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The Configurational Structures of Social Spaces: Space Syntax and Urban Morphology in the Context of Analytical, Evidence-Based Design
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The Configurational Structures of Social Spaces: Space Syntax and Urban Morphology in the Context of Analytical, Evidence-Based Design
by Kayvan KarimiORCID
The Bartlett School of Architecture, UCL, London WC1H 0QB, UK
Land 2023, 12(11), 2084; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12112084
Received: 3 September 2023 / Revised: 14 November 2023 / Accepted: 16 November 2023 / Published: 20 November 2023
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban Morphology: A Perspective from Space)
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Abstract
This article presents an argument for the enhanced utilisation of urban morphology in urban design, drawing inspiration from space syntax theory and methodologies, advocating for the integration of social, economic, and cultural considerations alongside physical structures. This perspective shift entails transitioning from descriptive analysis to quantitative inquiries for the prediction and assessment of urban dynamics. By incorporating spatial analysis and socio-economic factors, urban morphology offers a competent understanding of the complexities inherent to urban environments. This comprehension supports the development of evidence-based designs and predictive models that enable such an approach in urban design. To operationalise this approach, the article introduces a methodology that interlinks urban morphology and design through a cyclic process encompassing analysis, design, evaluation, and further design development. This framework is illustrated through the case study of Jilin City, where an assessment of the public transport system led to a comprehensive urban design strategy. The study demonstrates how urban morphology insights, supported by analytical investigations enabled by space syntax methodology, can actively influence urban design and planning practices. By effectively embedding this morphological approach, urban designers and planners acquire the tools needed to navigate the evolving urban systems while respecting the interplay between physical structures and human existence. The article concludes by highlighting the need for an ongoing evolution of this approach to maintain relevance in shaping future urban settings
Guidelines for diagnosis and management of beta-thalassemia intermedia
No full textBeta-thalassemia intermedia (β-TI) is a genetic variant of beta-thalassemias with a clinical disorder whose severity falls between thalassemia minor and thalassemia major. Different genetic defects are involved in this disorder and, based on severity of disease, clinical complications like skeletal deformities and growth retardation, splenomegaly, extramedullary hematopoiesis, heart failure, and endocrine disorders may be present in untreated patients. Precise diagnosis and management are essential in these patients for prevention of later clinical complications. Diagnosis of TI is based on clinical and laboratory data. There are some treatment strategies like modulation of gamma-globulin chain production with hydroxyurea or other drugs, transfusion, splenectomy, and stem cell transplantation. Iron chelation therapy is also needed in many of these patients even if they are not transfused. The aim of this manuscript is to review the clinical manifestations, complications, genetic defects, and unmet treatments needs in TI.Aessopos A, 2007, ATHEROSCLEROSIS, V191, P427, DOI 10.1016-j.atherosclerosis.2006.04.015; Aessopos A, 2007, TRANSFUSION, V47, P792, DOI 10.1111-j.1537-2995.2007.01192.x; Amoozgar H, 2011, EUR J HAEMATOL, V85, P549; Atichartakarn V, 2003, INT J HEMATOL, V78, P139, DOI 10.1007-BF02983382; Cadili A, 2008, AM J MED, V121, P371, DOI 10.1016-j.amjmed.2008.02.014; CAMASCHELLA C, 1995, HAEMATOLOGICA, V80, P58; Camaschella C, 1997, AM J HEMATOL, V55, P83, DOI 10.1002-(SICI)1096-8652(199706)55:283::AID-AJH63.3.CO;2-M; Cappellini MD, 2005, SEMIN HEMATOL, V42, pS19, DOI 10.1053-j.seminhematol.2005.01.001; Cappellini MD, 2000, BRIT J HAEMATOL, V111, P467, DOI 10.1046-j.1365-2141.2000.02376.x; Derakhshan A, 2008, SAUDI J KIDNEY DIS T, V19, P206; De Sanctis V, 1998, J PEDIATR ENDOCR MET, V11, P965; Dixit A, 2005, ANN HEMATOL, V84, P441, DOI 