An online self-paced introduction to 'space syntax' and a networked understanding of urban space

Overview

The Interconnected places course is designed to build understanding of the network systems which underpin our cities. The course uses systems theory to explain how street networks shape human movement and interaction. We explore how urban street networks work at multiple scales to influence many different urban phenomena from mobility to social vitality, and from economic productivity to environmental sustainability. We also consider the ‘latent potentials’ associated with the built environment and identify how these potentials can be better harnessed by designers, architects, planners and city leaders to create cities that are thriving, healthy and green places to live & work.

Approach

The course is composed of four short components that you can access and come back to whenever you have time to engage and learn. The material is dynamic and interactive, with the opportunity to test new knowledge at the end of each component.

Who? The course is aimed at people who are interested in cities, systems and urban processes. This could include urban planners; architects; civil servants and city leaders; public and private sector chief executives; academics; directors of strategy; coordinators and facilitators of urban networks; and politicians. No prior technical knowledge is required to complete the course.

Approach

There are four components of the course – with each taking between 30 minutes and 1 hour to complete:

Part 1 | How systems thinking helps us to understand cities

Here we introduce systems thinking, and explore why this is important for understanding cities. We set this in the context of recent urban design and planning history. We also start to consider the network structures which underpin lively cities.

Part 2 | 'space syntax' & the network properties of buildings & street systems

This part of the course explores the network properties of cities in more detail, identifying how cities host ‘to movement’ and ‘through movement’, and considering the 'multiscale' quality of city streets. The basic principles of graph theory are introduced, as a means for understanding the ‘spatial configuration’ of cities.

Part 3 | How spatial networks influence urban outcomes - including health, economy & our carbon footprint

This part of the course explores the research that has developed over the past fifty years into how street networks influence sustainable urban development. Four themes are explored in particular: movement; land use; economic prosperity; and environment and health.

Part 4 | How the built environment influences social outcomes

This final part of the course explores in more detail how the built environment comes to influence individual and societal outcomes. It also highlights the difference between ‘fast’ and ‘slow’ data as a means for better understanding how space syntax analysis can be harnessed to create ‘smarter cities’.

Creative team

Dr Francesca Froy	Helen Cheon
Ed Parham	Prof Tim Stonor