A spatial cognition investigation by using the integrated methodology combined with cognitive map and space syntax

Space syntax provides information on the probabilities of certain behaviour types (e.g., seating choice, movement) depending on the configuration of space. The evolutionary approach (e.g. Appleton’s prospect-refuge theory) in environmental psychology can help designers in creating spaces by providing a better understanding why certain parts of an open space or a building are avoided or occupied, why good "observation points" or "hiding places” are preferred. Our research aimed to explore how different space syntax variables predict specific behaviours – the seating choices of 216 participants – in a 3D virtual model of a lounge area and how the prospect-refuge theory relates to these predictions. The participants had to choose a seat in simulated spaces in two social situations, which differed in the degree of focused work and concentration: one of the situations implied seeing others and being seen, while the other highlighted focused work and hiding. The results show that there was a variation in the seating choices depending on the goal of the situation (user: trying to be seen or hiding). The expected significant correlations with the space syntax measurements were presented in the situations where being seen was the goal of the participants. However, in the situations where hiding was induced, our results need further clarification. Our future goal is to provide quantitative, evidence-based reflection on the prospect-refuge and space syntax theories, and to investigate the psychological factors (e.g., goal of the user) that need further consideration when applying these theories in the design practice.

In this paper, a new method based on the space syntax is presented to optimize the urban space configuration. Space syntax theory is used to detect systematically whether one urban space configuration is optimal or not from four aspects including traffic space, cognition space, land use space and culture space. After introducing the computational and cognitive aspects of space syntax for the research of urban space, a framework of urban space optimization based on space syntax is proposed, then the integration with GIS and the extension to third dimension are discussed. Finally, a case study for Kanmen town of Zhejiang province of P.R. China is illustrated by using Axwoman tool.

The visibility and spatial characteristics of commercial space are the key factors that affect the space vitality. However, the coupling visibility graphical analysis of commercial spaces and spatial characteristics to quantitatively analyse consumer behaviour in commercial street spaces and assess the vitality of retail spaces has not been adequately studied. In this paper, the aim is to conduct a visibility graph analysis of Zhuangli Street in Letai Center, Shijiazhuang, using space syntax theory, assessing the spatial vitality of the retail space by investigating the shop visits. First, a methodology for obtaining data on spatial characteristics and consumer behaviour of shopping streets was developed. Secondly, this article constructs a process for a visibility graph analysis of Zhuangli Street based on space syntax theory. Third, two combination variables of the space coefficient and depth coefficient of shop windows in retail spaces of a commercial street are proposed. Finally, the effect of combination variables and business types on spatial vitality was analyzed using correlation and multiple regression methods, and a space vitality prediction model was proposed. The results showed that the shop with the highest shop visits of retail spaces in the shopping street is 13.55 times higher than the smallest shop. The space coefficient of the shop window, depth coefficient of the shop window, and space connectivity of retail spaces in commercial streets have positive effects on space vitality. The workflow proposed in this paper can provide technical support for retail space design in commercial streets as well as evaluating and optimizing commercial street space design solutions.

Water is the subject of study in many scientific fields. The relationship between water and space in architecture is connected with environmental psychology and biophilic design. Therefore, this study seeks to explore the research related to water at the intersection of environmental psychology and biophilic design, to identify current research gaps and primary authors and concepts. The method applied herein is biblio-metric analysis with the science mapping technique, covering the documents held on Scopus and Web of Science Core Collection databases. The keywords environmental psychology , biophilic design , and water are selected for the systematically analysed scan performed in Scopus and Web of Science Core Collection databases. After collecting the bibliometric data of a total of 292 documents from the databases on 1 May 2022, the downloaded .csv and .txt data files were transferred to VOSviewer (1.6.18.0). Firstly, descriptive data was examined on the Scopus and Web of Science Core Collection databases. Secondly, visualizations were created via the science mapping techniques by VOSviewer. The selected bibliometric analysis with science mapping techniques represents co-authorship data by the authors, co-occurrences data by author keywords, citation data by documents, co-citation data by the cited references, and co-citation data by the cited authors. As a result, twelve primary authors and five concepts have been identified. The concepts for the gaps are biophilic design, biophilia, emotional design, perception, and architectural design. The critical result is that in the approach to the relationship between space and water in architecture, biophilic design has been found to be a more recent field than environmental psychology. So, the concepts ascertained in this study – and especially the newly established combinations with the biophilic architecture– are going to have a growing tendency in architecture.

Local community space at historic sites is easily unsettled by the flood of numerous tourists, but arguably the negative impacts of hard tourism on community spaces are even more severe. Understanding the situation and seeking appropriate optimization strategies to balance urban tourist development and community space protection has gradually become a commonly desired norm amongst researchers and practitioners alike. Nevertheless, as investigators have suggested, the construction of this balance is often very difficult and actual workable and practical solutions to real problems are often still rare. Part of the reason for a lack of workable solutions lies in the difficulties of understanding conflicting space. This article adopts a quantitative approach to identify various types of community spaces, by overlaying cognitive maps of the local community with data on the behavioral patterns of tourists via GPS tracking. Based on the classification of various kinds of community spaces, a series of corresponding optimization strategies to protect various communities are proposed. To conclude, this article explores new analytical frameworks for the sustainable development of historic sites by the classification of community spaces, via a combination of cognitive mapping, GPS tracking, and GIS visualization methods.

