Space Syntax has developed a 4-part approach to the planning and design of future cities, urban places and buildings. Although each case is treated uniquely, the 4-part approach provides a robust framework to address the needs of individual projects.
1. Urban/Building Data Collective
We describe the physical form and functional performance of building or urban areas in terms of their social, economic, environmental and physical characteristics, including human behaviour, land use, land value and spatial accessibility patterns. Highly visual databases are created to clearly describe physical form and functional performance.
2. Urban/Building Performance Model
The Data Collective is analysed to explore correlations and associations within it. We explain how functional performance is influenced by a combination of spatial layout and land use attraction.
3. Urban/Building Strategy
We make recommendations on the urban or building development objectives that can be pursued as well as the design principles that should underpin them. A set of issues, opportunities and constraints is identified, which can later be addressed through development proposals. We help to conceive the physical and spatial form of these proposals by creating, simulating and optimising design options in plan, section, elevation and three-dimensional form.
4. Urban/Building Impact Analysis
The likely impacts of physical and spatial development strategies on performance characteristics are described, including human behaviour, land use, land value and spatial accessibility patterns.
The advice we provide, based on the analysis we produce, informs decision-making and stakeholder discussions.
1. Urban/Building Data Collective
Space Syntax uses Geospatial Information System software with Space SyntaxTM software at its core to compile, visualise and analyse data. Components of the Urban Data Collective include:
1.1 Urban/Building Form
Spatial Attraction
Analysis of the ease of access for people moving to, through and around a building or urban area (the site) addressing the following components:
– the location of the site within the wider building or city
– the existing linkage between the site and its immediate setting
– the existing layout of the site in terms of Spatial Accessibility values, hierarchy and distribution
– the existing landscape character, specifically in terms of active/passive/blank frontages.
Land Use – Building Attraction
Analysis of the location and capacity of individual building land uses such as shops, visitor attractions, restaurants and common areas.
Land Use – Transport Attraction
Analysis of the location and capacity of public and private transport land uses such as stations, stops & car parks.
1.2 Urban/Building Performance
Transport
– pedestrian movement pattern
– cycle movement patterns
– vehicle movement pattern
– parking pattern
– public transport usage pattern.
Economic
– land value pattern
– rental value pattern.
2. Urban/Building Performance Model
The various datasets of the Urban Data Collective are analysed using multiple regression analysis to establish correlational associations. In doing so, Space Syntax “tells the story” of how the performance of a building or urban area is influenced by its physical and spatial form. The key deliverables from this stage of work are:
2.1 Urban/Building Diagnosis
The Diagnosis is a key deliverable, establishing a science-based foundation for the later physical and spatial design work. Using maps and statistical charts in combination with Space Syntax’s experience and expertise in urban analysis, we provide an evidence-based description of the relationships found between built form and functional performance.
3. Urban/Building Strategy
3.1 Issues, Objectives & Design Principles
On the basis of the Urban/Building Diagnosis, Space Syntax generates a set of social, economic and environmental issues that the physical and spatial design process can address. Where possible, these issues will be stated as measurable objectives such as increases in Spatial Accessibility and Land Use Attraction. The means by which these issues and objectives can be achieved through physical and spatial change will then be described in terms of design principles that can be followed during the physical and spatial design process.
Space Syntax provides expert commentaries on third party development proposals as well as direct input to design proposals.
3.2 Opportunities & Constraints Analysis
Space Syntax creates graphic, location-specific depictions, first, to identify places where physical and spatial change is highly desirable and, second, to highlight aspects of physical and spatial form that may constrain change. An Opportunities & Constraints report provides an essential, highly valuable bridge between analysis and action. The results of the Urban Diagnosis are used in combination with the results of the Issues, Objectives & Design Principles work to target locations that can be addressed by the physical and spatial design process.
4. Urban/Building Impact Analysis Model
Performance Models are transformed into Forecast Models – using the findings of the multiple regression analysis – to model Urban/Building Strategy ideas, including changes in:
Spatial Attraction
Land Use – Building Attraction
Land Use – Transport Attraction
and to demonstrate the likely impacts of these changes on functional performance characteristics such as human behaviour and land value patterns.