Established Urban Research Traditions and the Platform for Space Syntax

This chapter provides an overview of established researchtraditions in the analysis of physical elements of the built environment. Herein, we address the morphological, place phenomenological, andurban network traditions. Following this, a synopsis about spatial elements applied to these traditions, including space syntax, is given. Furthermore, in this chapter, we explain the differences between extrinsic and intrinsic properties of space and clarify the typology concepts of the built form. Finally, we introduce the basic spatial elements used in space syntax and the simplest spatialstructures that cities can have. Exercises are provided at the end of this chapter.

Empirical Data Collection and Analysis, and Connecting Data with Space Syntax

Inprevious chapters, we demonstrated various analytic techniques focusing on the spatial aspects of the built environment. In this chapter, we discuss various methods and techniques for collecting qualitative andquantitative data dealing with human behaviour and how to connect such data to the results from various space syntax analyses. This chapter provides a brief introduction to these methods to stimulate ideas for connecting an array of spatial and socio-economicdata to space syntax. At the end of this chapter, we provide an exercise, references, and further readings.

Analysing Linear Spatial Relationships: The Measures of Connectivity, Integration, and Choice

In this chapter, we first explain the concept of an axial line and how the axial map is applied in space syntax. We then discuss the static measure of ‘connectivity’ with its ‘one-step’ to ‘n-step’ logic, including its meaning for axialintegration analysis. We further present the segment integration analysis. Using the streetsegment as the basis for analysis allows one to apply three types of distances and three types of radii in space syntax. We then present the most-often used space syntax measures in more depth, namely angularchoice and angular integrationwith metric radius, and introduce the mathematical formulae on how to normalise both measures. Real-life applications illustrate and underpin the usefulness of these measures and their meaning for urban analysis, such as why and how they allow us to identify urban societal processes and their added value at both a citywidescale and a neighbourhoodscale. Finally, we critically reflect on the measures, including their potentials and misfits. Exercises are provided at the end of the chapter.

Private and Public Space: Analysing Spatial Relationships Between Buildings and Streets

In this chapter, we discuss and demonstrate how to analyse the urban micro-spatial relationships between private and public spaces. These methods allow one to analyse intervisibility between buildingsandstreets, entrancedensity from buildings towards streets, streetconstitutedness, and the topological depth between private and public spaces. These urban micro-scaleanalyses are a quantification of Jane Jacob’s (1960) and Jan Gehl’s (1996) presumptions about the interrelation between streets and building entrances and windows. Exercises are provided at the end of this chapter.

Theoretical Representations of the Built Environment

In this chapter, we show what and how space syntax has contributed to theoriesand general knowledge of the built environment. First, we provide an introduction to two established researchtraditions, positivismand hermeneutics. The aim is to demonstrate through modal logic what the possibilities and limitations are for gaining general understandings and making theoretical explanations from space syntax research. Modal logic uses expressions to test the explanatory power of statements. Second, we show what space syntax adds to the debate about spatialintegrationand spatial segregation as seen in relation to market and socialrationality. We will focus on the spatial aspects and discuss these in relation to declining versus vital neighbourhoods, crime, anti-socialbehaviour, cultures, political ideologies, gender, and the use of space. Third, we give some reflections on what space syntax has contributed in regards to a comprehensive architecture theory. Finally, at the end, we add as an epilogue a thought experiment on how space syntax theories can be applied within the compact city debate. Exercises are provided at the end of this chapter.

Space Syntax Applied in Urban Practice

In this chapter, we discuss the application of space syntax in consultancyforurbanplanningdesign and practice. First, we present the scientific challenges to tying general understandings and theoriesto urban planning and design practice. Some elementary principles for communicating results from research and theories to practitioners are demonstrated. We further explain the principles for successful master planning and the principles for designing vital and safe public realms related to the use of space syntax. This is followed by a discussion on how to avoid common errors when planning for vital neighbourhoods and cities. We present examples from practice where space syntax has played a major role. These include regenerating Trafalgar Square in London, evaluating various proposals for a new road link in the Dutch city of Leiden, developing strategies for the whole province of North Holland, and densification strategies in the Norwegian town of Bergen. In the conclusion, we discuss major pitfalls when applying space syntax to urban design and planning projects in practice. Exercises are provided at the end of the chapter.

Orientation and Wayfinding: Measuring Visibility

In this chapter, we explain how the analytical logic of space syntax is applied for visibility analysis. In the previous chapter, the focus was on presenting all public spaces as axial sightlines. The individual axial line is a one-dimensional (1D) representation of public space and is useful for analysing the interrelationship of public spaces on a citywidescale. At the neighbourhoodscale, a two-dimensional (2D) representation of spatial elements can be useful. In particular, the public realm, such as public squares, parks, and wide streets, benefits from a 2D spatial analysis with a visual field using araster-based as well as an all-line modelling approach. In order to explain visibility analysis in space syntax, we start with the well-known 2D geographical visibility analysis ‘isovist’ as a field of vision. We build upon and explain visibility point-depthanalysisand visual graph analysis. Further, we demonstrate how the simple point-depth calculations contribute to a theory on space and urban centrality. In addition, we discuss 3D isovists. Furthermore, we also demonstrate and discuss the use of the all-lineanalysis. Finally, we expound upon agent-based modelling. Exercises are provided at the end of this chapter.