POST-PANDEMIC SPATIAL DECISIONS WITH UNIVERSITY STUDENTS’ AWARENESS OF COVID-19 MEASURES IN THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT

Abstract

Background: Pandemic coordination boards, science boards, and operation centers were established worldwide to prevent the pandemic’s spread. These centers have published guidelines, posters, and brochures for public transportation places such as COVID-19 Risk Assessment, Guide, hospitals, workplaces, and public transportation to inform the communities. However, studies have not been conducted on how much these measures are applied in real life and how much people are conscious. Aims: In this study, the student’s awareness of COVID-19 precautions will be evaluated through the WELL criteria by examining the guide titled “Strategies from the WELL Building Standard to support the fight against COVID-19”. Methods: The survey questions were applied to 100 university students from different cities and departments in Turkiye to collect the research data. The data obtained from the questionnaires were applied to the study’s sample group and were coded over the questionnaire results via SPSS statistical program. Results: It is seen that only 45% of students have information about “water quality,” and only half of the students do sports during the pandemic period. In this period, 77 students declared that they paid attention to the issue of nutrition. 53 out of 100 students experienced sleep disorders. Moreover, according to the survey results, 52 students received psychological support. Conclusion: The WELL standard, using closed areas and creating awareness of COVID-19, is an important solution for the built environment against worldwide pandemics. Users’ behaviors and spatial requirements of the built environment will contribute to developing project ideas for designers, architects, and engineers.