Comparative analysis of historical cities through spatial syntax. The cases of Seville and Lisbon

Abstract

This paper presents a comparative analysis by applying space syntax techniques at two historic cities that during the 16th and 17th centuries were, among others, the main centres of the Iberian Peninsula: Lisbon and Seville. The main methodological phases in the present study were: 1) acquisition and digitalization of historical data; geo-processing of the data sources; 2) preparation of the axial map model; 3) generation of the axial map; 4) generation of the segment map; 5) study and statistical analysis of the parameters; 6) visualization and interpretation of the maps. The application of the analysis based on segment maps has allowed the calculation of variables more related to accessibility, movement and urban activity: Normalized Angular Choice (NACH) and Normalized Angular Integration (NAIN). This paper also shows that the computational model provides an effective approach to perform comparative studies of historical cities.