10.1007-s00277-005-1026-4; Elalfy MS, 2013, EUR J HAEMATOL, V91, P522, DOI 10.1111-ejh.12182; El Rassi F, 2008, PEDIATR ANN, V37, P322; Galanello R, 1998, ANN NY ACAD SCI, V850, P325, DOI 10.1111-j.1749-6632.1998.tb10489.x; Gamberini MR1, 2004, PEDIAT ENDOCRINOL S2, P319; Gladwin MT, 2003, NAT MED, V9, P496, DOI 10.1038-nm0503-496; Gladwin MT, 2008, NEW ENGL J MED, V359, P2254, DOI 10.1056-NEJMra0804411; Haddad A, 2014, TURK J HEMATOL, V31, P5, DOI 10.4274-Tjh.2014.0032; Haghpanah S, 2014, HEMATOLOGY, V19, P187, DOI 10.1179-1607845413Y.0000000121; Harmatz P, 2008, HAEMATOL-HEMATOL J, V93, P1247, DOI 10.3324-haematol.12352; Karimi M, 2012, INT J HEMATOL, V95, P51, DOI 10.1007-s12185-011-0985-6; Karimi M, 2012, ANN HEMATOL, V91, P1833, DOI 10.1007-s00277-012-1527-x; Karimi M, 2009, EUR J HAEMATOL, V82, P213, DOI 10.1111-j.1600-0609.2008.01192.x; Karimi M, 2012, HEMATOLOGY, V17, P122, DOI 10.1179-102453312X13221316477778; Karimi M, 2010, EUR J HAEMATOL, V84, P52, DOI 10.1111-j.1600-0609.2009.01356.x; Karimi M, 2014, HEMATOLOGY; Karimi M, 2007, INT J LAB HEMATOL, V29, P321, DOI 10.1111-j.1365-2257.2006.00856.x; Karimi M, 2010, THROMB HAEMOSTASIS, V103, P989, DOI 10.1160-TH09-09-0661; Karimi M, 2011, EUR J INTERN MED, V22, P607, DOI 10.1016-j.ejim.2011.05.013; Karimi M, 2008, LANCET, V372, P1436, DOI 10.1016-S0140-6736(08)61590-1; Karimi M, 2008, AM J HEMATOL, V83, P77, DOI 10.1002-ajh.20938; Karimi M, 2005, J PEDIAT HEMATOL ONC, V27, P380, DOI 10.1097-01.mph.0000174386.13109.28; Karimi M, 2010, PEDIATR HEMAT ONCOL, V27, P205, DOI 10.3109-08880011003639952; Mancuso A, 2006, HEMOGLOBIN, V30, P119, DOI 10.1080-03630260500455565; Manfre L, 1999, AM J ROENTGENOL, V173, P1477; Matta BN, 2013, J EUR ACAD DERMATOL; Moorchung N, 2006, HAEMA, V9, P505; Musallam KM, 2011, EUR J HAEMATOL, V87, P73, DOI 10.1111-j.1600-0609.2011.01623.x; Musallam KM, 2011, HAEMATOL-HEMATOL J, V96, P1605, DOI 10.3324-haematol.2011.047852; Musallam KM, 2012, THROMB RES, V130, P695, DOI 10.1016-j.thromres.2012.07.013; Olivieri NF, 1999, NEW ENGL J MED, V341, P99, DOI 10.1056-NEJM199907083410207; Pakbaz Z, 2005, ANN NY ACAD SCI, V1054, P457, DOI 10.1196-annals.1345.059; Pierre T.G., 2005, BLOOD, V105, P855; Rachid H, 2010, EUR SPINE J, V19, P871; Rachmilewitz A, 2011, BLOOD, V118, P3479; Rachmilewitz EA, 1998, ANN NY ACAD SCI, V850, P129, DOI 10.1111-j.1749-6632.1998.tb10470.x; Pantalone GR, 2010, BRIT J HAEMATOL, V150, P245, DOI 10.1111-j.1365-2141.2010.08180.x; Rund D, 2005, NEW ENGL J MED, V353, P1135, DOI 10.1056-NEJMra050436; SPANOS T, 1990, VOX SANG, V58, P50; Taher A, 2006, THROMB HAEMOSTASIS, V96, P488, DOI 10.1160-TH06-05-0267; Taher A, 2006, BLOOD CELL MOL DIS, V37, P12, DOI 10.1016-j.bcmd.2006.04.005; Taher AT, 2013, ANN HEMATOL, V92, P1485, DOI 10.1007-s00277-013-1808-z; Taher AT, 2011, BRIT J HAEMATOL, V152, P512, DOI 10.1111-j.1365-2141.2010.08486.x; Taher AT, 2010, J THROMB HAEMOST, V8, P2152, DOI 10.1111-j.1538-7836.2010.03940.x; Taher AT, 2010, J THROMB HAEMOST, V8, P54, DOI 10.1111-j.1538-7836.2009.03651.x; Taher AT, 2010, BLOOD, V115, P1886, DOI 10.1182-blood-2009-09-243154; Taher AT, 2012, BLOOD REV, V26, pS24, DOI 10.1016-S0268-960X(12)70008-5; Thein SL, 2004, BRIT J HAEMATOL, V124, P264, DOI 10.1046-j.1365-2141.2003.04769.x; Voskaridou E, 2010, BRIT J HAEMATOL, V148, P332, DOI 10.1111-j.1365-2141.2009.07930.x; WEATHERALL D, 1995, MOL MED TODAY, V1, P15, DOI 10.1016-1357-4310(95)80014-X; Weatherall DJ, 2001, J HEMATOL S1, V86, P186; Weatherall DJ, 2001, NAT REV GENET, V2, P245, DOI 10.1038-35066048; Wood JC, 2005, BLOOD, V106, P1460, DOI 10.1182-blood-2004-10-39821
Non-linear Urban Growth Dynamics: An analytical, spatial network-based assessment of the Metropolitan area of Tehran and its relationship with underlying social, economic and political processes
No full textThis research investigates urban growth dynamics using a spatial network model to explore how interactions between bottom-up growth and top-down planning shape spatial patterns and types. It begins by referring to the paradox of intensified informal growth as an unintended consequence of development planning, thereby situating a critical discussion on how the interaction between these drivers shapes trajectories of urban transformation and emerging spatial typologies. The research is grounded in space syntax theory, which posits a reciprocal relationship between spatial configuration and social structure, suggesting that insights into one can illuminate the other. Accordingly, the study investigates spatial typologies as the outcome of dynamic interactions between population growth and regulatory frameworks. While central planning establishes a structural basis for urban development, the findings underscore its limitations, revealing heterogeneous growth patterns and varied spatial arrangements that emerge even under ostensibly uniform planning regimes. This variability highlights the inherent complexities of urbanization and the constraints of centralized approaches in addressing its multifaceted nature.
