing policy to face this galloping growth. Government involvement in public housing did not come about until the 1974. To deal with housing shortage, Z.H.U.N (Zone dhabitat urbaine nouvelle), great public housing projects funded by the Algerian government were launched throughout the country. This international model of housing, based on the process of prefabrication and standardization was intended to provide Algerian urban population with modern, decent and affordable housing. Most of the Z.H.U.N have been built on peripheral extensions and conceived in blocks of apartments arranged freely on vast open spaces. Initially, it was foreseen to endow them with all necessary facilities in order to satisfy the needs of the residents. Nevertheless, they remained incomplete, badly finished and deprived from all facilities for many years. The question of whether this model of housing leads to more anonymity has been an issue of concern to many social psychologists and environmental designers. Researches revealed the negative effects of such living environments which tend to be unfavorable to social relationship. (Lobout ,1968; Kaminski,1978; Keane, 1991; Coleman,1999) Common areas between the houses are important features that afford social activities in neighborhoods. Nevertheless, much of urban research seems to indicate that the decline of social life in housing estates is closely related to the design of their communal outdoor spaces. It is the spatial arrangement of the blocks that have been found to reduce the chance of social interaction among residents and influence the activity pattern. (Chombart de Lawe, 1952; Abu-Ghazzeh, 1999).

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As in the other countries, many Z.H.U.N in Algeria encountered increasing problems. A research in Batna, a middle city in East of Algeria revealed that the Z.H.U.N became an anonymous space in which the inhabitants endure difficult conditions: social cohesiveness was deteriorated, neighborhood relations were damaged and tensions flared between the residents. (Naceur F, 2003) Another research on a Z.H.U.N in Annaba (Mebirouk , 2005) showed that outdoor spaces supposed to enhance social interaction between occupants were abandoned, deserted and diverted from their use. Visibly all common spaces undergo an accelerated deterioration rightly after the occupation of the apartments; they sometimes turn into support of rubbish and garbage. Vandalism and lack of maintenance had become real and pervasive problem. The above results show that the degree of alienation has become serious among Algerian Z.H.U.N residents. This study aims to examine the problems related to the social life in the Z.H.U.N, by inquiring into the impact of outdoor communal spaces on social interaction.

HOW CAN SPACE SERVE SOCIAL INTERCTION?

Many studies convey the idea that outdoor space can enhance social interaction. People go to outdoor spaces because of the need for human. Cooper and al 1998) . Outdoor spaces are sites for chance encounters and potential interactions (Drucker and al, 1998). They provide opportunities for space users by visual contacts and non verbal communications for higher level social interactions. In large apartment buildings, individuals have been found to socialize in outdoor common spaces, because this type of housing increase recreation outside of the home ( Glaeser, and al. 2000) According to many researches we divided factors influencing social interaction in housing estates into two general areas of focus: social variables and physical elements of communal outdoor spaces: Social Variables Presence of children at home, owner-renter status, length of residence and annual income are relevant sociodemographic characteristics presumably associated with social interaction. Nevertheless, similarity is a precondition of the development of social ties. People are more likely to engage in interactions and develop friendships with homogeneous, like-minded others. (Haggerty,1982). Physical and Spatial Elements The physical elements which may affect the patterns of social contact among neighbors include layout pattern, site plan, scale and proportion, land use mix and physical features: Layout Pattern Refers to the spatial arrangement of a neighborhood. The layout plan of housing estates can contribute to interact among residents within housing estates and turn the interaction into a social relationship. In 1960, Jacobs, drew attention on the arrangement of traditional neighborhoods that can enhance social life, she asserted that physical features such as sidewalks afford social activities. (Jacobs,1961). (Gehl,1986) found that long duration activities in a residential street occurred in semiprivate zones, what he called soft edges (e.g. front gardens). This point of view is supported by Newmans defensible theory. (Newman, 1972) According to this theory, territoriality is a critical mechanism for creating a cohesive residential environment, making it well contained and easier to monitor and control.

