Intelligent Analysis of Urban Space Patterns: Graphical Interfaces to Precedent Databases for Urban Design

Where urban models of the 1960's and 70's were criticised for lack of data, Geographic Information Systems are now being criticised for a lack of analysis. The problem is that there is a fundamental lack of theory of how complex urban systems work, and of how they relate to the spatial and physical structure of cities. New techniques of Configurational Analysis of Space (CAS) based on Hillier's `space syntax ' theories (Hillier & Hanson, 1984) describe cities as patterns of interconnected spaces. By describing and quantifying pattern properties the techniques allow researchers to investigate the way urban function and spatial design relate. One of the main findings of this research is that the pattern of the street grid is a primary determinant of patterns of both pedestrian and vehicular movement. It appears that, given their head, urban land use patterns evolve to take advantage of movement and the opportunities this creates for transaction. The theoretical understanding of urban systems which is being developed using the new analytic techniques is now being applied in design. By building together interactive analysis of space patterns with databases of existing cities and urban areas in which we understan