The Effect of School Layout on Students sense of Belonging

Volume 12 , Issue 2 , April 2026

Authors

Sara Faruq Hamadameen Hamadameen 1 ; Prof. Dr. Mahmood Ahmed Khayat Khayat 2

1 Department of Architecture, College of Engineering, Salaheddin University - Erbil,KR, IRAQ

2 University of Kurdistan , Hewler, School of Science and Engineering Architectural Engineering and Sustainability Program

DOI logo 10.17656/sjes.10207

Keywords

Abstract

This paper explores the spatial school layout to enhance students’ sense of belonging across mental, physical, social, economic and behavioral preferences. It identifies four key factors connected to the sense of belonging, including student traits, social interaction, school environment, and school support system.The main role of school building gives the users movement, and this movement provides socialization, connection and amenities between students. The study employed a quantitative research design method; it is comparative study to analyze spatial connectivity from ten randomly chosen samples with different layout types in Erbil city high schools. Space syntax utilized visibility analysis maps by DepthmapX, emphasizes visibility, connectivity, and interaction between space components include entry, corridor, classroom, library, and social Space. A questionnaire survey was conducted among 303 students and included same grade level to ensure the reliability and validity of results. Used SPSS program by Spearman correlation, in which findings confirm statistically significant positive relationships between connectivity of school layout and students’ sense of belonging. The study presents different school layouts addresses in change of belonging. This study contributes new insights into how school layout can be intentionally designed and supported to increase belonging. Its implications extend beyond Erbil, offering useful guidance to educators, designers, and policymakers aiming to develop school layouts that nurture the sense of belonging of all students.

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