Pattern recognition and transformational growth adjustments alongside ring roads: Descriptive mapping from four case studies

Abstract

This paper aims to examine the existing patterns of ring roads in four diverse cities—Greater Amman in Jordan, Kuwait City in Kuwait, Oslo in Norway, and Greater Helsinki in Finland—to explore how these patterns respond to growth and elucidate the contemporary urban practices of these cities. Spatial mapping was used to measure density, mixed land use, and accessibility and identify growth characteristics parallel to the tracing processes of spatial insertion, replacement, and use change. The results illustrate that in master plans, the areas alongside ring roads were delineated either too vaguely or too prescriptively. The existing patterns of road and land use, particularly high residential concentrations, challenge the functionality of ring roads and negatively affects urban spatial qualities and services that should accompany the high-density study areas. Cumulatively, they have formed spatial non-homogeneities that challenge accessibility and dependency factors. In addition, the growth indicators represent urbanisation processes, generative schemes, and counter-formulation actions, where the replacement of the physical structure and functional character of ring roads as road restructuring is a prerequisite for generating less vulnerable urban structures. Therefore, the cases presented here raise important questions about the challenges and potential of ring roads and the areas alongside them in urban structures, in the context of the sustainable growth agenda.