Ali, J., Mustafa, F. (2025). Active Workplace: Architectural Interventions for Reducing Sedentary Behavior and Promoting Stair Use. , 18(4), 437-446. doi: 10.30772/qjes.2025.158353.1524
Janan S Ali; Faris Ali Mustafa. "Active Workplace: Architectural Interventions for Reducing Sedentary Behavior and Promoting Stair Use". , 18, 4, 2025, 437-446. doi: 10.30772/qjes.2025.158353.1524
Ali, J., Mustafa, F. (2025). 'Active Workplace: Architectural Interventions for Reducing Sedentary Behavior and Promoting Stair Use', , 18(4), pp. 437-446. doi: 10.30772/qjes.2025.158353.1524
Ali, J., Mustafa, F. Active Workplace: Architectural Interventions for Reducing Sedentary Behavior and Promoting Stair Use. , 2025; 18(4): 437-446. doi: 10.30772/qjes.2025.158353.1524

Active Workplace: Architectural Interventions for Reducing Sedentary Behavior and Promoting Stair Use

Al-Qadisiyah Journal for Engineering Sciences
Volume 18, Issue 4, December 2025, Pages 437-446    PDF (7.42 M)
Document Type: Research Paper
DOI: 10.30772/qjes.2025.158353.1524
Authors
Janan S Ali* 1; Faris Ali Mustafa2, 1
1Architectural Engineering Department, Tishk International University, Erbil, Iraq.
2Department of Architecture, College of Engineering, Salahaddin University-Erbil, Erbil 44002, Iraq.
Abstract
The task of creating active buildings largely depends on the integration of active design philosophies into the building’s circulation system— especially its stairs and elevators—and its program. Despite the implementation of active design guidelines for promoting stair use, there is a lack of objective measures to assess their effectiveness. This study provides an empirical analysis of active design strategies utilizing self-reported questionnaires and spatial analysis using DepthmapX software in seven office buildings in Erbil, Iraq (N=240 employees). The findings indicate a minimal inclination towards using stairs, with (M= 1.24), and a higher inclination toward using the elevator (M=1.46). Although participants reported high satisfaction with stair design (M > 3.5), the findings revealed no significant association between stair design and frequency of use (p > 0.05). This study found that the outcome is attributable to the spatial configuration, namely the absence of social and recreational facilities throughout various floors of the building. The result of the self-reported questionnaire is supported by objective spatial analysis, which indicates a positive significant correlation between spatial configuration in terms of connectivity, accessibility, visibility, and stair use. Based on the findings, it is advised that efforts to encourage stair use should go beyond just concentrating on the architecture of the staircase. Enhancing spatial configuration—by improving connectivity, accessibility, and visibility, as well as incorporating leisure areas and the strategic allocation of the building program across various levels—appears to be a beneficial strategy in promoting stair use and reducing Sedentary behavior SB.