Contemporary urban development places a critical emphasis on pedestrian environments, especially in historic cities like George Town, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Malaysia. Although survey questionnaires effectively captured public perceptions of issues such as poor road connectivity, weak accessibility, crime and safety concerns in George Town, they fell short in providing a comprehensive understanding of the root causes. This study leverages space syntax theory to model and analyze George Town’s unique pedestrian landscape, aiming to identify strategies for improving pedestrian networks in historical urban landscapes. Space syntax theory, known for revealing structural issues within urban contexts, is applied after a thorough examination of George Town’s urban layout, climate, architectural features, and development policies. George Town employs an informal grid layout widely utilized in British colonial port cities to enhance overall efficiency. The predominant architectural form is the shophouse, which is characterized by a ground level designed for pedestrian movement known as the “five-foot way” and adapted to Malaysia’s climate. Various axis drawing methods for the unique five-foot way under different circumstances are considered. The George Town special area plan (SAP) emphasizing heritage preservation guides development policies, thus requiring an inclusive approach to pedestrian environments. This enhances the practical significance of the current study, with the eastern and northern coastal areas serving as crucial focal points for investigation. This approach results in a comprehensive spatial model that captures the essence of George Town’s pedestrian landscape. Evaluation using space syntax indicators such as connectivity, integration, intelligibility, and choice reveals issues like poor overall network connectivity, inadequate access to key attractions, suboptimal integration, concentrated pedestrian flows, and significant safety concerns, which are exacerbated by limited infrastructure on certain two-way roads and a lack of zebra crossings. The practical implications of this study include recommendations for enhancing pedestrian spaces along identified roads and strategically installing zebra-crossings. This research is significant for its focus on a historical city in a Southeast Asian developing country, deeply integrating local environmental characteristics and providing insights into urban planning and optimization, thereby serving as a reference for similar cities.

This study constructs a street vitality evaluation index system for Kunming City based on big data POI mining technology and validates the rationality of street vitality classification using space syntax theory. By collecting 47,892 POI data points across 15 categories in Kunming’s main urban area, a comprehensive street vitality evaluation model was established using entropy weight method and analytic hierarchy process, classifying street vitality into three levels: high, medium, and low. Combined with space syntax indicators including global integration, local integration, and connectivity for validation analysis, the research found that street vitality levels show a significant positive correlation with space syntax indicators (r=0.762), validating the effectiveness of the POI data-based street vitality classification method. The research results provide scientific basis for urban planning and street space optimization.

The United Nations and local governments have supported a four-point sustainable development framework, including environmental responsibility, economic viability, social equity, and cultural vitality. This study is based on the theoretical framework of sustainability to study the traditional Chinese siheyuan residence. Space syntax attempts to explain how spatial structures express social or cultural significance, such as the hierarchical relationship and privacy in it. The main purposes of this study are: (1) To analyze the spatial topological layout of traditional siheyuans by using the space syntax theory, and thus deduce the cultural connotation embedded in traditional siheyuans; (2) to compare and analyze the spatial morphology and behavior patterns of traditional and modern houses; (3) to explore how to integrate courtyard features into contemporary design and promote cultural sustainability. This study expounds the concept and application of syntactic analysis, and the relationship between the syntactic attributes of specific buildings in a particular area, and the culture and life of the local people within that area. As time goes by, the spatial form of houses has changed. However, in terms of spatial allocation index, the significant difference between traditional residences and modern residences lies in the integration and equivalence of all spaces in residences. We can learn from the cultural values of traditional siheyuans, meaning “people-oriented”, to rationally design modern residences with cultural connotations.

How we think and behave in geographic space is an important topic that researchers from a variety of disciplines have sought to understand. They have been especially interested in analysing what people know about spatial relationships at the geographic scale and how they use this knowledge in everyday spatial behaviour and decision- making. Little attempt has been made, however, to draw together theory and practice from across and within this wide variety of disciplines. In seeking to do this Rob Kitchin and Mark Blades have three aims: to provide a synthesis of knowledge from across the disciplines; to provide a critical appraisal of the field; and to put forward new ideas and theories concerning cognitive mapping whilst outlining a future agenda for research.

