Urban Form Research Articles

The spatial heterogeneity of urban green space distribution and configuration in Lilongwe City, Malawi.

Urban green spaces provide several benefits related to the quality of urban life. The existence and spatial arrangement of these spaces within neighbourhoods and functional land uses have significant implications for the well-being of urban dwellers. Previous studies on green spaces in urban areas of Malawi have focused on a broader and macro-level perspective, offering insightful information on general trends in different cities. However, there is a significant research shortage in localised understanding, which requires carrying out micro-level assessments concentrating on land use zones and neighbourhoods within these cities. In this study, we used remote sensing data and landscape metrics to understand the distribution and configuration of urban green spaces in the city's neighbourhoods and functional land uses and their relationship with urban form. The study revealed that 20% of neighbourhoods fail to meet the WHO-recommended standard of 9 m2 of green space per person, with a predominant concentration of these undersupplied areas in high-density and quasi-residential zones. In addition, 56.2% of Lilongwe City's total green area was contained under functional land uses. Particularly, high-rise residential, medium-density residential, low-density residential, quasi-residential, high-rise flat area, commercial class, high-rise commercial, heavy industry, light industry, and government land use zones contained 17.3%, 12.0%, 22.2%, 12.0%, 4.1%, 6.4%, 6.1%, 5.0%, 1.6%, and 13.3% of the total green spaces in functional land uses, respectively. Importantly, this research found significant correlations between urban form metrics, namely building coverage, building density, building perimeter area ratio, road density, and the distribution and configuration of urban green spaces. This necessitates an integrated approach to urban planning and design, emphasising the importance of balancing development with green space preservation.

Addressing the sustainable urbanism paradox: tipping points for the operational reconciliation of dense and green morphologies

To improve biodiversity and human living conditions in the Anthropocene, urban forms must reconcile density with vegetation to meet the dual sustainability-liveability challenge. This paradox poses a dilemma for urban planners and is a critical research issue requiring comprehensive analyses. Multi-family residential housing holds the potential to achieve balanced density-greening, proximity ecosystem services and human-nature connectedness, but meeting such objectives relies on finding balanced morphologies and metrics at an operational scale. Analysing 11,593 plots in the Lyon metropolitan area (France) using a systemic approach, we identified critical tipping points in morphology and greening. Density explained only 6% of Plot Greening, while morphology and landscaping accounted for 94%. We identified an open-space ratio (unbuilt area/floor area) >0.3 as a morphological threshold to achieve sustainable green supply. Operational morphologies balancing density and greening were modelled and illustrated across building heights, providing guidelines for emerging regulatory tools in sustainable urban planning.

From urban planning instruments to produced urban forms: Analysis of the eastern extension of Oran (Algeria)

From urban planning instruments to produced urban forms: Analysis of the eastern extension of Oran (Algeria)

Development of a cross-latitude applicable predictive model for solar radiation acquisition potential of urban residential blocks

Existing research has revealed that predictive models can be developed based on urban morphology indicators to assess the potential of solar radiation acquisition (SRA) on building surfaces and provide much faster results compared to simulation software. However, such existing models can only be utilized in specific cities or regions, which restricts their popularity. To fill this scientific gap, this study develops a cross-latitude predictive model for assessing the SRA of buildings. Building solar radiation acquisition capacity, selected key morphology indicators, and cosine of latitude (cosφ) are employed as dependent and independent variables in the model to discuss the interaction between the urban form and the SRA based on the analysis of sixty sample urban residential blocks across nine cities in China with varying latitudes. The obtained results are indicative of relatively high prediction accuracy for the solar radiation acquisition capacity of buildings (with an adjusted R2 of 0.931 for roofs, and 0.962 for exterior walls). As a result, the proposed model has the potential to serve as a valuable tool for incorporating solar radiation considerations into sustainable urban design practices.

Exploring the nexus between water quality and land use/land cover change in an urban watershed in Uruguay: a machine learning approach.

