Analyzing Urban Extensions and Its Effects over the Commercial Activity of an Urban Network

Abstract

AbstractIn this paper, we present a way for analyzing and visualizing extensions or enhancements of an existing urban network, as well as the effects that cause these extensions on commercial activity taking place in the network itself. This analysis is based on an algorithm for classifying the nodes of the network, depending on the type and number of facilities allocated to each node. Using this classification, it is possible to visualize the network according to a gradient color scale, allowing us to identify the most important nodes in the network and the part of the network more influenced by the introduction of new facilities. With this classification algorithm we can simulate and evaluate the effect that produces any reform plan over an existing urban street network.To understand the process, a detailed example of an urban extension is proposed and studied. Different land uses are assigned and some endowments and facilities are allocated in the new area. A comparison between the existing urban network and the new urban area created from the extension is performed, with the aim to determine the influence of the new commercial activity introduced respect to the activity taking place in the existing one.KeywordsUrban networksUrban developmentPageRank algorithmGraph visualization