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Buildings
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Spatial Structure Network and Urban Analysis for Sustainable Development
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Spatial Structure Network and Urban Analysis for Sustainable Development

A special issue of Buildings (ISSN 2075-5309). This special issue belongs to the section "Architectural Design, Urban Science, and Real Estate".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 February 2024) | Viewed by 14907

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Asma Rejeb Bouzgarrou

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
National School of Architecture and Urban Planning, University of Carthage, Carthage 1054, Tunisia
Interests: urban landscape; geographic information system; urban morphology; GIScience studies; structural analysis; space syntax
Prof. Dr. Songnian Li

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Civil Engineering, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, ON, Canada
Interests: big geospatial data analytics; data mining and knowledge discovery; human mobility; spatio-temporal dynamics; citizen science; digital twins for smart cities
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Humans face considerable challenges in terms of urbanization, also including pollution, heat island effects, habitat fragmentation, loss of ecosystem services, pressures on urban safety, protected historic sites, and, in general, urban landscape changes. Over these, human interaction becomes more complicated by spatial structure networks, including urban networks, trade networks, social networks, innovation networks, human-land interaction networks, and the flow characteristics of various network parts. As a result, it is imperative to study the structural features and evolutionary law of complex spatial structure networks in this context of rapid urbanization and flow space.

This theme encourages research on the spatial logic and social implications of new forms of appropriating urban space at all scales. We aim to overview the forces that shape urban space appropriation—economic theory, location analysis, urban design principles, user organization models, and urban governance—and recommend urban planners, geographers, policymakers, and designers to support sound environmental management.

Particularly regarding the complexity of this system network and the recently formed and rapidly developed uncertainty quantification, this Special Issue will focus on new trends and characteristics of complex system networks such as urbanization, urban and social-economic spatial organization, and so on, to promote the interdisciplinary integration of geography, urban science, complex systematic science, big data and information science, social economics, and other disciplines. The aim is to enhance theoretical and empirical studies on the complexity of spatial networks. Original research, as well as review articles, are requested. Potential themes relevant to this research topic include, but are not limited to:

  • Structural analysis and geographic information system (GIS) applications on the urban territory
  • Spatial explorations of narratives, literary and imaginary places
  • GIS and spatial analysis, including 3D modeling and spatial statistics
  • Deep mapping, experiences of places
  • Territorial representations, transgressions and boundaries
  • Mapping mobility, spatial connections and networks
  • Linking the map and the text: mixed-method approaches
  • Methods based on spatial analyses for characterizing urban forms impacts

Dr. Asma Rejeb Bouzgarrou
Prof. Dr. Songnian Li
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Buildings is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • spatial analysis
  • GIS sciences
  • urban sciences
  • territorial representations
  • spatial statistics
  • mobility
  • geographic information system

