Influence of Spatial Layout on Wayfinding Behaviour in Hospital Environment in Nigeria

Abstract

Wayfinding is the task of moving from an origin to an unknown destination in a new environment for a given purpose and it is quite challenging to first-time usersin a large hospital environment (Anacta et al., 2017). Wayfinding difficulties arecaused due to the complexities of building configuration and evolving spaces that emerge over time in response to operational needs and change which results in disorientation, uncertainty, anxiety, frustration, and stress (Hughes et al., 2015). The process of wayfinding constitutes a dynamic relationship between the individual’s navigational ability and the setting in which navigation takes place (Brunye et al., 2018). Indeed, navigation takes place in a space where spatial configuration and the flow of people results in human wayfinding behaviour, consequential in decision-making, decision-execution, and information processing (Martins & Melo, 2014). This suggests that building layout affects the choices individuals make in an environment. Human behaviour is the external demonstration of the processes of perception and cognition based on skills, obtainable information in the environment, and the individual experience of interpreting and taking decisions (Anacta et al., 2017). Several studies affirmed that wayfinding is affected by the familiarity of subjects with the environment (Martins & Melo, 2014; Peponis, 2012; Hölscher et al., 2013). Weisman (1981) recognised four environmental variables that affect the wayfinding behaviour which include visual access, architectural differentiation, floor plan configuration and signage. Most preceding studies in wayfinding focused on the process rather than the setting in which it takes place (Bakr & Elgendy, 2017). Several studies examined the cues of the environment and the varied strategies that improved the wayfinding process through the environmental setting (Ekstrom et al., 2018). It was asserted that people’s movements are affected to a notable degree by spatial configuration and spatial cognition (Mandel & LeMeu, 2018). Teaching hospitals have a diversity of services and movement of people which at times require a certain urgency in the flow of patients and staff (Sevinc & Bozkurt, 2015). Therefore, the qualities of the built environment and the efficient integration of spaces that improve human interaction are significant for effective wayfinding in hospitals (Martins & Melo, 2014). The purpose of this study is to examine the users’ behaviour in spatial layout towards improving wayfinding efficiency in hospitals.