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More intimate scale stimulates people more for spontaneous activities, neighboring can be engendered by having small-scale, well-defined neighborhood with clear boundary. In order to avoid confused spaces around the blocs in which it was unclear what the land was used for and who policed it, Newman proposed two critical components: Territorial definition of the physical environment: by subdividing the residential environments into zones toward which adjacent residents can easily adopt proprietary attitudes. Territorial markings and signage: zones of control can be created through the use of physical or symbolic barriers that disrupt movement between public and private spaces. Newman proposed many design guidelines that have been incorporated to residential environments for enhancement of social interaction while providing security. (Newman, 1996). Mixed Land Uses Jacobs was the first one who articulated the relationship between mixed land uses, social interaction and sense of community. She argued that public housing complexes destroyed the traditional mixed-use communities that produce a vibrant street life. (Choay, 1965) When place of residence is juxtaposed with places to shop or recreate, social interaction is encouraged since people tend to walk more. The mixture of residential and commercial land uses increases opportunities for "chance encounters". When there is nothing to do there a space will be empty and unused Physical Features A high quality of outdoor space can enhance social interaction, it invites people to come and stay for some time. The more time people spent outdoors, the more activities may be grown. (Knack, 2000). Visual appearance of common outdoor spaces is important for neighborhood relations (Skjaeveland et al, 1997) Physical features have been identied as efficient design elements in outdoor spaces for encouraging social contacts. They can attract people to stay in the places and stimulate their conversation. The existence of interesting objects or events: water features, appropriately arranged seats encourages peoples use of public space. The provision of greenery in residential communities increases the opportunity for social activity and enhances the social bonding among the residents (Shu-Chun Lucy Huang, 2006) In addition, playgrounds containing recreational facilities, especially those attractive to children, is more likely to make their custodians interact. (Lau, 1997)

STUDY SITE
For the purpose of our study we chose a housing project situated in a Z.H.U.N of Biskra, a middle city in the South of Algeria. West Z.H.U.N in Biskra was built during the 1980s, a period when a large proportion of Algerian Z.H.U.N were built. Like other residential areas from that period, it was situated on the outskirts of the town, and had a specic physical character of 4-5 storey housing and large communal outdoor spaces. It was completed and occupied in 1987. La cite des 1000 logts is a housing project of 1000 dwelling units located in west Z.H.U.N The project has 1000 dwelling units arranged in four to five-story apartment buildings Fig.1 shows the location of the Z.H.U.N.

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Figure 1: Location the West Z.H.U.N in Biskra

METHODOLOGY
The purpose of this research is to examine the relationship between the outdoor space design of housing estates and the residents social interaction. The investigation draws on three sources of information, observations of peoples use and activities in common outdoor spaces, the design characteristics of the neighborhood and interviews with a sample of residents living in la Cit des 1000 logts . The context of observations included the number of users, users gender, users age range (elderly, middle-aged, young adult, and children), movement ow, as well as information about outdoor space uses and sociability: are the residents using the space or is it empty? Is there a mix of ages and sexes? Do people cluster in groups? Sites were visited repeatedly at different hours of weekends and working days. The field studies were carried out in February and March of 2011 on the assumption that outdoor spaces are used more intensively at these times Observations were supplemented by questionnaire survey with the residents, in order to collect information about the profile of the population as well as the attitudes of residents toward neighbors and their uses of common outdoor spaces. Data was collected from the owners of flats in the apartment blocks surrounding the open spaces. The number of users interviewed was 230

RESEARCH RESULTS
Community Profile of the Cite Des 1000 Logts As evident from Table 1, most of the households in la cite des 1000 logts were found to be large-sized nuclear families with an average of 5-6 children. In spite of the preponderance of nuclear family 83,9% , large families still represent 16,1%. Of the 230 respondents in the study, 7 had a female head only. Heads of households were predominantly full-time employees. The residents of cite des 1000 logts were relatively average educated and represent middle-class socioeconomic levels. 90,9% of female were housewives, Only 9,1% among them were active. The majority of households head had completed high school or done some college work and nearly 29,1 per cent had received a university degree . Only 8,2% of head of household were unemployed. Occupations were as of the following. 51,3% were government employees, 31,7% were retired, 18,3% per cent were skilled workers, 16,1% had their own business , small enterprises, small trades . Only

