Generative planning decisions for informal settlements based on space syntax

Abstract

Space syntax is supposed to be an objective method for evaluating spatial configurations. As it is just an evaluation, its contribution to a design process is dependent on the designer's estimation. If its aim is to lead to specific results defined by the space syntax theory, designers have to patiently figure out what changes they have to make in order to achieve these requirements. This thesis describes a generative approach to finding particularly good interventions based on space syntax analyses of axial maps representing any given urban street network.<br />The space syntax theory provides the theoretical background for this research. More precisely, a case study was undertaken through applying such a strategy to improve and connect a segregated street network of an informal settlement to its neighborhood. Controlling and redirecting movement in slums may cause positive effects. Combined with other remedial actions, conditions in slums can be sustainably improved. This idea approach is based on and inspired by a consulting project by the company Space Syntax Limited, a spinoff company created by the University College London (UCL). On behalf of the Municipality of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, the consulting company designed a regeneration program for declining informal settlements. (Karimi ans Parham, 2012) In the case study, the proposed generative method is applied to an informal settlement in Jeddah - that exact area was then redeveloped during the consulting project.