Welcome to your account

Researcher Details
Scientific Papers Abstract Submission

Theme

1st Track

Role/Contribution

Author

Research paper Title

Investigation of the Potentials of Mosque Open Spaces in Terms of User Experience

Personal Biography

Hatice Sümeyye Çelik Architect, Social Innovation Agency, Konya, Turkey Graduate Student, Gazi University Master’s Program in Architecture, Ankara E-mail: haticesumeyyecelik@gmail.com, Phone number: +90 5055864953

Paper Abstract

ABSTRACT Mosque open spaces possess the potential to address numerous issues related to urban open space quality, the need for diverse uses under extreme conditions, and the socialization needs of urban dwellers due to their social and physical characteristics. This study aims to investigate the usage potentials of mosque open spaces and propose design recommendations for these spaces. This paper focuses on the potentials of mosque open spaces, whose importance has increasingly been overlooked in terms of both design and usage. An analysis of mosque open spaces has been conducted through historical and contemporary examples of mosques and outdoor prayer areas. The study specifically examines the open spaces of Kapu Mosque, Aziziye Mosque, Özlem Mosque, Shams Tabrizi Mosque, Iplikci Mosque, and Özlem Yüksek Işıklar Mosque in Konya. The socially active and inactive open spaces of these reference worship sites were analyzed using methods such as on-site observation, open space examination, and post-occupancy evaluation. As part of the study, videos were recorded at five selected mosques to observe visitor movements within the mosque open spaces. Evaluations were made on how and how frequently individuals from different genders, age groups, and spatial activities used these open spaces. Based on the assessments, the positive features of the vibrant open spaces of the focal mosques were compared, and the underlying issues of neglected open spaces were examined. Observations revealed that mosque open spaces serve not only mosque users but also individuals from different age groups, lifestyles, and even animals. The relationship between this phenomenon and physical landscape elements was analyzed, and a mosque landscape design proposal was developed based on the obtained data. This study is expected to contribute to the literature by guiding the design of new mosques and the improvement of open spaces in existing mosques. Keywords: Mosque Open Spaces, User Experience, Social Interaction, Mosque Architecture, Urban Spaces, Turkey.

Paper Abstract file

Photo Submission
Works Documentation

Full Paper Title

Exploring the User Experience Potential of Mosque Open Spaces: A Post-Occupancy Evaluation in Konya, Türkiye

Full paper

https://icmamosques.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Exploring-the-User-Experience-Potential-of-Mosque-Open-Spaces_-A-Post-Occupancy-Evaluation-in-Konya-Turkiye-1.docx

Reference

Aazam, Z. (2005). The social logic of the mosque: a building and urban spatial investigation. In Proceedings of the 5th International Space Syntax Symposium, Faculty of Architecture, Technology University, Delft, Netherlands.

Akın, A. (2016). Tarihi süreç içinde cami ve fonksiyonları üzerine bir deneme. Hitit Üniversitesi İlahiyat Fakültesi Dergisi, 15(29), 177-209. https://doi.org/10.14395/hititilahiyat.268627

Ali, W. N. A. W., Hassan, N., & Abdullah, M. (2020, July). An Analytical Study of Mosques and Public Spaces: Integration Space. In Charting a Sustainable Future of ASEAN in Business and Social Sciences: Proceedings of the 3rd International Conference on the Future of ASEAN (ICoFA) 2019—Volume 1 (p. 237). Springer Nature.

Alnaim, M. M., & Noaime, E. (2022). Mosque as a multi-functional public space destination: potential breathing space in dense urban fabrics of Hail City, Saudi Arabia. Open House International, 48(3), 450-471. https://doi.org/10.1108/ohi-08-2022-0214

Asif, N., Utaberta, N., Yazid, M., Yunos, M., Ismail, N. A., & Ismail, S. (2015). Inactive mosques: the crisis of contemporary Muslim communities. Advances in Environmental Biology, 9(5), 367-370. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/274712150

Aytin, B. K., Tezgör, D. G. E., & Çay, R. D. (2021). Osmanlı bahçe sanatı yansımaları ve II. Bayezid külliyesi peyzaj tasarım projesi. Mimarlık ve Yaşam, 6(3), 983-1002. https://doi.org/10.26835/my.983645

Benli, G. (2013). The use of courtyards and open areas in the ottoman period in İstanbul. In Advances in Landscape Architecture. IntechOpen. https://doi.org/10.5772/55797

Çetinarslan M., (2020) [Online] Available at: https://www.konyapedia.com/makale/1667/kapi-camii/ (Accessed: 30 June 2025)

Duran, R., Apa, G., Bozkurt, T., & Çetinaslan, M. (2006). Konya’daki geç dönem Osmanlı yapıları. Yeni İpek Yolu Konya Ticaret Odası Dergisi (Özel Sayı, Aralık), 235-263.

Erdemir, Y., (2025) [Online] Available at: https://www.konyapedia.com/makale/2706/iplikci-camii / (Accessed: 30 June 2025)

Gehl, J., (2001) Life Between Buildings: Using Public Space, Arkitektens Forlag, The Danish Architectural Press, Copenhagen

Gehl, J., Svarre, B., Gehl, J., & Svarre, B. (2013). Public space, public life: an interaction. How to study public life, 1-8. https://doi.org/10.5822/978-1-61091-525-0_1

Gün, A. (2023). Cami Tasarımı Kodlarına Dair Bir Derleme. in Cami Mimarlığını Yeniden Düşünmek & Düşlemek: Sorunlar, Çözümler, Olanaklar, p. 24-52, ed. Ahmet Gün, İTÜ Yayınevi, İstanbul.

