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The interventions of portable ict devices on socio-spatial practices in Colombo urban public spaces: virtual socializing towards social distancing during covid -19 pandemic

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dc.contributor.author Silva, KCD
dc.contributor.author Ilangaratne, A
dc.contributor.author Senadheera, J
dc.contributor.editor Dayaratne, R
dc.date.accessioned 2024-01-22T09:04:43Z
dc.date.available 2024-01-22T09:04:43Z
dc.date.issued 2020-12-15
dc.identifier.citation ** en_US
dc.identifier.uri http://dl.lib.uom.lk/handle/123/22090
dc.description.abstract Urban public spaces form an integral part of city life and its built environment, facilitating space for formal and informal social gatherings, relaxation and entertainment. In this digital era, the traditional use of public space as a place of social gathering has been gradually modified due to the development of portable Information & Communication Technology (ICT) devices. Its ability to retain constant connection via digital media has resulted in the creation of virtual public spaces. On the other hand, the outbreak of Covid 19 pandemic has changed the initial use of urban public spaces due to physical distancing and other strict guidelines, and has compromised many public interactions we were accustomed to. This study aims to explore the shift in social behaviour and formation of private realms due to the usage of portable ICT devices in public spaces and the physical elements which facilitate these shifts. Further it aims to understand design considerations that could be used to facilitate social distancing practices. In exploring the research question, an ethnographical method has been adopted. The chosen urban public spaces were studied through observational survey, activity mapping, photographic survey, and field interviews. The findings show a distinctive intervention of these devices with social behaviour in public spaces. It shows the importance of addressing the urban public space in terms of these marked shifts based on its typology and functional characteristics. Further, some of the above findings throw light on the future prospects of urban public spaces which are currently in limbo due to social distancing practices. This paper suggests that ICT devices can become a useful tool in maintaining an active public interaction and social inclusion in countering the adversities on society brought upon by drastic preventive regulatory actions in the face of an unprecedented event as experienced presently. en_US
dc.language.iso en en_US
dc.publisher Department of Architecture, University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka en_US
dc.subject Socio- spatial practices en_US
dc.subject Portable ICT devices en_US
dc.subject Personal territories en_US
dc.subject Social distancing en_US
dc.subject Urban public spaces. en_US
dc.title The interventions of portable ict devices on socio-spatial practices in Colombo urban public spaces: virtual socializing towards social distancing during covid -19 pandemic en_US
dc.type Conference-Full-text en_US
dc.identifier.faculty Architecture en_US
dc.identifier.department Department of Architecture en_US
dc.identifier.year 2020 en_US
dc.identifier.conference 8th International Urban Design Conference on Cities, People and Places ICCPP- 2020 en_US
dc.identifier.place Colombo, Sri Lanka. en_US
dc.identifier.pgnos pp. 156-180 en_US
dc.identifier.proceeding Proceedings of the International Conference on 'Cities, People and Places'- ICCPP-2020 en_US
dc.identifier.email kavishacharukshi@gmail.com en_US


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