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

17 pages, 2483 KiB  
Article
Exploring the Limitations of Pedestrian Route Directness: A Correlation between Sensitivity and Radius Variability
by Farah Daghash, Rim Anabtawi, Young-Ji Byon and Khaled Alawadi
Buildings 2023, 13(10), 2612; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings13102612 - 17 Oct 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1871
Abstract
Amid the growing emphasis on the environmental and health benefits of walking, enhanced network connectivity emerges as a significant determinant in promoting pedestrian activity, as proven by scholars statistically and theoretically. Recent academic endeavors have introduced metrics such as pedestrian route directness (PRD) [...] Read more.
Amid the growing emphasis on the environmental and health benefits of walking, enhanced network connectivity emerges as a significant determinant in promoting pedestrian activity, as proven by scholars statistically and theoretically. Recent academic endeavors have introduced metrics such as pedestrian route directness (PRD) to measure connectivity, which maps the directness of routes between critical origins and destinations of the urban layout. However, there have been concerns from scholars about the limitations of PRD in theory, especially its sensitivity to larger radii of analysis. Addressing this theoretical inconsistency, this paper employs Pearson’s correlation and linear regression analysis to explore the correlation between the radius of analysis and variance of results, the significance of this correlation for subsequent research, and the geographical context’s influence on metric selection. The findings have revealed an r-value of −0.82, suggesting a strong and negative correlation. Moreover, the p-value of 0.0003 demonstrates the significance of the correlation and the rejection of the null hypothesis. These results bridge the gap between theoretical discussions and empirical analysis, revealing that, as the analysis radius expands, the sensitivity of results diminishes. The findings of this study hold significant implications for policy development and regulation of PRD, offering crucial insights that particularly advance the field of street connectivity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Spatial Structure Network and Urban Analysis for Sustainable Development)
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16 pages, 2999 KiB  
Article
An Integrated Analysis of the Urban Form of Residential Areas in Romania
by Teodora Ungureanu and Teodora Melania Șoimoșan
Buildings 2023, 13(10), 2525; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings13102525 - 5 Oct 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1498
Abstract
Romanian cities are facing two opposing patterns of urban development that are common worldwide: a significant number of small cities are undergoing a process of shrinkage, while large cities are experiencing dense urban sprawl. This study examines the framework of the current legislation [...] Read more.
Romanian cities are facing two opposing patterns of urban development that are common worldwide: a significant number of small cities are undergoing a process of shrinkage, while large cities are experiencing dense urban sprawl. This study examines the framework of the current legislation and urban codes that impact the growth of Romanian cities. The aim is to establish a critical analysis of the current urban codes of residential areas in Romania and to create a framework for an integrated neighbourhood tool of analysis for Romanian residential areas, using urban form as a starting point. This direction starts from the fact that international documents such as the “New Leipzig Charter” recommend a resilient and environmentally friendly approach to urban development, while current Romanian normative documents on resilience and sustainability focus mostly on buildings, ignoring a broader vision that includes the urban scale of the neighbourhood or city while considering the multidisciplinary requirement for understanding urban morphology and phenomena. Existing urban legislation in Romania is characterised by several deficiencies resulting from the fragmentation of outdated regulatory bodies in the field of urban planning. Furthermore, this study has demonstrated that urban indicators can serve as a versatile tool for the assessment and enhancement of residential areas in the country. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Spatial Structure Network and Urban Analysis for Sustainable Development)
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17 pages, 10542 KiB  
Article
A Comparative Analysis of Museum Accessibility in High-Density Asian Cities: Case Studies from Seoul and Tokyo
by Xiaolong Zhao, Jinju Lee and Kwanseon Hong
Buildings 2023, 13(8), 1886; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings13081886 - 25 Jul 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1785
Abstract
We investigated the relationship between urban accessibility of museums in the urban spaces of Tokyo and Seoul within limited travel distances. Similarities and differences were identified in the museum accessibility between the two cities. The urban accessibility of museums was set as the [...] Read more.
We investigated the relationship between urban accessibility of museums in the urban spaces of Tokyo and Seoul within limited travel distances. Similarities and differences were identified in the museum accessibility between the two cities. The urban accessibility of museums was set as the dependent variable, calculated via space syntax. For the spatial accessibility of museums, five walking ranges (1000–2000 m) were set as independent variables, with a distance of 250 m as the basic unit. Data normality and independence of the derived data were checked, and polynomial curve fitting was performed to interpret the accessibility of museums in each city. A comparative analysis was conducted on museum accessibility. The results show areas with a high concentration of museums in Tokyo and Seoul partially deviated from the center of the urban hierarchy. The urban and spatial accessibilities of museums in both cities quantitatively correlated with limited travel distances. Museum visitors in Tokyo were more likely to have relatively free-flowing routes in the city. The museums in Seoul had a lower overall accessibility than those in Tokyo, and travel patterns and routes to these museums were likely to be restricted when located in urban areas and consequently resembled a forced movement pattern. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Spatial Structure Network and Urban Analysis for Sustainable Development)
