Mapping Spatial Integration in the Context of Shrinking Cities Based on Street Network Features, Space Syntax

Design and planning strategies deal with numerous uncertainties regarding economics, social, demographics, and spatial development in shrinking cities. Another problem in this context is the cityscapes which appear as spread collages or patchworks comprising remaining residential areas and vacant properties. Thus, residents and visitors avoid this area because it is unsafe, remote, and isolated from direct access. This study assesses the street network's quality in the City of Delft, The Netherlands, in the two areas: Delft Centrum and Delft Buitenhof. The contexts are analyzed using the space syntax method, particularly the street network features. This study aims to comprehensively understand the context of an isolated environment and how it affects human activities. In this study, the street network features in space syntax are investigated using DepthmapX and QGIS as digital tools that support exploring the urban environment and people's experiences. This paper focuses on three parameters: Spatial configuration between streets, The relationship between building and street functions, and Human walking activities on pedestrian streets. The development of new design strategies in this research contributes to the innovation in urban planning, design, and the theoretical development of the idea of shrinking cities in the future