The expansion of urban areas contributes to the growth of impervious surfaces, leading to increased pollution and altering the configuration, composition, and context of land covers. This study employed machine learning methods (partial least square regressor and the Shapley Additive exPlanations) to explore the intricate relationships between urban expansion, land cover changes, and water quality in a watershed with a park and lake. To address this, we first evaluated the spatio-temporal variation of some physicochemical and microbiological water quality variables, generated yearly land cover maps of the basin adopting several machine learning classifiers, and computed the most suitable landscape metrics that better represent the land cover. The main results highlighted the importance of spatial arrangement and the size of the contributing watershed on water quality. Compact urban forms appeared to mitigate the impact on pollutants. This research provides valuable insights into the intricate relationship between landscape characteristics and water quality dynamics, informing targeted watershed management strategies aimed at mitigating pollution and ensuring the health and resilience of aquatic ecosystems.

Algorithm optimization of architectural form through sequential landscape evaluation

Designing architectural and urban spaces based on continuous human spatial experience throughout a sequence may lead to architectural and urban forms not bound to conventional concepts. These forms would be made possible through the combination of a quantitative sequential landscape evaluation and morphological optimization utilizing algorithmic processes. In this study, we introduce a method for evaluating sequential landscapes, in which the configuration of buildings, trees, etc., in view changes as pedestrians move along a particular path, using a genetic algorithm optimization of architectural forms to bring them closer to the designer’s ideals. The method’s validity was tested using two case studies, assuming the design of a sequential landscape in an actual city and park. The results present a more efficient, objective, and reproducible method for designing sequences in buildings, cities, and landscapes, compared to traditional methods.

Urban form and surface temperature inequality in 683 European cities

Despite rapid urbanization and growing heat stress, comprehensive insights into the association between urban form and environmental inequality are lacking. We study the population-weighted Gini coefficient, the measurement of inequality, of the average land surface temperature (LST) in summer in 683 European cities (i.e. Functional Urban Areas) against thirty-four urban form indicators, i.e. population, area, compact ratio, local climate zones (LCZ), presence of grass, impervious surfaces, trees, water and albedo, elevation, aspect, Köppen-Geiger climate classification (KG) and latitude. We calculate density, Moran's I and Entropy measures to quantify cities' spatial structures and diversity. The area of each city is divided into 1 × 1 km spatial units, and inequality among such units is calculated. Using geographically weighted regression (GWR), we found that the impact of factors varies across the cities and that almost 70 % of overall inequality can be explained by urban form. The variables occasionally decreasing LST inequality were population density and concentration, LCZ 9, dry climate, and high latitude. The ones increasing it were urban size, LCZ 3, 5, 6, 8, entropy LCZ, impervious surfaces' density and concentration, trees, high elevation, aspect southwest, and polar climate. Ultimately, the study discusses the findings and proposes spatial strategies for mitigating inequality.

Exploring the effective distance of 3D urban compact form correlated with building energy consumption and optimization strategies

ABSTRACT With the acceleration of urbanization, building energy consumption carbon emissions (BECCE) were increasing, weightily influencing global warming and the social-economic developments in cities. The detailed exploration of the most effective distance of urban three-dimensional (3D) compact form on BECCE guides urban space optimization. In this study, 135 People’s Banks of China (PBC) were taken as samples. Based on the banks building features, socioeconomic conditions, macroclimate, and urban 3D compact form at different buffers, the most effective distance on the BECCE was determined. According to Partial least-squares regression (PLSR), the results show that the most effective distance of the urban compact form on the BECCE was 150 m. The study divided the normalized 3D compactness index (NVCI) values from 135 buildings for the distance of 150 m into five categories and used the geographic detector to recognize statistically obvious differences between the subregions. The natural breakpoint method was used to categorize the study area into five classes, specifically: low, medium-low, medium, medium-high, and high compact form. Based on the geographic detector method result, the compact form of medium, medium high, and high compact form was optimized to low, medium low. The optimization can effectively reduce the BECCE due to changing the compact form of the building by 65.2% or 65.7%. The study combined mathematical statistics with spatial analysis approaches to identify the most effective distance for reducing energy consumption. Our results will contribute toward considerable reductions in the BECCE.

