An analysis of the relationship between land use density of office buildings and urban street configuration: Case studies of two areas in Seoul by space syntax analysis

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to investigate the relationship between urban street configuration and land use density of office buildings. The land use density is another criterion of land value since the land use density intends to increase according to the rising of the land value to keep up with the increasing demand of benefits in limited areas. In order to confirm the differentiation of land use pattern according to the change of urban configuration, two areas of different urban street configurations were studied. Urban street configurations of the two areas were analyzed using the Space Syntax theory. The Axman program is used to estimate integration, connectivity, control, R-3 (local integration) and intelligibility values. Based on the computation two axial maps were produced. The axial lines represent spaces for vehicular access, including pedestrian footpaths. From the spatial analysis it can be concluded that there is a fundamental difference in spatial configuration between the two areas, in terms of their local structure as well as their global context.Correlation analysis identified the relationship between the building level and the space syntax variables. In area A, global integration, connectivity and local integration had strong correlation with building level and control also had valid correlation. In area B, all variables, including control variable, had strong correlation with building level. It reveals that the urban configuration influences the physical formation of cities. This result indicates that the land use density is significantly influenced by the street configuration.