Theoretical definition: material configurations that indirectly increase the physical or perceptual difficulty of approaching, entering, crossing or remaining in a space.

Operational definition: SE1 is coded when a constructed or movable physical element produces an observable deterrent effect without constituting an absolute prohibition.

Observable indicators:

• planters that narrow access;
• fences with technically open passages;
• gates or doors;
• bollards;
• narrow approaches;
• changes in level;
• defensive architectural configurations;
• thresholds that appear to enclose a restricted area.

Inclusion rules:

• The element affects an identifiable spatial practice.
• The restriction remains avoidable to some degree.
• The effect goes beyond an ordinary design variation.

Exclusion rules:

• Closed barriers that produce direct exclusion.
• Facilities designed to improve accessibility.
• Immediate safety barriers.
• Decorative elements without spatial consequences.

Positive example: large planters reduce a public approach to a narrow passage that pedestrians repeatedly avoid.

Counterexample: bollards prevent vehicle access but leave a wide, clearly signposted pedestrian route.

Ambiguous case: a construction fence protects a work area but also blocks a commonly used public approach.

Alternative explanations: safety, traffic management, construction work, accessibility or protection of materials.

Coding instruction: record the specific physical element, its location and the affected spatial practice. Do not code “architecture” as a general characteristic.

Theoretical definition: spatial organisation that channels users towards differentiated, indirect or hierarchical routes.

Operational definition: SE2 is coded when spatial layout or management redirects, separates or complicates movement without necessarily prohibiting it.

Observable indicators:

• enforced routes;
• segmented circulation;
• indirect access;
• controlled crossings;
• pedestrian redirection;
• differentiated routes for visitors and premium users;
• dead-end approaches;
• repeated detours.

Inclusion rules:

• An alternative route is imposed or clearly encouraged.
• The difference affects comfort, access, proximity or visibility.

Exclusion rules:

• Universal one-way systems without significant differentiation.
• Emergency diversions.
• Temporary repairs without a selective effect.
• Routes designed to improve accessibility.

Positive example: general visitors are directed around a building while invited users use a direct central entrance.

Counterexample: all pedestrians use the same temporary detour around an area under repair.

Ambiguous case: a premium entrance offers direct access while an apparent public entrance requires a long lateral approach, but the actual access regime is unknown.

Coding instruction: wherever possible, record the origin, destination, ordinary route and redirected route.

Theoretical definition: arrangements that limit the ability to stop, sit, wait or remain without entering into a commercial relationship.

Operational definition: SE3 is coded when the provision, removal or configuration of furniture restricts non-commercial use of a space for remaining or resting.

Observable indicators:

• absence of public seating;
• removal of benches;
• uncomfortable or divided seats;
• standing-only configurations;
• seating reserved for customers;
• arrangements that discourage waiting.

Inclusion rules:

• The setting could reasonably accommodate stopping or resting.
• The arrangement plausibly conditions the ability to remain.
• Customer-only use conditions are documented.

Exclusion rules:

• Corridors intended solely for circulation.
• Emergency exits.
• Temporary maintenance.
• Absence of seating in places where there is no reasonable expectation of remaining.

Positive example: all seating around a public viewpoint belongs to commercial terraces requiring consumption.

Counterexample: a narrow emergency passage has no seating.

Ambiguous case: benches are removed before a major event, but no documentation explains why.

Coding instruction: record public and commercial seating, comfort level, accessibility and observed use.

Theoretical definition: visual arrangements that communicate restricted belonging or uncertain legitimacy without establishing a formal prohibition.

Operational definition: SE4 is coded only when visual or symbolic signals are related to access, circulation, remaining or perceived legitimacy.

Observable indicators:

• private-looking design in accessible spaces;
• exclusive aesthetic codes;
• symbolic territorial markers;
• controlled visibility;
• visually separated user areas;
• formal thresholds without access information.

Inclusion rules:

• There must be more than a mere appearance of luxury.
• A behavioural, informational or interactional effect must be documented.

Exclusion rules:

• Expensive materials alone.
• Decorative branding.
• Architectural grandeur without restrictive consequences.
• Researcher discomfort unsupported by evidence.

