Measuring the Potential for Meaningful Usability of Spaces: The Case Studies of Two Social Housing Districts in Cagliari, Italy

The ongoing debate on the adaptation of urban environments in the context of climate alterations and the COVID-19 pandemic underlines the need for an organization of urban spaces and structures that promote active mobility, socialisation, sports, and recreational activities. This emerging need intersects with the broader issue of the built environment’s impact on individuals’ quality of life. This study examines the centrality of positive emotions in determining quality of life and introduces the concept of meaningful usability to conceptualize the potential of built environment factors to promote positive emotional responses. The study aims to answer two questions: first, what are the components and qualities of public spaces that influence individuals’ positive emotional responses? Second, how can a set of metrics be defined to measure relevant environmental conditions that are conducive to meaningful usability? The case study focuses on the districts of Is Mirrionis and Mulinu Becciu in the Metropolitan City of Cagliari (MCC). The study contributes to the field of urban studies by developing a procedure that measures access to urban services, Green amenities, Public transit, distance form the urban centre and diversity of functions to structure a cognitive foundation for the development of urban regeneration strategies. The analysis demonstrates the validity of spatial and configurational metrics in identifying vulnerable areas, criticalities in terms of access to services and urban quality and defining the objectives of urban regeneration strategies.