COMBINING FUNCTIONAL AND COMPOSITIONAL ASPECTS OF THE ANALYSIS OF URBAN STRUCTURE: A CASE STUDY OF LOCAL CENTRES IN VILNIUS / FUNKCINIŲ IR KOMPOZICINIŲ URBANISTINĖS STRUKTŪROS ANALIZĖS ASPEKTŲ SUJUNGIMAS: VILNIAUS MIESTO LOKALIŲ CENTRŲ TYRIMAS

2013 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 141-159
Author(s):  
Justinas Bučys
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Structure ◽  
Spatial Configuration ◽  
Spatial Accessibility ◽  
Urban Structure ◽  
The North ◽  
Critical Measure ◽  
Functional Patterns ◽  
Visual Potential ◽  
Compositional Structures ◽  
Linear Elements

A possibility from every location in an urban grid to easily access a range of shops and local services that meet the everyday needs, as well as workplaces, educational institutions and places for recreation is one of the biggest advantages of living in a city. This paper considers that combining tasks of encouraging the growth of local centres and developing street network in a way to promote walking and to provide conditions for using different modes of transport is one of the most appropriate ways to achieve urban sustainability. The problem addressed in this paper is the “separate” (i.e. “non-combined”) approach to functional and compositional aspects of the analysis of urban structure. The main proposal presented in this paper is to combine the two methods for analysing spatial and functional patterns. The first method deals with spatial configuration and how it is used by people, the second is aimed at investigating the role of urban composition at a macro and a micro scale in ensuring coherence of the elements of urban structure. The aim of the paper is to introduce the method for analysing the spatial structure of local centres in Vilnius and present the results which were obtained using the proposed model for investigating the interdependence of functional and compositional structures of the city. The scope of the study is to reveal some inconsistencies in the spatial patterns of three local centres in the north-western part of Vilnius where the distribution of the pre-determined functions and urban composition are in non-corresponding relation. Using the spatial accessibility model of Vilnius city, the study focuses on spatial structure at the level of urban blocks, which constitute local centres. The linear elements of the model are overlaid on a ground plan where convex spaces are highlighted considering their artistic and visual potential. Choice (betweenness, a measure of centrality) as a critical measure for analysing local centres is used to identify movement related structural patterns. Santrauka Galimybė iš bet kurios miesto vietos patogiai pasiekti kasdienius gyventojų poreikius tenkinančias prekybos ir paslaugų įmones, darbo ir mokymo įstaigas bei laisvalaikio leidimo vietas yra neabejotinas gyvenimo mieste privalumas. Lokalių centrų stiprinimo ir gatvių tinklo plėtros, sudarant sąlygas susisiekti pėsčiomis bei naudotis įvairių rūšių transportu, uždavinių derinimas sprendžiant veiksmingos, efektyvios urbanistinės struktūros formavimo klausimus yra viena iš pagrindinių darnios plėtros užtikrinimo priemonių. Straipsnyje keliama funkcinių ir kompozicinių urbanistinės struktūros analizės aspektų sujungimo problema. Siekiant išplėsti urbanistinės struktūros analizės galimybes, šiame straipsnyje siūloma kartu taikyti space syntax – viešųjų erdvių tyrimo – metodiką ir urbanistinės kompozicijos vaidmens lokaliu ir globaliu lygmeniu, užtikrinant urbanistinės struktūros elementų funkcinį ir erdvinį sąryšį, nustatymo būdą. Straipsnio tikslas yra pristatyti remiantis sudarytu miesto funkcinės ir kompozicinės struktūrų sąveikos tyrimo modeliu atliktą Vilniaus miesto lokalių centrų urbanistinės struktūros tyrimą, atskleisti taikytą metodiką ir gautus rezultatus. Tyrimo metu siekta nustatyti struktūrų prieštaringumus, kurie pasireiškia suplanuotų funkcijų išsidėstymo ir urbanistinės kompozicijos neatitikimu. Nagrinėti trys lokalūs centrai, esantys Vilniaus miesto šiaurės vakarų dalyje. Naudojant Vilniaus miesto viešųjų erdvių pasiekiamumo modelį, plane išryškinti lokalius centrus sudarantys kvartalai ir jų urbanistinės erdvės struktūra – linijiniai modelio elementai ir juos dengiančios vizualiai atskiros urbanistinės erdvės dalys, kurių meninio ir vizualinio potencialo įvertinimai išreikšti sutartiniais žymenimis. Apskaičiuotos prognozuojamą žmonių srautų pasiskirstymą gatvių tinkle atspindinčios pasirinkimo arba matematinio pereinamumo vertės.