Keywords
“Active design”; “Health promotion”; "spatial configuration"; "space syntax"; "workplace"
References
  • A. Mustafa and J. S. Ali, “Active design: Architectural interventions for improving occupational health through reducing sedentary behavior-a systematic review,” American Journal of Health Promotion, vol. 37, no. 1, pp. 93–102, 2023. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.1177/08901171221111108
  • A. Jones, A. E. Quefeng Li, A. M. Aiello, O’Rand, and K. R. Evenson, “Physical activity, sedentary behavior, and retirement: the multi-ethnic study of atherosclerosis,” American journal of preventive medicine, vol. 54, no. 6, pp. 786–794, 2018. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2018.02.022
  • Owen, T. Sugiyama, E. E. Eakin, P. A. Gardiner, M. S. Tremblay, and J. F. Sallis, “Adults’ sedentary behavior: determinants and interventions,” American journal of preventive medicine, vol. 41, no. 2, pp. 189–196, 2011. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2011.05.013
  • A. Thorp, N. Owen, M. Neuhaus, and D. W. Dunstan, “Sedentary behaviors and subsequent health outcomes in adults: a systematic review of longitudinal studies, 1996–2011,” American journal of preventive medicine, vol. 41, no. 2, pp. 207–215, 2011. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2011.05.004
  • K. Rosenkranz, E. L. Mailey, E. Umansky, R. R. Rosenkranz, and E. Ablah, “Workplace sedentary behavior and productivity: a cross-sectional study,” International journal of environmental research and public health, vol. 17, no. 18, p. 6535, 2020. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17186535
  • Boyle, L. Fritschi, J. Heyworth, and F. Bull, “Long-term sedentary work and the risk of subsite-specific colorectal cancer,” American journal of epidemiology, vol. 173, no. 10, pp. 1183–1191, 2011. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.1093/aje/kwq513
  • T. Katzmarzyk, T. S. Church, C. L. Craig, and C. Bouchard., “Sitting time and mortality from all causes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer,” Medicine science in sports exercise, vol. 41, no. 5, pp. 998–1005, 2009. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.1249/MSS.0b013e3181930355
  • Kilpatrick, K. Sanderson, L. Blizzard, B. Teale, and A. Venn, “Cross-sectional associations between sitting at work and psychological distress: reducing sitting time may benefit mental health,” Mental Health and Physical Activity, vol. 6, no. 2, pp. 103–109, 2013. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mhpa.2013.06.004
  • J. C. Gallagher, Jacob, “Internal but not external building design associated with more occupational physical activity,” HERD: Health Environments Research Design Journal, vol. 17, no. 1, pp. 209–223, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.1177/19375867231192117
  • Parry and L. Straker, “The contribution of office work to sedentary behaviour associated risk,” BMC public health, vol. 13, no. 2, p. 296, 2013. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-13-296
  • T. Hadgraft, G. N. Healy, E. A. W. Neville Owen, B. M. Lynch, P. Sethi, and E. G. Eakin, “Office workers’ objectively assessed total and prolonged sitting time: individual-level correlates and worksite variations,” Preventive medicine reports, vol. 4, no. 1, pp. 184–191, 2016. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pmedr.2016.06.011
  • Maes, M. Ketels, D. V. Dyck, and E. Clays, “The occupational sitting and physical activity questionnaire (ospaq): a validation study with accelerometer-assessed measures,” BMC Public Health, vol. 20, no. 1, p. 1072, 2020. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-020-09180-9
  • K. Rosenkranz, E. L. Mailey, E. Umansky, and E. A. Richard R. Rosenkranz, “Workplace sedentary behavior and productivity: a cross-sectional study,” International journal of environmental research and public health, vol. 17, no. 18, p. 6535, 2020. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17186535
  • C. Dempsey, S. J. Biddle, M. P. Buman, S. Chastin, U. Ekelund, C. M. Friedenreich, and P. T. Katzmarzyk, “New global guidelines on sedentary behaviour and health for adults: broadening the behavioural targets,” International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, vol. 17, no. 151, pp. 1–12, 2020. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12966-020-01044-0
  • “The city of new york. the active design guidelines: Promoting physical activity through design. the city of new york,” 2010. [Online]. Available: http://www.nyc.gov/adgS
  • S., “Active design: Planning for health and wellbeing through sport and physical activity,” Public Health England, p. 104pages, 2015. [Online]. Available: https://www.activenorfolk.org/app/uploads/2021/04/active-design.pdf
  • “National heart foundation of australia. blueprint of active australia. australia2019,” Heart Foundation, 2019. [Online]. Available: https://www.heartfoundation.org.au
  • Moyes, “Monitor and the care quality commission,” British Journal of Healthcare Management, vol. 14, no. 2, pp. 78–78, 2008.
