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A configurational approach to analytical urban design: ‘Space syntax’ methodology

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Abstract

Urban design has always been a challenging task and will remain one because of its inherent complexities and the diversity of the issues that are associated with it. A competent, experienced urban designer can use intuitive methods to deal with these complexities and still achieve a good design, but when projects become more complicated and multifaceted the intuition of the designer is not always adequate to ensure a successful design. This article argues that urban design process can be enhanced effectively by analytical methods that are applied at the specific stages of a design process. These methods can impact the inception of the design ideas, evaluate objectively the design outputs at different stages, assist the further development of the design solutions and reduce the risk of failure during the design process or project implementation. The article argues that for these methods to engage with the design process they have to be spatial in nature, as urban design is eventually manifested in a spatial entity. It is further argued that the analysis of space could bridge between space and the ultimate users of the design – or the people – if space is understood through an analysis of its ‘configurational’ properties. Finally, a configurational approach to analytical urban design is introduced, which is based on the theoretical foundations, analytical methods and modelling techniques of space syntax. The application of the methods, their role in urban design process and their contribution to urban design projects are all discussed through the review of a selected number of real-life projects.

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Notes

  1. Albeit considered as an analytical approach sometimes, Parametric Design is more about a tool for manipulation and representation of certain parameters.

  2. One of the main software for this kind of analysis is open source software called Depthmap, which has been developed by the Space Group at Bartlett, UCL (Turner, 2001).

  3. In response to the increasing requests of the professional sector, a consultancy firm, Space Syntax Limited, was set up by UCL to utilise space syntax methods and modelling techniques in urban design projects (Hillier 2007).

  4. The records of Space Syntax Limited show that more than 1500 projects have been undertaken between 1995 and 2012.

  5. Among these awards are: First ever RIBA CABE Public Space Award, 2008; The Civic Trust Awards in three categories of Outstanding Contribution to the Public Realm, Hard Landscaping, and a Special Regeneration Award, 2008; Commendation for Regeneration, RICS East Midland Awards, 2008; Best Public Realm & Open Space Award and Overall Winner, Lord Mayor's Awards, 2007; Design Excellence Award, East Midlands Property Awards, 2007.

  6. The St Botolphs Quarter Master plan Planning guidance was adopted as Council policy by the LDF Panel on 30 June 2005 (http://www.colchester.gov.uk/article/4100/St-Botolphs-Quarter-Master-plan).

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Karimi, K. A configurational approach to analytical urban design: ‘Space syntax’ methodology. Urban Des Int 17, 297–318 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1057/udi.2012.19

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