Architecture of mind and world: How urban form influences spatial cognition

Figure 1.An example of the rotation heuristic:Which is the correctly rotated outline of South America? Figure 2.An example of the alignment heuristic: Which is the correctly aligned map of the continents? Two intimately connected topics: § the nature of spatial knowledge in our heads § the form of built environments Despite the relationship, these topics are traditionally studied by different disciplines: § cognitive science and cognitive psychology § architecture and urban design With my comps I am attempting to empirically relate the two. Therefore, I need to formally characterize — in other words, quantify — human spatial knowledge and the form of built environments. I will make use of two research traditions: § spatial judgment and memory (cognitive psychology) § space syntax (architecture and urban design) Just as with most other processes of human thought, spatial cognition involves the use of heuristic, simplifi-cation techniques that can lead to systematic distor-tions. Two spatial heuristic identified by Barbara Tversky: § rotation § alignment 3 Background on Space Syntax Figure 3.An axial map of walkways on the Carleton campus and in the nearby neighborhood.Thicker lines indi-cate higher global integration values. space syntax: § a set of techniques for formally describing built environments § originally developed at University College London axial map analysis: § best known space syntax approach § involves drawing out sightlines and examining the interconnections of those axes. § throws out metric information such as distance and focuses on topological information. § measures (e.g., global integration) can be performed to determine how well connected one axis is previous applications include: § streets of London to determine where to place a new bridge over the Thames § department store interiors to determine how to enhance visibility so as to decrease shoplifting § hospital corridors to determine how to improve wayfindin