Using a mixed-methods approach, the study combines quantitative modelling with qualitative reasoning to model the city as a spatial network, analysing the interplay between spatial organization, spatial morphology, planning policies, and socio-political factors. This approach highlights the complex interdependencies between spatial organization and socio-political dynamics shaped by numerous, non-linear parameters. By examining these dynamics, the study bridges a gap in conventional urban planning discourse, with a tendency of direct classification and explanations for urban conditions and instead suggests that the emergent types shape a spectrum of conditions that accommodate the diverse social groups.
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On the slopes of Vesuvius: configuration as a thread between hazard and opportunity
No full textThis paper focuses on the urban agglomeration that has gone growing up along the centuries on the western side of Vesuvius, a still active and fearsome volcano, few kilometres southeast from Naples. In view of the dimension of the agglomeration and of the spontaneous and unplanned way it has been growing, the purpose is to investigate on the actual role Vesuvius – as an element of both danger and richness – has gone assuming in the urban self-organization. This paper will analyse the grid configuration of the whole settlement, in order to discuss the way Mount Vesuvius has been interiorized (if it actually has been) in the spatial choices and behaviour of the local communities so as to benefit from its presence and to co-exist with its threat. Three major results are expected from the findings: to examine and verify the actual resilience of the whole agglomeration, so as to evaluate the extent to which the concern and alarm are actually justified; to analyse the configurational state of the system in order to pinpoint possible actions for risk mitigation; more in general, and aside from the case of the Vesuvius area, to evaluate how risk from natural hazard is spontaneously mitigated in self-organized urban spaces; and if self-organized urban structures, when exposed to natural hazards, really work better than we may think or fear
The impact of a new public transport system on neighbourhoods surrounding stations: The cases of Bermondsey and West Ham with the Jubilee Line extension in London
No full text[EN] The impact of new public transport systems on towns and suburbs has been widely considered to be a significant aspect of urban development. However, spatial configurations which could stimulate transformation around neighbourhood of stations have not been clearly identified. It could be argued that the implementation of transport systems and the creation of new stations would enhance capacity of transport network and accessibility around vicinity of
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Line Extension in London using Space Syntax measures. A spatial analysis with demographic and land use data reveals that the location of stations within urban layout would be the determinant in optimising socio-economic development in
the neighbourhoods. It also suggests that Space Syntax could be an effective analytical methodology to understand the relationship between transport system and urban morphologyChen, PN.; Karimi, K. (2018). The impact of a new public transport system on neighbourhoods surrounding stations: The cases of Bermondsey and West Ham with the Jubilee Line extension in London. En 24th ISUF International Conference. Book of Papers. Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. 1449-1459. https://doi.org/10.4995/ISUF2017.2017.5971OCS1449145
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Using space syntax to analyze stress perception in open public space
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