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6,1% held minimally skilled jobs.Findings show a high percentage of owners among the dwellers: 60%. Only 40% of the dwellings were still rented. To get information about the approximate household incomes, we combined three sources of information: Occupation of the head of household and his spouse and sources of wealth: possession of cars, trades , real estates. Results allowed us to regroup households in three categories: low, middle and high incomes. Table 1, shows that 51,3% of household had a middle income, against 34,8% who had a low income . Thus the residents of the study area represent middle class socio-economic levels in Biskra Findings revealed that a majority of people living in cite des 1000 logts share a great number of socio-economic conditions. They are relatively a homogeneous population. Table 1: Household Characteristics Socio-Economic Characteristics Person per Household 1-2 3-4 5-6 7-8 9 and more Number of household per house 1 2 Marital status of head of household Married Divorced Widowed Number of children 1-2 3-4 5 and more Employment of head of household Retired Government Employee Unskilled worker Skilled worker His own business (little tradesman) Unemployed Education of head of household Primary school High school or secondary level Academic level university degree Employment of household wife Housewife Employee Income High Income Middle income Low income No response Status of residency Renter Owner Number 02 25 82 72 49 193 37 223 05 02 32 115 83 73 45 14 42 37 19 22 141 67 209 21 09 118 80 23 92 138 Valid Percent 0,9% 10,9% 35,6% 31,3% 21,3% 83,9% 16,1% 96,9% 2,2% 0,9% 13,9 50% 36,1 % 31,7% 19,6% 6,1% 18,3% 16,1% 08,2% 9,6% 61,3% 29,1% 90,9% 9,1% 3,9% 51,3% 34,8% 10 40% 60% 3,9% 55,% 90% 100% 40% 100% Cumulative Percent 0,9% 11,8% 47,4% 78,7% 100% 83,9% 100% 96,9% 99,1% 100% 13,9% 63,9% 100% 31,7% 51,3% 57,4% 75,7% 91,8% 100% 9,6% 70,9% 100%

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Locations, Types and Facilities Many services were initiated for the improvement of the project. A primary school and a college have been inserted in the central area. A set of administrative equipments have been implanted all along the North urban artery, they limit the project thus and form its urban faade. Fig.2 shows the location of these facilities they include: bank, insurance, police station and several other administrative buildings. Bus station became a vital link joining the project to the inner city. Nevertheless there is no real mixture of residential and commercial land uses in the cit des 1000logtsto afford social interaction. A limited number of shops emerged along the north urban artery, they include: a cafe, two fast foods, a convenience store, a pharmacy, an internet and a videogame room. Except the unique cafe the other shops are focused on the daily supply and necessities of the local residents; they lack the visual appearance and the attraction to stimulate urban life in the neighborhood and to encourage social interaction. The internet and videogame room attract youngsters, however, it appears that they cannot add vitality to the neighborhood as they are introverted Communal outdoor spaces were provided in extremely poor conditions. Little attention was paid to the provision of outdoor spaces with greenery and design furniture .Parklands was not created as was foreseen in the initial conception. The character of the external spaces is till now marked by predominantly paved areas with little planting. Photo.1 The only recreational facility installed was a soccer field. Initially children playgrounds have been foreseen in the areas between residential blocks. However no play equipment and no setting areas were provided in these spaces. They are not even paved with the safety mat to afford a safe playing environment for the children.

Figure 2: Spatial Organization of the Cit Des 1000 logts

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Photo 1: Bad Quality of Outdoor Communal Spaces Accessibility There are several types of access to the cite as shown in fig 2. Buses are the main modes of public transportation in the planning scheme area. Public transport interchange facilities are provided at convenient locations. In order to preserve the intimacy of the residential area, all entries to the blocks had been oriented toward the inside of the neighborhood. The blocks opens up thus on the common outdoor spaces between the blocks rather than on the outside public arteries. See Fig.2. Nevertheless this tentative of closing of the cit des 1000 logts remained without impact on the selection of the accessibilities and especially the risks of intrusion in the neighborhood, because a large percentage of interviewees reported the intensity of thefts and aggressions and said that in most of the cases offenders were foreigners See Table.4 Social Interaction In the questionnaire survey, the extensiveness of social networks was studied by investigating how well residents knew others in both their building and in the neighborhood. Table.2 shows that the respondents have more extensive networks of interactions as many of them said that they know neighbors not only in their buildings, but also in different buildings of the same neighborhood. In order to investigate the intensity of social interaction, fours indicators were designed in the questionnaire survey: friends in the neighborhood frequency of visits between neighbors nature of the exchanges and services between neighbors Talking with neighbors about personal problems as the most intense form of social contact.

