Priorities of university campus spaces in the transition from first and second generation universities to third and fourth generation universities based on the Noel-Lovitz satisfaction measurement model

Users' satisfaction with the campus is one of the important factors in universities competitiveness and the attraction of users and their return with creative and vital activity. On one side changes in demographic priorities, lifestyle, technology, etc. and then changing in preferences among university audiences; and the other side necessity of inevitable movement towards third and fourth generation university, shows the importance of evaluating physical space satisfaction in Iranian universities. The characteristics and qualities of the build environment have a direct effect on activities and behavior i.e. the perception of the environment has a potential effect on the motivation to progress. Fourth generation universities are trying to create a campus where students and scientists from all over the world continuously work in a challenging and inspiring environment. This research aims at providing a general framework for evaluating users' satisfaction with the physical space of universities (campus) and the application of it in Yazd University. So, satisfaction is evaluated by adapting and adjusting the Noel-Levitz satisfaction model with Iranian universities, based on quantitative-survey and three cluster sampling of students, professors and staff. The “importance-performance (IPA)” analysis based on strengths (the questions have the most importance and the highest satisfaction), challenges (the question have the most importance and the least satisfaction) and performance gap is done and the priorities in the Yazd University campus planning determined. findings show to moving toward the third and fourth generation universities, the main factors are accessibility, sensory-functional, and spatial syntax and structure. Based on the factors, the priorities Yazd University campus planning is: 1) redefining the access hierarchy and development diversity modes of mobility, 2) coherent and integrated forms of the campuses 3) Planning the campuses development based on optimal use of land and creating activities related to the city. This research is complementary to the previous researches. first, considering multidimensional and comprehensive factors in relation to the physical environment; Second, considering all user groups in the university (students, professors, staff) and examining their opinions and satisfaction, commonalities and differences, and summarizing them; and third, providing a applicable model to measure user satisfaction in relation to the build environment of the Iranian universities. the following principles can be considered as general in all universities to improve the user’s satisfaction with campus and going to an entrepreneurial and community-led university; Realization the social center of university and its connection with urban centers and the exchange of functions and activities between them; Optimizing land use of university and improving activity on its edges and sharing spaces with city to induce greater cohesion and integration between them; Allocating growth centers, science and technology park, offices, permanent or temporary residence of professors, students and staff in university with recreational facilities; Designing the university’s entry as a gateway to connecting university and the city, society and industry (not the border separating the university from the city); Defining a readable access network with diversity modes; Applying identity features, contextual values, human scale and environmental arts that stimulate creativity, innovation and environmental vitality; Arrangements to climatic comfort and optimal energy supply and consumption.