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26 pages, 12548 KiB  
Article
Permeability and Its Measurements Tested in Abstract Forms and Four Chinese New Towns
by Xiaoling Dai, Qi Dong, Haofeng Wang, Jiafeng Jin and Xin Fang
Buildings 2023, 13(7), 1779; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings13071779 - 12 Jul 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1850
Abstract
It is widely accepted that permeability is a key attribute for sustainable development, but two puzzles remain unsolved. First, there is no consensus on its measurement. Second, there are still many new urban developments that lack this quality; regardless, it is a well-known [...] Read more.
It is widely accepted that permeability is a key attribute for sustainable development, but two puzzles remain unsolved. First, there is no consensus on its measurement. Second, there are still many new urban developments that lack this quality; regardless, it is a well-known urban design principle. This paper reviews different permeability measurements and proposes to categorize them into four quadrants, then compares eleven of them with four sets of abstract forms and four real cases from Southeast China. The two measures rooted in space syntax theory demonstrate their robustness in the abstract forms. In contrast, the area-based measures cannot quantify the differences between places with similar content. In the actual case studies, by comparing the differences between original plans and the real built forms, we suggest that three traps impair their permeability and therefore deviate greatly from the initial design visions, resulting in automobile-oriented travel patterns. The two new measures were used to quantify the different levels of permeability in these four cases. It is concluded that the qualitative urban design principles may fail to be delivered without a quantitative and precise description of urban form. Consistent measures and more empirical cases are needed to reveal the contribution of spatial networks to sustainable development. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Spatial Structure Network and Urban Analysis for Sustainable Development)
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25 pages, 28795 KiB  
Article
Women-Oriented Evaluation of Perceived Safety of Walking Routes between Home and Mass Transit: A Case Study and Methodology Test in Guangzhou
by Qinyu Cui, Pixin Gong, Guang Yang, Shuyu Zhang, Yiting Huang, Shixuan Shen, Bingcai Wei and Yu Chen
Buildings 2023, 13(3), 715; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings13030715 - 8 Mar 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3223
Abstract
Streets are an essential element of urban safety governance and urban design, but they are designed with little regard for possible gender differences. This study proposes a safety perception evaluation method from the female perspective based on street view images (SVIs) and mobile [...] Read more.
Streets are an essential element of urban safety governance and urban design, but they are designed with little regard for possible gender differences. This study proposes a safety perception evaluation method from the female perspective based on street view images (SVIs) and mobile phone data, taking the central city of Guangzhou as an example. The method relies on crowdsourced data and uses a machine learning model to predict the safety perception map. It combines the simulation of women’s walking commuting paths to analyse the areas that need to be prioritised for improvement. Multiple linear regression was used to explain the relationship between safety perception and visual elements. The results showed the following: (1) There were differences in safety perceptions across genders. Women gave overall lower safety scores and a more dispersed distribution of scores. (2) Approximately 11% of the streets in the study area showed weak perceived safety, and approximately 3% of these streets have high pedestrian flows and require priority improvements. (3) Safe visual elements in SVIs included the existence of roads, sidewalks, cars, railways, people, skyscrapers, and trees. Our findings can help urban designers determine how to evaluate urban safety and where to optimise key areas. Both have practical implications for urban planners seeking to create urban environments that promote greater safety. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Spatial Structure Network and Urban Analysis for Sustainable Development)
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14 pages, 7126 KiB  
Article
Analysis of Urban Spatial Accessibility of Museums within the Scope of Seoul
by Xiaolong Zhao and Jungmook Moon
Buildings 2022, 12(10), 1749; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings12101749 - 20 Oct 2022
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2505
Abstract
While urban accessibility of museums plays a crucial role in the growth of a cultural city, in reality, an uneven distribution of museums exists in cities. In particular, museums are concentrated in certain regions or located in a place that is different from [...] Read more.
While urban accessibility of museums plays a crucial role in the growth of a cultural city, in reality, an uneven distribution of museums exists in cities. In particular, museums are concentrated in certain regions or located in a place that is different from the cognitive experience of local residents. To solve this issue, this study quantified the urban space of Seoul, which has entered into the status of a cultural city since the 1990s, as its target city by using space syntax. Further, a suitability analysis was conducted by extracting the museums’ topological accessibility in the city structure as well as the accessibility by the travel angle and limit distance setting. The results showed that the physical locations of museums considering the minimum walking distance set in this study were somewhat separated or isolated from primary spaces where people travel. This indicates that determining museum locations by referring to the major travel routes throughout the city is a significant basis for securing physical accessibility. This study is meaningful as it establishes reference materials for determining museum locations in Seoul and will help form physical clusters of museums adjacent to each other. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Spatial Structure Network and Urban Analysis for Sustainable Development)
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