Urban Street Space Analysis with Spherical Box-Counting: Holistic digital Gestalt analysis of architecture in urban space

Abstract

Spherical box-counting of urban street spaces is a novel method developed and refined by the authors to produce highly specific topological fractal fingerprinting of architecture in relation to observer position and in the context of the accompanying surroundings. The use of 360-degree spherical panoramas as input data and basis for fractal measurement lies at the center of this method. A holistic approach toward architectural and urban design, balancing between simplicity and complexity of all Gestalt qualities, needs to take the influence of every (especially man-made) object in view into consideration. This research shows that Gestalt complexity is linked to the observer’s viewpoint as well as the Gestalt complexity of all objects visible from the viewer’s position. This is another decisive step toward holistic fractal and overall digital Gestalt analysis of urban spaces.