  • “Aia miami - miami center for architecture and design. active design miami: Design policy strategies for healthier communities, 2015,” no. 3, pp. 631–638, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://activedesignmiami.org
  • Hebert, “How the city of North Vancouver encourages neighborly social connections,” 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.sfu.ca/ceri/blog/2024/north-van-neighbourly-social-connections.html
  • K. Lee, “Developing and implementing the active design guidelines in New York City,” Health Place, vol. 18, no. 1, pp. 5–7, 2012. [Online]. Available:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.healthplace.2011.09.009
  • Nicoll, “Spatial measures associated with stair use,” American Journal of Health Promotion, vol. 21, no. 4, pp. 346–352, 2007. [Online]. Available:https://doi.org/10.4278/0890-1171-21.4s.346
  • M. Jancey, S. McGann, R. Creagh, K. D. Blackford, P. Howat, , and M. Tye, “Workplace building design and office-based workers’ activity:a study of a natural experiment,” Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, vol. 40, no. 1, pp. 78–82, 2016. [Online]. Available:https://doi.org/10.1111/1753-6405.12464
  • C. M. T. J. J. K. B. McGann, Sarah, “Stationary in the office: Emerging themes for active buildings,” Architectural Science Review, vol. 57, no. 4, pp.260–270, 2014. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.1080/00038628.2014.958127
  • Aarts and A. P. Dijksterhuis, “The automatic activation of goal-directed behaviour: The case of travel habit,” Journal of environmental psychology, vol. 20,no. 1, pp. 75–82, 2000. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.1006/jevp.1999.0156
  • A. Mansi, N. Mansi, H. Shaker, , and D. Banks, “Stair design in the united states and obesity: the need for a change,” Southern medical journal, vol. 102,no. 6, pp. 610–614, 2009. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.1097/smj.0b013e3181a4f67a
  • Zhu, A. Yoshikawa, L. Qiu, Z. Lu, C. Lee, and M. Ory, “Healthy workplaces, active employees: A systematic literature review on impacts of workplace environments on employees’ physical activity and sedentary behavior,” Building and Environment ., vol. 168, p. 106455, 2020. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2019.106455
  • van Nieuw-Amerongen, M. Kremers, N. D. Vries, , and G. Kok, “The use of prompts, increased accessibility, visibility, and aesthetics of the stairwell to promote stair use in a university building,” Environment and behavior, vol. 43, no. 1, pp. 131–139, 2009. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.1177/0013916509341242
  • Dolan, L. Weiss, R. Lewis, A. Pietrobelli, M. Heo, and M. S. Faith, “Take the stairs instead of the escalator’: effect of environmental prompts on community stair use and implications for a national ‘small steps’ campaign,” Obesity reviews, vol. 7, no. 1, pp. 25–32, 2006. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-789X.2006.00219.x
  • Moatari-Kazerouni, P. Pennathur, S. J. Tucker, and L. A. Leyden, “Design implications to increase utilization of stairwells,” Workplace health safety, vol. 64, no. 2, pp. 57–64, 2016. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.1177/2165079915612789
  • McGann, R. Creagh, M. Tye, J. Jancey, R. Tindall, and H. James, “Stairway to health: an analysis for workplace stairs design and use,” in Conference: Living and Learning: Research for a Better Built Environment: 49th International Conference of the Architectural Science Association 2015At: University of Melbourne, 12 2015.
