Characteristics of space network system formed by the constituent elements in urban streets: Tianzifang in Shanghai as a case study

Abstract

Using a street in Shanghai as a case study, a strategy was developed to study an urban network space system by analyzing and interpreting street space from the microscopic perspective of urban composition elements. At the methodological level, this study, using research methods related to Space Syntax Theory, explored the process of establishing urban elements, element space, and a spatial network system for these elements. The analysis included the integration degree and its distribution (overall infiltration characteristics), the systematic degree, and an adjustment relationship graph for local typical areas. There are three conclusions drawn from the analysis: From the perspective of elements, the Tianzifang street space is annularly connected in circles on different scales and connected in parallel to form an overall spatial structure. At the global level, the distribution of integration degrees exhibits a dotted infiltration pattern from the street to the interior, with a local core. In terms of local and global correlations, spaces with higher traffic attributes tend to increase local and global integration, and spaces with stronger functional attributes tend to increase the separation of local from whole. The element space and its associated shallow space of buildings approximate the overall synergy degree.

Keywords

• constituent elements
• street space network system
• space syntax theory
• shallow space
• urban morphology