Characterising the evolution of the urban form of zones that accommodate warehousing clusters in the City of Cape Town municipality

Characterising the evolution of the urban form of zones that accommodate warehousing clusters in the City of Cape Town municipality

Exploring the Complexities of Urban Forms and Urban Heat Islands: Insights from the Literature, Methodologies, and Current Status in Morocco

The Urban Heat Island phenomenon (UHI), characterized by elevated temperatures in urban areas compared to their rural surroundings, is highly exacerbated by urbanization and climate change. Understanding the complex relationship between UHI effect and urban form is crucial for effective urban planning and climate mitigation strategies. This paper examines the multifaceted connection between UHIs and urban forms, exploring various methods used to study this relationship. Through a review of the existing literature, we analyze the influence of various urban characteristics on the intensity and spatial distribution of UHIs. Furthermore, we discuss the key methods and technologies, such as remote sensing and modeling, used in advancing our understanding of UHI–urban form interactions. This study then delves into the literature on UHIs within the specific context of Morocco, identifying research gaps and emphasizing the need for more comprehensive research to address them. By translating study findings into actionable urban solutions, this paper suggests contextual mitigation strategies based on the research outcomes. Finally, by synthesizing current research findings and methodologies, this paper seeks to provide insights into the complexities of UHI dynamics and their implications for climate resilience, highlighting the potential of research for forging sustainable and climate-conscious planning strategies in Morocco and across the broader MENA region.

Analysis of the Urban Form of Bechar through the Attributes of Space Syntax “for a More Sustainable City”

Located in the vast Algerian Sahara, Bechar has experienced over the years uncontrolled urban growth. It has evolved from a simple oasis and ksar (traditional settlement) to a city with a contrasting center and segregated outskirts. This growth has led to significant urban fragmentation that affected residents’ quality of life. This research uses space syntax theory to analyze Bechar’s urban configurations and their impact on functionality and sustainability. The study examines integration, connectivity, control, and intelligibility through axial maps and syntactic measures. Findings reveal that areas with high integration show better accessibility and reduced vehicle reliance, while segregated areas face accessibility challenges and limited services. Global integration values range from −1 to 1.192, averaging at 0.767, which indicates different accessibility among neighborhoods. These insights are crucial to identify areas where sustainable urban planning can mitigate adverse effects and enhance city efficiency. We created an axial map using DepthmapX v0.8.0 software and a modified digital QGIS map to collect data and measure Bechar’s urban properties. The methodology we used translates social behaviors into spatial representations, generating interpretative models for social and spatial phenomena. This article provides valuable information on the infrastructure and service needs, guiding strategic resource allocation. The proposed urban design strategies include urban canopies and optimized building ratios to reduce energy consumption and promote sustainability. To conclude, we recommend practical solutions to enhance the sustainability and functioning of urban areas similar to Bechar.

Investigation of Density factor in Urban Morphology on Micro-Climate Parameters in Cold and Dry Areas (Case Study: Tabriz City, Iran)

In recent decades, in third world countries, especially in the Middle East, the concept of urban micro-climate has undergone many changes in the process of development and construction, leading to environmental crises and the discrete structure of energy consumption in urban blocks. The urban form, the product of morphological changes in recent periods, has had significant effects on the micro-climate of the city. The city of Tabriz in the cold and dry areas of Iran has suffered from the inadequacies of the urban form and adverse effects on the micro-climate of the city as a result of unbalanced development. The main aim of research as parametric study on the interactions between urban morphology and microclimate is to investigate density metric to analysis effect amount in micro-climates. The research is analytical-descriptive and method of collecting data in the form of documents includes literature review, modeling and simulation using Envi-met software and density metric explain modes of a hypothetical in 10 scenarios and are presented in the form of two groups. The construction parts of the hypothetical areas are located in the urban area of Tabriz city, Iran. All scenarios were assumed to be in the same area configuration, where buildings are located in 25 plots of 40 m x 40 m. The result shows Investigation the average ratings obtained from microclimatic simulation of the first group of scenarios shows that by keeping FAR constant and changing BSC, one cannot expect a specific sequence of changes in microclimatic parameters in the space around the buildings but in the case of the second scenario group which is presented with constant BSC and variable FAR, there is a significant sequence in the order of the obtained ranks and the change trend in the average parameters. The results show scenario A2 with FAR 1 and BSC 40% with the lowest average value (3.5) of the total of four parameters of simulating the hottest and coldest day has achieved the best result and is introduced as the best scenario. For future researches, it is possible to propose a more focused investigation on each of the mentioned parameters. DOI: https://doi.org/10.52783/pst.544

