The use of space syntax method in mapping passive contacts in slum area of Semanggi, Surakarta

Abstract

Social interactions happen anytime and anywhere, started with human actions and/or movements. These movements lead to a meeting between people indicating opportunities to know and to admit the existence of each other and discover each other’s nature through observations and conversations. This is called `passive contact`. This research is conducted to test the passive contacts that happen in settlement using space syntax method and then compare it with direct observation. Space syntax works objectively without involving goals and motivation, assuming nothing about the individual and their cognitive capacity explicitly, despite human are moving and socializing to another directed by their cognition. Spatial configuration used in spatial layout of urban space or a settlement, analysed by space syntax methods producing an axial map that presents the degree of connectivity, integrity and intelligibility value. This research used case study method with Semanggi as the case. The results of this research show that space syntax method is not enough to explain how passive contact can be formed. Therefore, additional research needs to be done to cover the factors that can not be covered by space syntax analysis. Direct observation in certain periods is considered very effective to cover the gap of analysis that space syntax could not cover.