Dimensions of usability assessment in built environments

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to study the usability dimensions that end‐users utilise when they assess the usability of built environments in Finland. Design/methodology/approach – This study is carried out by utilising directed content analysis. A directed content analysis starts by creating (theoretical) pre‐understanding of possible categories and then goes on to test this pre‐understanding with empirical evidence. Findings – The findings suggest that the users use 12 different dimensions when they assess the usability of built environments. Practical implications – Understanding the usability dimensions end‐users use in assessing built environments makes it possible to make improvements in existing environments and in creating new environments that suit end‐user needs better. Originality/value – Even though discussion about usability dimensions and user experiences is vast, the existing discussion about usability dimensions in built environments is limited and this paper adds understanding of four “new” dimensions that have not been discussed previously in this particular context.