As an important part of the green space system in high-density cities, pocket parks provide the city with natural ecological functions, including microclimate regulation, stormwater management, and so on, and also play an important role in improving the city image, promoting neighborhood communication and other social benefits. However, at present, there has been little research on the accessibility of pocket parks. Based on the theory of space syntax, pocket parks in Xuzhou old city are selected as the research object. From three dimensions of global integration, local integration, and perceived integration, the accessibility of pocket parks in Xuzhou old city was quantitatively evaluated by Depthmap software. The results showed that (1) the global accessibility and local accessibility of pocket parks in the study area were good, but the distribution of some pocket parks was "misaligned" with the road network layout and (2) the perception accessibility of some pocket parks is low, and the whole road network is perceived through the local road network structure. As a result, many people cannot find the park quickly even if they are close to the green space of the park. Because of the existing problems of pocket parks in Xuzhou old city, we put forward optimization suggestions to increase the accessibility measure of pocket parks in Xuzhou from a humanistic perspective and provide a basis for the distribution of urban pocket parks.

Based on the theory of space syntax, this study quantitatively analyzes the landscape space of Baosteel Zhanjiang Steel Co. Ltd., which is constrained by epidemic preventive measures and steel plant safety production requirements in the post-epidemic age. Space syntax has the benefits of decreasing research expenses, boosting analytical efficiency, assessing space use efficiency, minimizing environmental interference, and addressing epidemic prevention demands.

In order to find the characteristic of urban space evolution in historical area of Changsha from 1840 to 1949, this article takes advantage of the platform of digitalized historic maps and carries on quantitative digital simulation analysis for the special evolution process of three typical periods. Based on space syntax theory and methods, this article also makes a comparative analysis on integration. It aims to summarize the evolution process and influencing factors of spatial configuration in historical district of Changsha by using digital analysis on historical maps. According to the research, the evolution of spatial configuration of Changsha is affected by the layout of historical urban areas. Due to the various effects, particularly political instability and economic development, the urban center develops from a single-center pattern (1872) to a double-center pattern (1913), and eventually returns to a single-center pattern (1949).This article will be to the historical map digitization, and use the quantitative analysis of the Depthmap1, to explore the morphological evolution in historical area of Changsha from 1840 to 1949.

The intensity of urban flooding has significantly increased throughout the world over the last few decades. By focusing on the performance of road network, the aim of this paper is to apply the theory of Space Syntax and develop a new model for evaluating the impact of flood on cities. In specific, two interrelated topics are examined through a simulated flood scenario in Yonghe District in New Taipei City, which has the highest population density in Taiwan at 39,000 per km2: First, the occurrence of flood has a disruptive impact on road network and therefore may cause the total breakdown of urban system. Starting from an analytic mapping of road accessibility, this study quantifies the extent to which the flood will undermine the transport structure of the city and reveal signs of vulnerable condition in the area typically neglected in flood impact evaluation. Second, the adaptive management of disaster mitigation services is the key to a sustainable reduction of flood risk. By importing the GIS data of evacuation route and disaster shelters into the analysis of analytic mapping, we observe a strong correlation between the malfunction of road network and the potential magnitude of flood impact. In sum, this study demonstrates that the model based on Space Syntax theory can provide effective evaluation of flood impact on urban road network and be used by government authorities to ensure their flood mitigation plans.

With the expansion of cities and economic prosperity, research on the location of commercial center has been increasingly brought to the attention of the relevant scholars. Urban commercial activity affects the city's overall development. Moreover, commercial land directly reflects the urban spatial structure characteristic, and is closely related to the city's social economic activities.
\nUrban traffic network structure is the basis for land use and economic activity of urban space. Among many factors affecting commercial distribution, urban traffic network and the accessibility of it are the main factors. This study is trying to answer what role the accessibility plays in the development of commercial centers and how. Space Syntax theory provides a new perspective for understanding the complicated urban transportation system, and a set of quantitative analysis method for space configuration. In order to investigate the accessibility of traffic network in Hong Kong, map data will be collected from road network and metro network, and the data will be digitalized before the calculation of accessibility. For the purpose of finding the development of commercial centers, a variety of data will also be collected from the three commercial centers-Tsim Sha Tsui, Causeway Bay, and Mong Kok, such as the operating area of main retail stores in each commercial center.
\nThe first theoretical hypothesis is that the accessibility of traffic network does have an influence on the location and development of commercial centers. After the calculation of metro network accessibility and road network accessibility, the second theoretical hypothesis is that the accessibility of metro network may exert different effect on the location and development of commercial centers, compared with that of road network. The influence of metro network and road network on the location of commercial centers was discussed. It can be concluded that an area of high accessibility is more likely to develop into a commercial center. In another word, commercial centers always have higher accessibility than non-commercial center areas. Another conclusion is that the scope of commercial centers is mainly controlled by accessibility of road network in local configuration.

The traditional residence with protogenetic spatial arrangement is regarded as a critical carrier of social logic of space, which makes it an ideal object for studying the relationship between the spatial form and social context. To this end, a comparative analysis is conducted using Depthmap Software. This study is based on space syntax theory between two groups of proxies of sharp differences in spatial organization in one geomorphic unit where the natural factors show little variations, while the human factors present a bifurcating distribution. Furthermore, the study clarifies the differences among genotypes of the domestic space system. Finally, combined with historical material, it proves the dual division of regional sociocultural factors as decisive forces shaping the traditional living space and its constructed manifestations.