scholarly journals Does compact development promote a seismic-resistant city? Application of seismic-damage statistical models to Taichung, Taiwan

2018 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
pp. 84-101
Author(s):  
Chih-Hao Wang
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Structure ◽  
Compact Form ◽  
Urban Structure ◽  
City Center ◽  
Downtown Area ◽  
The North ◽  
Compact Development ◽  
Seismic Resistant ◽  
The City ◽  
Seismic Impacts

This study examines whether compact development promotes a seismic-resistant city. A statistical model is used to simulate seismic damages under four spatial structure scenarios for Taichung, Taiwan. The existing floor areas of various land uses are allowed to be reallocated for reshaping the spatial structure of the city. This provides an opportunity to find an urban structure that would best resist seismic impacts similar to what have occurred during the past 100 years. The results suggest a polycentric compact form for seismic mitigation. This form, derived from the vision of Taichung, would have less seismic damages by shifting floor areas from the city center to three proposed subcenters, far away from most seismic impacts. One weakness is the seismic impacts from the north. The results also reveal that a monocentric compact form would incur more damages because the downtown area is essentially seismic-vulnerable. This paper advocates the application of a stricter building code in the downtown area. The local government should also not render additional building bulk as an incentive for urban renewal.

scholarly journals Mental Health and the City in the Post-COVID-19 Era

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (14) ◽  
pp. 7533
Author(s):  
Jakub Bil ◽  
Bartłomiej Buława ◽  
Jakub Świerzawski
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Spatial Structure ◽  
Urban Sprawl ◽  
Mental Health Treatment ◽  
Interpersonal Relations ◽  
Urban Structure ◽  
Spatial Effects ◽  
Development Goals ◽  
The City

The article describes the risks for the mental health and wellbeing of urban-dwellers in relation to changes in the spatial structure of a city that could be caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. A year of lockdown has changed the way of life in the city and negated its principal function as a place of various meetings and social interactions. The danger of long-term isolation and being cut-off from an urban lifestyle is not only a challenge facing individuals, but it also creates threats on various collective levels. Hindered interpersonal relations, stress, and the fear of another person lower the quality of life and may contribute to the development of mental diseases. Out of fear against coronavirus, part of the society has sought safety by moving out of the densely populated city centres. The dangerous results of these phenomena are shown by research based on the newest literature regarding the influence of COVID-19 and the lockdown on mental health, urban planning, and the long-term spatial effects of the pandemic such as the urban sprawl. The breakdown of the spatial structure, the loosening of the urban tissue, and urban sprawl are going to increase anthropopressure, inhibit access to mental health treatment, and will even further contribute to the isolation of part of the society. In addition, research has shown that urban structure loosening as a kind of distancing is not an effective method in the fight against the SARS-COV pandemic. Creating dense and effective cities through the appropriate management of development during and after the pandemic may be a key element that will facilitate the prevention of mental health deterioration and wellbeing. It is also the only possibility to achieve the selected Sustainable Development Goals, which as of today are under threat.

SPATIAL STRUCTURE OF KAUNAS AND ITS INFLUENCE ON SECURITY IN PUBLIC SPACES AND GREEN RECREATIONAL AREAS / KAUNO MIESTO ERDVINĖS STRUKTŪROS ĮTAKA SAUGUMUI VIEŠOSIOSE ERDVĖSE IR ŽALIOSIOSE REKREACINĖSE TERITORIJOSE

2013 ◽  
Vol 36 (4) ◽  
pp. 272-282 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kęstutis Zaleckis ◽  
Irina Matijošaitienė
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Structure ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Space Syntax ◽  
Public Spaces ◽  
Urban Structure ◽  
Important Conclusion ◽  
Syntax Analysis ◽  
The Public ◽  
Space Syntax Analysis ◽  
Crime Risks

