Space Syntax Approach Research Articles

Application of access graphs and home culture: Examining factors relative to climate and privacy in Iranian houses

In the recent past, access graphs have been applied as a space syntax technique to analyze the spatial configuration of buildings in correlation with the social concepts. The aim of this study is to show the deficiencies in the use of the space syntax method in the examining of spatial relation in traditional houses in Iran. Traditional Iranian houses consider climate and privacy as very important factors for generating a sound social relationship between individual house and its occupants. It examined these factors in the cities of Masouleh, Gilan, Yazd and Shiraz using access graphs. In order to understand the two factors namely; cultural and climatic factors affecting the spatial relations in Iranian traditional houses during the varied seasons, the findings in this study are shown in three graphs rather than just the one as in a usual space syntax approach. This study also shows the necessity for the application of two graphs to represent the winter and summer use of interior spaces, and the use of an overall triple graph to demonstrate the entire house based on the use of Iranian home culture with respect to distinguishing the various functions of the rooms. Key words: Spatial configuration, access graph, social relation, privacy, seasonal movement.

The persistence of suburban centres in Greater London: combining Conzenian and space syntax approaches

The relationship between settlement form and the historical persistence of concentrations of diverse socio-economic activity in Greater London’s suburban centres through successive phases of rapid urban transformation is examined. Particular consideration is given to the development of three suburbs in Greater London: Barnet, South Norwood and Surbiton. Conzenian and space syntax approaches are combined within an integrated GIS environment. Both these approaches identify the historical grain of settlement forms as the key to understanding how socio-economic activity becomes organized in the built environment. Using Surbiton as a case study the analysis demonstrates firstly, how the configuration of Greater London’s historical road network relates to the persistence of socio-economic activity in the built environment over time, and secondly, how diverse, localized patterns of such activity are accessible at a range of morphological scales. It is concluded that the relationship between suburban built form and socioeconomic activity is both configurational and historical in nature.

Integration of space syntax into GIS for modelling urban spaces

In the past, many methods of spatial analysis have been developed for a better understanding and modelling of real-world phenomena. However there is still a need for exploration of new analytical techniques for modelling urban spaces. Space syntax models the spatial configurations of urban spaces by using a connectivity graph representation. Such a configuration of space identifies patterns that can be used to study urban structures and human behaviours. This paper proposes methodological and practical evaluations of the potential of the space syntax approach within GIS. We present the main principles that are the basis of space syntax, in addition to methodological perspectives for a closer integration with GIS, which should be of use for many GIS applications, such as urban planning and design.