Navigating the Nexus: Towards a Multidimensional Framework for Evaluating Indoor Spatial Behaviour

Abstract

Understanding spatial behaviour provides valuable insights into how people interact with built environments. However, comprehensive research focusing on indoor environments remains lacking due to the complexity of space-behaviour studies. This study addresses this gap by proposing a conceptual framework to evaluate indoor spatial behaviour through a mixed-method approach. Key elements are identified using affinity diagramming and expert elicitation, and presented in a visual summary. The “multi-dimensional assessment of indoor spatial behaviour (MAISB)” framework includes three indicators (movement, perception, and configuration) and six dimensions (psychological, personal, socio-cultural, environmental, spatial, and temporal) encompassing 24 parameters. Findings show that the MAISB framework enhances understanding of the relationship between human behaviour and indoor environments, offering a structured approach for evaluating and improving spaces in future studies. This framework helps to build the theoretical foundation to integrate various elements of spatial behaviour, ensuring a holistic perspective on the design and evaluation of indoor environments. Copyright © 2025 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd.