Linking the spatial syntax of cognitive maps to the spatial syntax of the environment

Abstract

This article investigates the effects of the spatial configuration of the local environment on residents' spatial cognitions of their built environment by examining the relationship between the spatial syntax of sketch maps and the spatial syntax of the environment. Hampstead Garden Suburb in London was investigated in detail. Structured interview surveys were carried out to elicit residents' sketch maps of their local area. Analysis of the spatial characteristics of the area and of the sketch maps using space-syntax methods provided a common basis for analyses of these data. Strong correlations were identified between residents' sketch maps and the spatial configuration of the area. The degree of local integration of spatial configuration is the most significant factor in relations with the two variables of sketch maps, the frequency of appearance of configurational elements, and the global syntactic characteristics of spatial configuration in sketch maps. Findings suggest that spatial syntax of configuration in real environments and spatial syntax of cognitive maps in spatial cognition are closely related. © 2004 Sage Publications.