Impact of Urban Morphology on High-Density Commercial Block Energy Consumption in Severe Cold Regions

In sustainable city development, urban form plays an important role in block energy consumption, and as different environmental contexts and block functions create differences in energy use, it is necessary to study the relationship between morphology and energy consumption under the dual constraints of special environments and special block functions. Urban high-density blocks have concentrated energy consumption, high energy intensity, and complex morphological layout, but the influencing mechanism of the block’s morphology on its energy consumption remains unclear. Accordingly, this study focuses on the mechanism and evaluation method of the influence of morphology on the energy consumption of high-density commercial blocks in severe cold regions. Through Grasshopper model extraction, EnergyPlus performance simulation, Pearson correlation analysis, and linear regression analysis, this study extracts and classifies high-density commercial blocks in Harbin, China, into six basic layout types (Courtyard, Courtyard-T, Slab, Slab-T, Point, Point-T) according to their horizontal and vertical morphology, analyzes the energy consumption characteristics of each basic type, examines the relationships between energy use intensity (EUI) and building density (BD) and between floor area ratio (FAR) and building height standard deviation (BHSD), and constructs theoretical models by controlling variables to study the effect of a single form parameter on block EUI. The research findings are as follows: (1) The annual energy consumption of Point and Slab blocks is relatively low, whereas that of Courtyard and Courtyard-T blocks is higher due to the lack of open space in Courtyards and the poor ventilation in summer. (2) FAR is significantly correlated with the energy consumption of high-density commercial blocks in severe cold regions, while the effects of BD and BHSD are weaker than those of FAR. For every 0.1 increase in BD, every 1 increase in FAR, and every 1(m) increase in BHSD, the Winter Daily EUI of the Slab block changes by +0.87, −2.26, and −0.22 (kWh/m2), respectively, whereas that of the Slab-T block changes by −0.38, +0.68, and +0.08 (kWh/m2), respectively. (3) Controlling other variables, a large BD is theoretically beneficial to energy performance in the blocks, and increasing BD in the range of 0.4–0.55 has a significant effect on lowering energy consumption in Point blocks. EUI increases with the increase in FAR, while the change depends on different block types with the increase in BHSD. This study provides design strategies for high-density commercial blocks in severe cold regions. Under different layout types, though EUI shows different relationships with BD, FAR, and BHSD, Slab-T and Point-T blocks can achieve excellent energy performance by appropriately increasing BD and decreasing FAR, whereas Slab blocks need to decrease BD while increasing FAR. The patterns found in this paper can provide strategic help for policymaking and early urban design.

Spatial imbalance in the digital era: how the digital economy affects urban sprawl in China

ABSTRACT Economic and social activities in the digital age have changed business forms and spatial relations, and identifying evolution of the urban form in the digital age is the key to sustainable urban governance. Based on data from prefecture-level cities in China from 2010 to 2021, this study explores the impact of the digital economy on urban sprawl and the path to its realization, thus providing policy implications for urban governance in the digital economy era. The empirical results show that the digital economy significantly promotes urban sprawl and that the urban sprawl effect caused by the digital economy has regional and scale heterogeneity. Western and medium-sized cities show greater sprawl trends under the influence of the digital economy. Digital economy development can significantly affect residents’ lifestyles and lead to urban sprawl, such as encouraging green, digital, and suburban lifestyles. In addition, the digital economy significantly affects the demand for urban land space, such as the industrial division of labour patterns, urbanization processes, and industrial virtual agglomeration, which are indirect factors leading to urban sprawl.

