"Human behavior is impacted by both the physical and social environment. Within this broader area of study, only few studies have explored people's sitting behavior in public spaces. This study aims (a) to identify personal, social and environmental factors that have significant effects on people's sitting preferences; (b) to examine differences in both personal and environmental factors for different sociodemographic groups; and (c) to investigate the relationship between people's sitting behavioral performance and the social and physical environment at a public space within the Michigan State University campus. To collect data, surveying and observation mapping were conducted to record the sitting behavior of students, faculty members, and community members. The site was an open space, which consisted of several intersectional walkways, a large lawn area, canopy trees, and some fixed benches. There were 105 visitors who participated in the survey on weekdays, and 55 visitors participated in the survey on a football game day (Saturday). Logistic regression model was performed on the data to identify the variables that influence people's decisions to use nomadic chairs. Results of this study showed that occupation, the importance of chairs are movable, group size, and why they move chairs all have significant effects on whether people like to move their chairs within the designated area. Additionally, age, group size, and importance of chairs are movable were also predictors to people's preference for sitting on nomadic chairs less or more than 20 minutes. The study provided sufficient evidence to support factors that may affect people's decisions on using nomadic chairs on campuses that could be beneficial for planners, and landscape architects."--Page ii.
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