72 out of 230 respondents said that they have friends in the neighborhood. Respondents were asked how often do they exchange visits with their neighbors .According to the statistics, 60,9% said that they often or sometimes visit their neighbors. 23,9% said that they seldom visit their neighbors. Only 15,2% of the respondents said they never visit their neighbors 45,6% of the respondents said that : death, marriage ceremonies or eventually illness are the only opportunities for exchanges with their neighbors . For 43,5 % of the respondents the exchanges with their neighbors are more frequent

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and more personal. Nature of exchanges varies from: taking care of children, loans of domestic objects to financial aid in case of crisis. Finally, most of the respondents said that they would not talk with other neighbors about personal crisis. Although the number of those who have friends in the neighborhood was restricted, results show that respondents had more extensive networks of interactions , visits were more frequent and many services were exchanged between neighbors. Accordingly we can affirm that contrary to our predictions there is no anonymity in cite des 1000 logts , degree of social interaction is rather higher than predicted . Table 2: Social Interaction Social interaction Number of persons known by name in your building all almost all half very few none Number of persons known by name in different building of the same neighborhood all almost all half very few none Do you have friend in the neighborhood Yes No If you have a personal crisis you have a neighbor you can talk to Yes No Frequency of visits to people living in your neighborhood Often Sometimes Seldom Never Nature of exchanges and services Loan of domestic objects Taking care of children Financial help Ceremonies ,Death and illeness None Number 10 112 60 25 23 Valid Percent 4,3% 48,7% 26,1% 10,9% 10,0% Cumulative Percent 4,3% 53,0% 79,1% 90,0% 100%

5 75 85 35 30 72 158

2.2% 32,6% 37,0% 15,2% 13,00% 31,3% 68,7%

2,2% 34,8% 71,8% 87% 100% 31,3% 100%

63 167

27,4% 72,6

27,4% 100%

45 95 55 35

19,6% 41,3% 23,9% 15,2%

19,6% 60,9 84,8% 100%

35 42 23 105 25

15,2% 18,26% 10% 45,6% 10,9%

15,2% 33,5% 43,5% 89,1% 100%

Use of Outdoor Common Spaces Observations showed that outdoor communal spaces are most of the time used as transit areas than spaces of stay and leisure. Because of its situation, its high rate of public facilities, the bus station, la cit des 1000logts is crossed continually by various external fluxes. Intense pedestrian fluxes were observed in the neighborhood all over the weekdays. Records from site observations in the neighborhood which was visited repeatedly at different hours of weekends and during working days have shown that passerby were the frequent users who made extensive use of open space. Most of