Unraveling the spatial dynamics: exploring the urban form characteristics and COVID-19 cases in Yogyakarta city, Indonesia

Unraveling the spatial dynamics: exploring the urban form characteristics and COVID-19 cases in Yogyakarta city, Indonesia

Urban spatial structure and air quality in the United States: Evidence from a longitudinal approach

Previous studies on the relationship between urban form and air quality: (1) report mixed results among specific aspects of urban spatial structure (e.g., urban expansion, form, or shape) and (2) use primarily cross-sectional approaches with a single year of data. This study takes advantage of a multi-decade, longitudinal approach to investigate the impact of urban spatial structure on population-weighted concentrations of PM2.5 and NO2. Based on fixed-effect regression models for 481 urban areas in the United States spanning from 1990 to 2015, we found significant associations between various aspects of urban spatial structure and air quality after controlling for meteorological and socio-economic factors. Our results show that population density, compact urban form, circularity, and green space are associated with lower concentrations. Conversely, higher rates of urban expansion, industrial area, and polycentricity are associated with higher concentrations. For large cities (total population: 180,262,404), we found that increasing key factors from each urban spatial structure category (i.e., greenness, population density, compactness, circularity) by a modest 10% results in 10,387 (12,376) fewer deaths for PM2.5 (NO2). We recommend that policymakers adopt comprehensive strategies to increase population density, compactness, and green spaces while slowing urban expansion to reduce the health burden of air quality in US cities.

From Garden Suburb to Urban Center in Goiânia: a Historical Analysis of the Setor Sul (South Sector) (1938-1962)

Objective: The objective of this study is to discuss the occupation of the Setor Sul (south sector)since Attílio Correia Lima's initial proposal, reformulated as a garden neighborhood by Coimbra Bueno's company under Amando Augusto de Godoy's supervision, until it became an urban centrality considering the growth of the city of Goiânia, initially planned to occupy a radius of 4 km from the Praça Cívica (civic square) in 1933. Theoretical Framework: Urban analysis is developed as a resource to understand the urban structure of Goiânia and the role of the Setor Sul (south sector), based on the reflections of the historical-geographical approach (Vasconcellos, 2010). With the data and maps related to these characteristics, the perspectives of Manso (2001; 2018), Daher (2003), Diniz (2007), Ackel (1986; 2007), among others, are considered regarding the conception of Goiânia and the circulation of the modern ideology as premises for configuring the Setor Sul as a garden neighborhood. Thus, attention is drawn to understanding the formation of the city from a conceptual and practical aspect, as its construction unfolded in the morphological changes of the neighborhood in addition to the strict control of immediate land occupation, a fact that effectively occurred in the 1960s-70s. Method: The methodology adopted for this research involves the analysis of poorly systematized documentary sources, linking historical documents to the collection of legislation, decrees, and other legal instruments that shaped the control and land use of Goiânia until the mid-1950s, when the municipality began to assume the management of urbanization in the newly created city. Public archives and data from the Goiânia municipality were sought to organize and observe how the urban form of the neighborhood changed, constituting its process of occupation. Results and Discussion: The results obtained indicate that the occupation of Setor Sul (south sector), from the 1930s to the 1950s, was under the supervision of the State, exerting control over the sale of lots and the permission to occupy them later, as they were considered "land stock". This means, among other things, that land was valued as an exchange and provision of resources for the city's own development. In this sense, the neighborhood, although widely disseminated and detailed in official urbanization plans, had a fragmented occupation, often depending on the government's ability to implement the infrastructure, areas, and public facilities planned in the 1938 project. Through the historical-geographical approach, an urban analysis of Setor Sul is characterized by its connection with the Setor Central and Setor Oeste neighborhoods, and later, with Setor Pedro Ludovico, due to the road system that expanded the urbanized area as a result of Goiânia's intense population growth. In this sense, the research indicates the importance of relating historical data to legislative records as a means to better understand the materiality of the city, going beyond what was initially conceived. Research Implications: The transformations of Setor Sul (South sector) between the decades of 1930-60 are being discussed, considering the different materialization from what the designers had envisioned. The difficulties faced by the municipal administration in providing adequate infrastructure are identified, along with the intense migration that occurred during that period. In this way, reflections between urban history and territorial planning are compared to understand the current features of the neighborhood and enable urban management to mediate its present conflicts. Discussions regarding the preservation of Setor Sul are also included, focusing on its materialized form rather than solely the urbanistic ideas that surround its official history. Originality/Value: This study contributes to the literature by expanding the urban history of the city, incorporating political-administrative aspects and seeking to understand the production of urban space in light of the territorial occupation articulated with the actions that prompted it. The relevance and value of this research are evidenced by explaining the transformations of the neighborhood through the comparison and correlation of documentary sources and the socio-spatial aspects that permeate the formation of the urban landscape.