Positive example: visitors repeatedly stop before an accessible lobby because its threshold resembles a private residential entrance.

Counterexample: an ornate luxury boutique has a clearly signposted open entrance used by visitors with diverse profiles.

Ambiguous case: a dark, discreet entrance appears intimidating, but no behavioural evidence is available.

Coding instruction: identify the specific visual signal and the evidence linking it to spatial behaviour.

Theoretical definition: unequal or insufficient access to information that conditions the ability to identify, understand or use a space.

Operational definition: SE5 is coded when information on access, routes, rules or conditions is absent, unclear, selective or unnecessarily difficult to obtain.

Observable indicators:

• absence of public-access signage;
• ambiguous rules;
• digital-only instructions;
• unclear reservation requirements;
• language limitations;
• poorly visible opening hours;
• confusing public–private boundaries.

Inclusion rules:

• The information gap affects a practical spatial decision.
• The information should reasonably be available at the point where the decision must be made.

Exclusion rules:

• Minor design imperfections.
• Information clearly available before the decision is made.
• Language differences without consequences for access.

Positive example: a publicly accessible passage lacks signage while private destinations are prominently indicated.

Counterexample: entry conditions are clearly presented in several languages before access.

Ambiguous case: access information is available only via a QR code, but most users appear able to use it.

Coding instruction: record what information is missing, where it should appear and which spatial decision is affected.

Theoretical definition: conditioning proximity, remaining, participation or use through payment, purchase or consumption.

Operational definition: SE6 is coded when economic conditions regulate a spatial practice rather than merely establish the price of a product.

Observable indicators:

• minimum spending requirements;
• mandatory consumption;
• reservation deposits;
• paid seating;
• access linked to a purchase;
• indirect fees;
• paid access to views or positions of proximity.

Inclusion rules:

• Payment affects access, remaining or participation.
• The condition applies to the spatial activity being coded.

Exclusion rules:

• High prices alone.
• Ordinary prices for goods or services.
• Optional premium services where basic access remains unchanged.

Positive example: visitors may use a viewing area only after purchasing a table package with a minimum-spend requirement.

Counterexample: a high-priced café is surrounded by freely accessible public seating.

Ambiguous case: staff suggest that something should be purchased, but no explicit or repeated requirement is observed.

Coding instruction: record the exact condition, its amount, the affected activity and available alternatives.

Theoretical definition: formal or informal expectations that condition legitimate spatial participation according to behaviour, appearance or compliance with particular procedures.

Operational definition: SE7 is coded when behavioural expectations indirectly discourage or condition participation.

Observable indicators:

• dress expectations;
• photography restrictions;
• rules against waiting;
• advance-reservation expectations;
• age-related conditions;
• restrictions on sitting;
• behavioural ambiguity enforced at discretion.

Inclusion rules:

• The rule affects a spatial practice.
• Indirect or discretionary enforcement can be identified.

Exclusion rules:

• Proportionate safety rules.
• Legal requirements applied universally.
• Rules intended to protect users or fragile materials.
• Explicit absolute prohibitions recorded as direct exclusion.

Positive example: people without confirmed reservations are repeatedly discouraged from waiting near an entrance.

Counterexample: flash photography is universally prohibited to protect works of art.

Ambiguous case: a dress code is published online, but how it is actually enforced is unknown.

Coding instruction: record the rule, communication method, enforcement pattern and spatial effect.

Theoretical definition: visible or exercised surveillance that alters access, circulation, remaining or perceived legitimacy.

Operational definition: SE8 is coded when surveillance performs or supports an observable filtering function.

Observable indicators:

• security personnel positioned at thresholds;
• entrance monitoring;
• repeated visual observation;
• selective checks;
• security personnel following users;
• questions associated with monitoring.

Inclusion rules:

• Surveillance plausibly affects or conditions spatial use.
• Surveillance is linked to a threshold, route or practice.

Exclusion rules:

• Cameras alone.
• Universal checks.
• Emergency security measures.
• Personnel with no observable access-related function.

Positive example: a security guard repeatedly approaches people who stop near an entrance, and several subsequently leave.

Counterexample: cameras are present, but users circulate and remain without intervention.