  • Arslan and I. Erkan, “A model for evaluating the user satisfaction of human movements on stairs through the ergonomic design approach,” Theoretical Issues in Ergonomics Science, vol. 22, no. 6, pp. 651–672, 2020. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.1080/1463922X.2020.1852335
  • C., S. McGann, J. Jancey, K. Blackford, M. Tye, R. Tindall, and A. S. Moslehian., “Workplace circulation design and movement: a case study of three australian campus buildings,” Architectural Engineering and Design Management, vol. 21, no. 4, pp. 665–680., 2024. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.1080/17452007.2024.2384993
  • Sailer, A. Budgen, N. Lonsdale, A. Turner, and A. Penn, “Comparative studies of offices pre and post—how changing spatial configurations affect organisational behaviours,” Royal Institute of Technology, p. 67–81, 2009. [Online]. Available: https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/15302
  • T. Duncan, I. Kawachi, S. V. Subramanian, J. Aldstadt, S. J. Melly, and D. R. Williams, “Examination of how neighborhood definition influences measurements of youths’ access to tobacco retailers: a methodological note on spatial misclassification,” American journal of epidemiology, vol. 179, no. 3, pp. 373–381, 2014. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.1093/aje/kwt251
  • S. Israt and A. S. Hassan, “A comparative analysis of assessing the quality of the urban pedestrian environment in dhaka using syntactic and statistical methods,” Al-Qadisiyah Journal for Engineering Sciences, vol. 18, no. 1, pp. 1–9, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.30772/qjes.2024.153021.1369
  • D. Pafka, Elek and G. D. Aschwanden, “Limits of space syntax for urban design: Axiality, scale and sinuosity,” Environment and Planning B: Urban Analytics and City Science, vol. 47, no. 3, pp. 508–522, 2020. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.1177/2399808318786512
  • Long, J. Qin, Y. Wu, and K. Wang, “Analysis of urban park accessibility based on space syntax: Take the urban area of changsha city as an example,” Land, vol. 12, no. 5, 2023. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.3390/land12051061
  • Zaleckis, J. Kamiˇcaityt˙e-Virbaˇsien˙e, and I. Matijoˇsaitien˙e, “Using space syntax method and gis-based analysis for the spatial allocation of roadside rest areas,” Transport, vol. 30, no. 2, pp. 182–193, 2015. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.3846/16484142.2015.1045026
  • B. Hammadamin, J. Nordin, and F. A. Mustafa, “Interpretation of space syntax in higher education: A study of functional efficiency in architecture schools in erbil,” Sustainability, vol. 16, no. 24, p. 11237, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.3390/su162411237
  • Hani Ismaeel, R. M. Dabdoob, and K. A. Hussein, “Predicting of educational buildings locations by integrating spatial distribution assessment techniques high schools in mosul as a case study,” Archivio di studi urbani e regionali, vol. 135, no. 2022/135, pp. 135–159, 2022. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.3280/ASUR2022-135007
  • Omer and R. Goldblatt, “Using space syntax and q-analysis for investigating movement patterns in buildings: The case of shopping malls,” Environment and Planning B: Urban Analytics and City Science, vol. 44, no. 3, pp. 504–530, 2017. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.1177/0265813516647061
  • Natapov, S. Kuliga, R. C. Dalton, and C. H¨olscher, “Building circulation typology and space syntax predictive measures,” In Proceedings of the 10th international space syntax symposium London: Space Syntax Laboratory, The Bartlett School of Architecture, University College London, vol. 12, no. 21, pp. 13–17, 2015.
  • Khairuddin, I. Ibrahim, A. Jain, I. Amin, and F. Maharimi, “Active design: promoting physical activity through building layout,” In IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, vol. 842, no. 1, p. 012068, 2021. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/842/1/012068
  • Kim and E. Steinfeld., “An evaluation of stairway designs featured in architectural record between 2000 and 2012,” ArchNet-IJAR: International Journal of Architectural Research, vol. 10, no. 1, pp. 96–112, 2016. [Online]. Available: https://www.archnet.org/publications/10536
  • Kim, E. Steinfeld, and S. Weidemann, “The effects of interactive stairways on user behaviour and safety,” Architectural Science Review, vol. 66, no. 4, pp. 322 – 329, 2023. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.1080/00038628.2023.2201269
  • “New york city department of health. active design community guide (n.d),” no. 1, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www1.nyc.gov/assets/doh/downloads/pdf/environmental/activedesign-community-guide.pdf
  • Rashid, K. Kampschroer, J. Wineman, and C. Zimring, “Spatial layout and face-to-face interaction in offices—a study of the mechanisms of spatial effects on face-to-face interaction,” Environment and Planning B: Planning and Design, vol. 33, no. 6, pp. 825–844, 2006. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.1068/b31123
  • Turner, “From axial to road-centre lines: a new representation for space syntax and a new model of route choice for transport network analysis,” Environment and Planning B: planning and Design, vol. 34, no. 3, pp. 539–555, 2007. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.1068/b32067
Statistics
Article View: 449
PDF Download: 204


Journal Management System. Powered by iJournalPro.com