Impact of urban form and street infrastructure on pedestrian-motorist collisions

This study examines the impact of urban form and street infrastructure on pedestrian safety in Atlanta, Georgia, and Boston, Massachusetts. With a significant rise in pedestrian fatalities over the past decade, understanding how cities’ built environments influence safety is critical. We conducted geospatial analyses and statistical tests, revealing unique patterns in each city. Atlanta’s sprawling, motorist-oriented layout is associated with increased pedestrian accidents, particularly at crosswalks, due to limited land use diversity, arterial roads, and streets with high speed limits and multiple lanes. In contrast, Boston’s compact, pedestrian-oriented design leads to improved safety, featuring safer pedestrian crossings, greater land use diversity, reduced arterial roads and lower speed limits on single-lane streets. This study also highlights the importance of diverse urban forms and pedestrian infrastructure in shaping pedestrian safety. While population density and land use diversity impact accident rates, the presence of crosswalks and street configurations play crucial roles. Our findings underscore the urgency for urban planners to prioritize pedestrian safety through targeted interventions, such as enhancing crosswalks, reducing speed limits and promoting mixed land use. Future research should explore additional variables, alternative modelling techniques and non-linear approaches to gain a more comprehensive understanding of these complex relationships.

Unveiling the Urban Morphology of Small Towns in the Eastern Qinba Mountains: Integrating Earth Observation and Morphometric Analysis

In the context of the current information age, leveraging Earth observation (EO) technology and spatial analysis methods enables a more accurate understanding of the characteristics of small towns. This study conducted an in-depth analysis of the urban morphology of small towns in the Qinba Mountain Area of Southern Shaanxi by employing large-scale data analysis and innovative urban form measurement methods. The U-Net3+ model, based on deep learning technology, combined with the concave hull algorithm, was used to extract and precisely define the boundaries of 31,799 buildings and small towns. The morphological characteristics of the town core were measured, and the core areas of the small towns were defined using calculated tessellation cells. Hierarchical clustering methods were applied to analyze 12 characteristic indicators of 89 towns, and various metrics were calculated to determine the optimal number of clusters. The analysis identified eight distinct clusters based on the towns’ morphological differences. Significant morphological differences between the small towns in the Qinba Mountain Area were observed. The clustering results revealed that the towns exhibited diverse shapes and distributions, ranging from irregular and sparse to compact and dense forms, reflecting distinct layout patterns influenced by the unique context of each town. The use of the morphometric method, based on cellular and biological morphometry, provided a new perspective on the urban form and deepened the understanding of the spatial structure of the small towns from a micro perspective. These findings not only contribute to the development of quantitative morphological indicators for town development and planning but also demonstrate a novel, data-driven approach to conventional urban morphology studies.

Addressing urban social and spatial stratification: testing the potential for integration of public housing

The legacy of public housing in the American city is dominated by a condition of social and spatial stratification. In New York City, inadequate funding exacerbates the conditions of isolated public housing residents, raising questions about the stability and sustainability of public housing. At a time when a severe housing crisis is impacting on the affordability of and access to urban housing generally, addressing this legacy of public housing can be the impetus for a long-term vision that integrates public housing into the fabric of the city, providing new housing options for public housing residents while merging them into mixed-income neighbourhoods with redefined public spaces and increased services and amenities. This approach to a long-term vision, built around high-density mid-rise development, contrasts with the incremental approach currently expedient due to the social and political climate surrounding public housing. However, current resistance to an aggressive strategy belies another part of the legacy of public housing: the major demolition of city streets and blocks that made possible the anti-urban planning that undergirds this isolation and stratification. Empirical evidence supports urban design that builds on the nineteenth-century city’s urban form of small blocks and active streets as the foundation for vital urban neighbourhoods. This study of the political and urban design efforts to address the severe challenges facing public housing tests the potential for a path, when the political and social climate allows, for an aggressive strategy to preserve public housing that centres on social and spatial integration.