Ambiguous case: a staff member stands beside an entrance but may be providing assistance rather than controlling access.

Coding instruction: record position, behaviour, frequency of intervention and observable consequences.

Theoretical definition: interpersonal practices through which access or participation is questioned, delayed, redirected, discouraged or selectively tolerated.

Operational definition: SE9 is coded when an observed interaction with staff affects access, routes, remaining or participation.

Observable indicators:

• selective greetings;
• questions or checks;
• reservation requests;
• redirection;
• delayed assistance;
• deterrent language;
• selective tolerance;
• informal withdrawal.

Inclusion rules:

• The interaction produces a spatial consequence.
• The behaviour can be described factually.
• Repetition of the pattern strengthens its confirmation.

Exclusion rules:

• Neutral customer assistance.
• Standard questions applied universally.
• Isolated service errors.
• Direct formal refusal recorded solely as direct exclusion.

Positive example: people hesitating at a lobby entrance are asked whether they are guests and redirected before they attempt to enter.

Counterexample: everyone who enters is greeted and given directions in the same way.

Ambiguous case: a visitor receives delayed assistance, but the reason cannot be established.

Coding instruction: record the precise behaviour, sequence and outcome without inferring motivations.

Theoretical definition: restrictive variation in access or use according to time, season, demand or operational phase.

Operational definition: SE10 is coded when a space becomes less accessible, less usable or conditionally available during identifiable periods.

Observable indicators:

• limited public opening hours;
• event-related closures;
• seasonal restrictions;
• access limits during periods of high demand;
• time-limited use;
• rapid transition between public and private conditions.

Inclusion rules:

• The variation modifies an identifiable spatial practice.
• The affected period can be documented.

Exclusion rules:

• Universal closure outside ordinary opening hours.
• Emergency closure.
• Temporary maintenance.
• Immediate safety measures.

Positive example: a public promenade is available only to accredited users during an event’s operating hours.

Counterexample: a municipal garden closes at night in accordance with published hours applied universally.

Ambiguous case: access is reduced at peak times, but this may be due to capacity limits.

Coding instruction: record start, end, recurrence and comparison with ordinary conditions.

Theoretical definition: uncertainty arising when an accessible route or entrance is difficult to recognise as available for ordinary use.

Operational definition: SE11 is coded when access exists but its location or status is concealed, appears private or is inadequately communicated.

Observable indicators:

• hidden public routes;
• entrances located away from ordinary circulation;
• unmarked thresholds;
• indirect approaches;
• private-looking entrances;
• absence of wayfinding.

Inclusion rules:

• Access exists or appears conditionally possible.
• The ambiguity affects recognition, approach or entry.

Exclusion rules:

• Genuinely private entrances.
• Entrances clearly identified at the decision point.
• Architectural complexity without consequences for access.

Positive example: a legally public passage is situated behind a hotel’s forecourt and has no public wayfinding signage.

Counterexample: a discreet entrance has a visible sign stating that the public may enter.

Ambiguous case: an entrance appears private, but its legal or operational status cannot be confirmed.

Coding instruction: verify the access regime whenever possible. Where verification is not possible, use the appropriate probable or ambiguous status based on the available evidence.

Theoretical definition: temporary reorganisation through which an ordinarily accessible space becomes closed, segmented, commercialised or hierarchically structured.

Operational definition: SE12 is coded when event-related installations or management arrangements significantly transform ordinary spatial use.

Observable indicators:

• hospitality enclosures;
• accreditation zones;
• temporary barriers;
• concealed or screened-off areas;
• pedestrian redirection;
• event-only entrances;
• conversion of public seating;
• differentiated user categories.

Inclusion rules:

• Ordinary conditions and event conditions can be compared.
• The transformation affects access, circulation, remaining or visibility.

Exclusion rules:

• Minor decoration.
• Brief emergency measures.
• Works unrelated to the event.
• Security arrangements without additional filtering effects.

Positive example: a public square is divided into public circulation, invitation-only hospitality and media-restricted areas.

Counterexample: temporary signage guides all users around an event without reducing access to public functions.

Ambiguous case: barriers appear during event preparation, but the final access arrangements are not yet known.

Coding instruction: wherever possible, record conditions before, during and after the event.