A space syntax approach to spatial cognition in urban environments

Abstract

Geographic space is a large scale space which is beyond the human perception, and can not be seen from a single viewpoint. Maps and drawings provide one way of perceiving and understanding geographic spaces. Here another approach to spatial cognition is addressed. The approach, space syntax, is proved to be of great value in predicting human spatial behaviour in urban environments. The discussion is instrumental in explaining some previous findings in space syntax studies, and can also be seen as a contribution to Naive geography. The basic assumption is that human spatial cognition in some sense is determined by spatial configuration, and spatial cognition again determines human spatial behaviour like pedestrian movement in urban environments. Thus, by analysing urban morphological properties, pedestrian rates are predictable.