Space syntax investigation of Lubbock, a grid-like American city and some insights into isotropic layouts

• Autores: Saif Haq, Girmay Berhie
• Localización: Journal of urban design, ISSN 1357-4809, ISSN-e 1469-9664, Nº. 23, 1, 2018 (Ejemplar dedicado a: Space syntax: consolidation and transformation of an urban research field), págs. 5-22
• Idioma: inglés
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• Resumen

  • This paper describes an in-depth study of a grid-like American city using traditional and recent space syntax analytical methods. The case study is Lubbock, located in west Texas, and is characterized by its ‘almost’ ideal grid layout ‒ one that is perhaps prototypical of American conditions west of the Mississippi River. After extensively describing the city, it is examined by using topological, angular and metric radii of space syntax analysis. From these, comments are made on factors influencing its layout and functional distribution, their relationships to syntactic understandings and some recent development trends. Through this process, the paper addresses the debate regarding the appropriateness of space syntax in investigating grid conditions, and responds to an emerging syntax theorem: local structure is metric and global structure is topo-geometric. In addition, the historical development of grid-like cities in the US is described, an implicit comparison of three syntax methods is provided, and a renewed case of syntax applicability to grid-like cities is made.