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them come from adjacent neighborhoods and cross the study area to reach their various destinations. Consequently the rate of social interactions was weaker during workdays. The only regular users were children, who because of the lack of adequate playground used extensively open spaces for their games. Results of the interviews confirmed these observations: A high percentage of respondents 69,1% said that the only use of common outdoor spaces is transit. Only 23,5% said that they use outdoor spaces to socialize with others, or accompany their children and supervise them at play. Less than 8% said they use outdoor spaces for taking a rest, going for a walk or practicing any form of sport. A sensitive rise of use of outdoor spaces was observed during the week end. The rate of social interactions increased slightly and outdoor spaces became spaces of stay and exchanges. Observations conducted during several weekends, showed that specific groups have their own favorite activities to do in the outdoor common spaces. Men choose to meet the most public spaces otherwise the cafe and the boutiques installed on the peripheral areas .They deliberately move away from the spaces near blocks in order to preserve the intimacy of the neighborhood life Women used to cross quickly the neighborhood. They never stay late in common outdoor spaces near the blocks for chatting or gathering. It is not common to see women accompanying children to outdoor space and supervising them at play, this activity is strictly reserved to men: fathers, grand brothers. Children are the frequent users of communal outdoor spaces. Large open spaces provide opportunities for diverse children games: foot ball game, biking, running, playing on toy vehicles. This presence of children in communal outdoor spaces is also often source of problems and neighborhood conflicts .63% of the respondents mentioned the frequency of neighborhood conflicts, 62,3% among them said that children are the main cause of neighborhood conflicts. See table 3 . Because of the lack of adequate playing areas, most of children games turn into acts of vandalism and deterioration of the blocks: throwing stones, breaking windows, graffiti , .Male teenagers , meet after school in the outdoor spaces to talk or to play ball games before they go home. Older men are often observed gathering, talking, playing traditional games. Because of the absence of appropriately arranged seats they generally carry away a chair, an old carpet, or a cardboard to sit on it In addition to the lack of attractiveness, common outdoor spaces became intolerable and uncomfortable during summer seasons. They were not designed appropriately for the hot and dry climate of the region. They are too open and none covered, none shelters were provided. Consequently outdoor common spaces became completely deserted all along the summer days Respondents were also asked if the quality of outdoor space is good, will they use it or not. 202 out of 230 respondents said that they would go to this good quality space. Table 3: Uses of Outdoor Common Space Use of Outdoor Spaces Activities in outdoor common spaces Transit Socialize with others or accompanying children Taking rest Going for a walk Practicing a sport If the quality of outdoor space is good will they use it? Yes No Number 159 54 4 5 8 Valid Percent 69,1% 23,5% 1,7% 2,2% 3,5% Cumulative Percent 69,1% 92,6% 94,3% 96,5% 100

202 28

87,8% 12,2%

87,8% 100%

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Table 4: Frequency of Conflicts, Thefts and Aggression in the Neighborhood Number Frequency of Conflicts Always Often Seldom Never Cause of conflicts Children Other Rate of thefts or aggression in the neighborhood : High Average low very low Do you thing that offenders are from the neighborhood Yes No 40 105 54 31 124 75 Valid Percent 17,4% 45,6% 23,5% 13,5% 62,3% 37,7% Cumulative Percent 17,4% 63% 86,5% 100% 62,3% 100%

40 95 50 45 71 114

17,4 41,3% 21,7% 19,6% 38,4% 61,6%

17,4% 58,7% 80,4 100% 38,4% 100%

Form of Appropriations of Outdoor Spaces The inhabitants of first floors are more likely to garden and engage in yard work, because these spaces are located close to their flats. Outdoor space is regarded in this case as a natural extension of interior. In most of the case, gardens are discerned like exclusive properties this is observed through the use of iron wire fencing in order to prevent any kind of intrusion in these spaces and to limit its use to only residents. Nevertheless, gardening remains an isolated action, it is not only limited to nearby outdoor spaces, but not all the residents of first floors are engaged in such activity. In spite of the presence of the gardens, unfortunately many yards are organized badly and little kept, they are not carved and tidy, they sometimes turn into a support of garbage, of rubbish, of all sorts

Photo 2: Gardens Organized Badly and Little Kept

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Comparison of Use and Interaction in Three Variety of Arrangement of Common Outdoor Spaces within Cite Des 1000 Logts In order to better understand how different types of layout and their arrangement influence resident to gather and interact around the blocks we distinguished three varieties of configurations of common spaces inside the study area and we tried to compare the use and social interaction in the three types of communal outdoor spaces. The cite of 1000 logts was composed of various forms of arrangements of blocks: blocks in I, Blocks in L, blocks in U and blocks in H. All the blocks are organized around a big central space designed to be parkland or playgrounds but currently these spaces are practically empty. For the purpose of the study, spaces between blocks have been categorized into three groups in term of their degree of closing: High degree of closing : Resulting from arrangements of blocks in U facing blocks in L Average degree of closing: Resulting from arrangements of a block in I with two linear blocks Low degree of closing: Resulting from arrangements of blocks in H organized in linear gradations. Blocks in U Facing Blocks in L