In the article the influence of spatial structure on the safety of citizens in the public spaces is analyzed from the perspective of spatial determinism. The safety in green recreational areas is also discussed. Kaunas is chosen as the research polygon. Axial map of Kaunas was prepared while using both traditional method of space syntax and model of continuity lines. Method of overlapping layers was employed to combine the following data: space syntax analysis, crime, density of population, borders of the neighbourhoods, urban morphotypes, etc. The regularities of relations between spatial structure of Kaunas and higher crime risks were identified. Important conclusion is that the above mentioned regularities are stronger at the local level of urban structure. Santrauka Straipsnyje, žvelgiant iš erdvinio determinizmo pozicijų, analizuojama miesto erdvinės struktūros įtaka gyventojų saugumui viešosiose erdvėse, atskirai skiriant dėmesio ir saugumui žaliosiose rekreacinėse teritorijose. Pasirinkus Kauną kaip tyrimų poligoną, parengtas jo ašinis žemėlapis, taikant tradicinį ir tęstines linijas modeliuojantį erdvės sintaksės metodą. Taikant sluoksnių perdengimų metodą, sugretinus erdvės sintaksės tyrimų rezultatus, informaciją apie nusikalstamumą, gyventojų tankumo žemėlapį, teritorinių miesto vienetų ribas ir užstatymo morfotipus, išryškinti dėsningumai, susiejantys erdvinės miesto struktūros charakteristikas ir didesnę nusikalstamumo riziką. Nustatyti dėsningumai ryškesni kaimynysčių lygmenyje ir ne tokie ryškūs viso miesto lygmenyje.

scholarly journals Research on Changes of Spatial Structure Genotype of a Former Artillerymen’ Military Town of Kaunas Fortress

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 ◽  
pp. 16-30
Author(s):  
Kestutis Zaleckis ◽  
Ausra Mlinkauskiene ◽  
Nijole Steponaityte
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Structure ◽  
Cultural Heritage ◽  
Cultural Development ◽  
Present System ◽  
Urban Structure ◽  
Architectural Style ◽  
Current State ◽  
Cultural Artefact ◽  
Spatial Volume ◽  
Development Analysis

Immovable cultural heritage creates a background for sustainable cultural development of cities. As a cultural artefact, it appears in two-fold situation in the above-mentioned context. Firstly, the continuity of the valuable features as carriers of cultural content should be preserved. Secondly, the possibility of the evolution (functional, spatial or social) of the object should be assured. Now the valuable features of the immovable cultural heritage are described in a static, quantitative ways with focus on phenotype, e.g. spatial volume, place, details of architectural style, number and places of windows, etc. Such type of description without any argumentations is practically closing any possibilities for further evolution of the protected objects. It is especially true if we speak about urban valuable structures. The authors of the article present a proposal for dynamic, genotype oriented modelling of the possible evolution of the former military town of Kaunas Fortress as an example of immovable urban cultural heritage. The model is based on the evaluation of changes in the cognition of urban structure with presentation of complex numerical values. Research included the following parts: historical urban development analysis of heritage territory, current state analysis, investigation and modelling of territory spatial structure genotypic changes. The results of the presentation demonstrate the limitations and subjectivity of the present system of description of valuable features of the objects of immovable cultural heritage and present the possible way for the improvement of the situation.

Framework for metaphor-based spatial configuration design: a case study of Japanese rock gardens

2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 223-232
Author(s):  
Yuval Kahlon ◽  
Haruyuki Fujii
Keyword(s):  
Design Process ◽  
Spatial Configuration ◽  
Configuration Design ◽  
Design Phase ◽  
Rock Composition ◽  
Conceptual Design Phase ◽  
Spatial Configurations ◽  
Visual Potential ◽  
Alternative Designs

AbstractMetaphors are powerful tools for design, enabling designers to encapsulate sets of properties and relations as short verbal descriptions. This paper aims to clarify how simple spatial configurations may emerge from concise metaphoric descriptions at the conceptual design phase. To this aim, we propose a framework for a metaphor-based design process. As a basis for the framework, we introduce the concept of “complementary visual potential” – a property which ties the spatial configuration of the objects in the composition with their metaphoric roles. The framework is developed by studying the practice of metaphor-based spatial configuration design in Japanese rock gardens. Accordingly, it is implemented and tested in this context by attempting to generate alternative designs for an existing rock composition in the famous garden of Ryōan-ji. This is followed by a discussion of its possible implications and potential for generalization to other areas of design.

scholarly journals Urban Ecosystem Services (UES) Assessment within a 3D Virtual Environment: A Methodological Approach for the Larger Urban Zones (LUZ) of Naples, Italy

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (18) ◽  
pp. 6205
Author(s):  
Maria Cerreta ◽  
Roberta Mele ◽  
Giuliano Poli
Keyword(s):  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Virtual Environment ◽  
Spatial Configuration ◽  
Methodological Approach ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Urban Ecosystem ◽  
Data Availability ◽  
Urban Structure ◽  
Urban Ecosystem Services ◽  
3D Virtual Environment

