Integral Approach to Urban Design in a Data-Rich City Context

Abstract

This chapter deals with spatial transformation of urban space in context of data-rich urban environments and networked society, focusing on human activities, experiences and behaviours. It starts from definition of urban design as the multi-disciplinary activity of shaping and managing urban environments where elements of urban design are physical environment, human activities and connections. At the same time, contemporary communication technologies have changed patterns of spatial use; the way people act and behave in public spaces. Thinking over presence of social networks, virtual social communities, myriad data in public open space, and usage of communication devices chapter addresses question about their reflection on city’s social life, collective experiences and behaviour. The main issue examined is how urban design theory deals with social and spatial changes within network society. Looking at urban design through the lenses of integral theory will offer effective framework for encompassing both directions of socio-spatial relation. As such the chapter is a short critical analysis of theories with aim to recognize and identify urban design approaches based on changed human activities and social and spatial connections in data-rich city context. Overview of design approaches could be understood as contribution to methodological platform for designing people friendly cities.