Because of the inexistence of any physical or symbolic barriers to demarcate the arrangement of blocs in L and in U, common spaces that result of such disposition lost their sense of closeness. The absence of greenery and furniture increase this sense of openness. Block in I with Two Linear Blocks

There is no connection between the block in I with the two linear blocs. The space between blocks that results lack the necessary degree of closing to insinuate to the intruders that it is reserved to a residential use. In addition spatial proportion of the space formed between blocs is not convenient , the space seems too large and empty

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Blocks

in

Linear

Gradations

The space around blocs that result of such arrangement is ambiguous and not clearly identified

Figure 3: Comparison of the Three Configurations of Common Outdoor Spaces inside the Study Area The observations didn't show differences of use between the three types of outdoor spaces. There was not any sensitive difference in the degree of use or social interactions between the three variety of arrangement of outdoor communal spaces The degree of use and social interaction was reduced wathever was the arrangement of the space. There was not any difference in the appropriation of the outdoor spaces between the different configurations of spaces between blocks. Gardens were limited to the nearest spaces to blocks in the three varieties of arrangements.

CONCLUSIONS
Measure of social interactions shows a high degree of acquaintance in the study area although social relations were moderate in the neighborhood. Degree of social interaction was rather higher than predicted. However results of observation and interviews showed a very low rate of use of the outdoor spaces which demonstrate that outdoor space in Cit des 1000 Logts is not the catalyst of neighborly interaction. The observation of the degree of use in the various configurations of outdoor communal spaces within the study area showed that rate of social interaction was reduced whatever is the arrangement of the space. The main hypothesis of the present study that layout of cit des 1000 logts doesnt support lively interaction among the inhabitants is clearly confirmed Findings showed that the high degree of openness of the study area discouraged all form of use and reduced it to a transit area. The blocks were not arranged appropriately to form small neighborhood grouping. the spaces between blocks that result lack the necessary degree of closing to insinuate to the intruders that it is reserved to a residential use. There was no strong sense of enclosure that can define the communal space and mark clearly its boundaries. The multiple access to the cit des1000 logts reinforce its degree of openness and the ambiguity around its status. Residential outdoor spaces supposed to be an extension of living space and part of the home turned into public areas for transit. In addition to its influence on the daily life of the inhabitants, lack of planning and furniture, greenery made the large spaces between blocks seem larger and more open. The results were in accordance with finding of previous researches that bad qualities and attributes of the communal space may not attract residents to spend some time, to stay ,or even to interact with neighbors. Outdoor spaces were usually unused because they are unpleasant and there was nothing to do there. This became more serious during the summery season because of the lack of shaded places to seat.

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Results confirmed the relationship between mixed land uses and social interaction. Inadequate facilities inserted into the neighborhood did not succeed to make it livable. Administrative amenities set in the neighborhood transformed it into a space opened to all and browsed by various flux of users, which in turn discouraged any kind of use by the occupants. Shopping facilities were insufficient and not appropriately designated to provide residents a shopping experience while enjoying space, gathering with others .their impact on urban life and social interaction was reduced Findings revealed that a majority of people living in cite des 1000 logts share a great number of socio-economic conditions. The y were average educated and represent middle-class socioeconomic levels. They are relatively a homogeneous population. this could explain the extensive networks of interactions in the neighborhood. As mentioned in the theoretical framework, socio-demographic characteristics naturally influence residents' living style and their ways of using open spaces and the patterns of social interactions. Children who were expected to reinforce the ties between residents were a source of disturbance and conflicts in the neighborhood. Because of the lack of adequate playground areas, many parents were not encouraged to accompany the children outdoors and supervise them at play and in turn socialize with others. Because of their high rate of inoccupation, women were supposed to be more involved in the neighborhood. However according to our observations their use of outdoor space is restricted. Because of its layout, the bad quality of its outdoor spaces cit des 1000 logts could not afford to its residents a living residential environment which can be employed by its inhabitants for the enhancement of social interaction. These result are in accordance with the hypothesis that the layout of buildings in residential neighborhoods, the arrangement and the quality of common outdoor space have profound effects upon the use of the area and social interaction

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