The complexity of the urban spatial configuration, which affects human wellbeing and landscape functioning, necessitates data acquisition and three-dimensional (3D) visualisation to support effective decision-making processes. One of the main challenges in sustainability research is to conceive spatial models adapting to changes in scale and recalibrate the related indicators, depending on scale and data availability. From this perspective, the inclusion of the third dimension in the Urban Ecosystem Services (UES) identification and assessment can enhance the detail in which urban structure–function relationships can be studied. Moreover, improving the modelling and visualisation of 3D UES indicators can aid decision-makers in localising, analysing, assessing, and managing urban development strategies. The main goal of the proposed framework is concerned with evaluating, planning, and monitoring UES within a 3D virtual environment, in order to improve the visualisation of spatial relationships among services and to support site-specific planning choices.

Urban Spatial Structure and Travel in China

2019 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 6-24 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lingqian Hu ◽  
Jiawen Yang ◽  
Tianren Yang ◽  
Yuanjie Tu ◽  
Jing Zhu
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Structure ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Contextual Factors ◽  
Mixed Effects ◽  
Empirical Literature ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Urban Structure ◽  
Urban Spatial Structure ◽  
Complex Mechanisms ◽  
The Relationship

This article first provides a critical scoping review of empirical literature on the relationship between urban structure and travel in China. The review finds that residential suburbanization alone increases travel, polycentric development has mixed effects, and jobs–housing balance reduces travel. Second, this article compares the empirical findings of the urban structure–travel relationships in China with those observed in other countries, and it identifies contextual factors that can explain the differing relationships in China. We suggest that future research improve data and methodology and broaden the research scope to investigate the complex mechanisms that affect the urban structure–travel relationship in China.

URBANISTINIS GENOTIPAS: KAI KURIE ASPEKTAI IR JŲ KAITOS TYRIMAI

2011 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 73-81 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kęstutis Zaleckis ◽  
Irina Matijošaitienė
Keyword(s):  
Complex System ◽  
Spatial Structure ◽  
Complex Nature ◽  
Urban Structure ◽  
Urban Spatial Structure ◽  
Crucial Importance ◽  
Street Network ◽  
Experimental Site ◽  
Downtown Area ◽  
Code Changes

A city is an open complex system. It should change in order to survive. Besides the need to change there is another one – to preserve stability of a valuable spatial structure. Two contradictory needs can create a problem, which is hard to solve. Concepts of urban genotype and phenotype help integrating both of the two above-mentioned needs. The same genotype can be expressed in different forms thus creating preconditions for evolution of an urban structure. On the basis of historical analogues, a conclusion was made that it is possible to describe an urban genotype in a utilitarian form in the article. The described research focuses on some aspects of urban genotype and investigation of code changes. As an experimental site for research, Kaunas downtown area was selected. This area is of crucial importance for preservation of Kaunas identity, which – at least at first glance – was protected from significant architectural and urban changes during the Soviet era… Results of the investigation reveal revolutionary changes of the genotype of the investigated area despite the fact that the street network and urban morphotype did not change much. It confirms the complex nature of the urban spatial structure and potential presence of the “butterfly effect”. Santrauka Miestas – atvira, kompleksiška sistema, kuri turi keistis tam, kad išliktų. Poreikis keistis ir išsaugoti miesto savitumui svarbias erdvines jo charakteristikas dažnai verčia rinktis vieną iš dviejų: kaitą ar stagnaciją. Urbanistinio genotipo ir fenotipo koncepcija leidžia išspręsti minėtą dilemą: keičiantis formai urbanistinis kodas ar genotipas gali išlikti nepakitęs ir taip užtikrinti evoliucinę urbanistinės struktūros kaitą. Straipsnyje, remiantis istoriniais analogais, teigiamai įvertinus urbanistinio kodo utilitaraus užrašymo galimybes, pagrindinis dėmesys skiriamas kai kuriems kodo aspektams tirti ir jų kaitai įvertinti. Kaip tyrimų poligonas naudojamas istorinis Kauno centras – miesto savasčiai svarbi ir architektūriniu požiūriu radikaliai nepakeista miesto dalis. Tyrimų rezultatai atskleidžia įvykusius didelius teritorijos urbanistinio genotipo pokyčius ir kartu patvirtina vieną iš tyrimo pradžioje padarytų prielaidų: miestui kaip kompleksiškai sistemai gali būti būdingas „drugelio efektas“ – ir nedideli pakeitimai fenotipe gali sukelti gana dideles mutacijas genotipe.

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