Hamdani, A. M., Suprapti, A., & Rukayah, R. S. (2021). Open space function in plaza area in Central Java Great Mosque. In IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science (Vol. 623, No. 1, p. 012094). IOP Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/623/1/012094

Helmy, M. (2019). Integration, Segregation, Or Fragmentation? Jeddah Contemporary Mosques In The Context Of Public Places.

Helmy, M. (2022). Mosque architecture in contemporary popular cultures: A critical perspective.

Krampen, M., (1979) Meaning In The Urban Environment, Pion Limited, London. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203717226

Latour, B. (1999). On recalling ANT. The sociological review, 47(1_suppl), 15-25. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-954x.1999.tb03480.x

Nizarudin, N. D. (2014, December). Changing Urban Mosques in the City: The Role of Communal and Intercultural Spaces in Malaysia. In Proceeding of the International Conference on Masjid, Zakat and Waqf (pp. 93-108).

Nizarudin, N. D. (2016). Spatial and sociocultural aspects of urban mosque open spaces in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: A mixed-method approach. Environment-Behaviour Proceedings Journal, 1(2), 43-51. https://doi.org/10.21834/e-bpj.v1i2.254

Nizarudin, N. D. (2017). Factors influencing use of urban mosque open spaces in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. http://hdl.handle.net/1842/22994

Onay, B., & Solak, E. B. (2024). Manevi güzelliğin yeşil mirası: Cami bahçeleri ve kullanıcı memnuniyeti. Journal of Agriculture Faculty of Ege University, 61(2), 217-232. https://doi.org/10.20289/zfdergi.1377809

Önder, S., & Polat, A. T. (2012). Kentsel açık-yeşil alanların kent yaşamındaki yeri ve önemi. Kentsel Peyzaj Alanlarının Oluşumu ve Bakım Esasları Semineri, 19, 73-96.

Önkal A., & Bozkurt N., (1993) [Online] "CAMİ", TDV İslâm Ansiklopedisi, Available at: https://islamansiklopedisi.org.tr/cami#1-dini-ve-sosyokulturel-tarihi (Accessed: 30 June 2025)

Öztan, Y. (1968). Ankara şehri ve çevresi yeşil saha sisteminin peyzaj mimarisi prensipleri yönünden etüd ve tayini. Ankara Üniversitesi Basimevi.

Öztürk, B. (2004). Kentsel açık ve yeşil alan sistemi oluşturulması: Kayseri kent bütünü örneği (Doctoral dissertation, Ankara Universitesi (Turkey)). https://www.proquest.com/dissertations-theses/kentsel-açık-ve-yeşil-alan-sistemi-oluşturulması/docview/3145890701/se-2?accountid=11054

Salmani, A., Rahimi, M. H., & Khakzand, M. (2016). Analysis of the Importance, Priority and Originality of Open Space in the Mosque.
Conference Participation

Head Office

The Office Al Fozan Headquarters, Prince Turki Bin Abdul Aziz Street, Corniche Road, P.O.Box 38, Al Khobar 31952, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Head Office

The Office Al Fozan Headquarters, Prince Turki Bin Abdul Aziz Street, Corniche Road, P.O.Box 38, Al Khobar 31952, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

You’re leaving us?

Thank you for the interest in the
international conference on mosque
architecture (ICMA)
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed consequat velit at ante bibendum, in dictum elit dignissim. Integer ac ligula eu quam commodo elementum. Aliquam erat volutpat. Phasellus ut justo vel sapien efficitur cursus. Proin nec leo vel dolor gravida consectetur.
Ut id tortor nec turpis lacinia feugiat. Aliquam erat volutpat. Pellentesque habitant morbi tristique senectus et netus et malesuada fames ac turpis egestas. Vestibulum nec cursus nisl. Integer ut quam ac nulla venenatis iaculis vel vel turpis. Fusce hendrerit arcu at dui euismod, id suscipit justo pulvinar. Nulla facilisi.
لوريم إيبسوم دولور سيت أميت، كونسيكتيتور أديبيسينغ إليت. سد كونسيكوات فيليت أت أنتي بيبندوم، إن ديكتوم إليت ديغنيسيم. إنتيجر أك ليغولا إو كوام كومودو إليمنتوم. أليكوام إيرات فولوتبات. فيسللوس أوت جوستو فيل سابين إيفيسيتور كورسوس. بروين نك ليو فيل دولور جرافيدا كونسيكتيتور. أوت إيد تورتور نيك توربيس لاسينيا فيوغيات. أليكوام إيرات فولوتبات. بيلينتيسكو
لوريم إيبسوم دولور سيت أميت، كونسيكتيتور أديبيسينغ إليت. سد كونسيكوات فيليت أت أنتي بيبندوم، إن ديكتوم إليت ديغنيسيم. إنتيجر أك ليغولا إو كوام كومودو إليمنتوم. أليكوام إيرات فولوتبات. فيسللوس أوت جوستو فيل سابين إيفيسيتور كورسوس. بروين نك ليو فيل دولور جرافيدا كونسيكتيتور. أوت إيد تورتور نيك توربيس لاسينيا فيوغيات. أليكوام إيرات فولوتبات. بيلينتيسكو