Finding Centrality: Developing GIS-Based Analytical Tools for Active and Human-Oriented Centres

Abstract

Integrated urban-transport planning should exploit not only conventional methodologies, which are crucial for identifying the already established local centres of the city (places with people), but also multi-dimensional methodologies for identifying the vibrant places of the city that can facilitate the centrality needs of citizens and provide access to urban vitality, functionality, and liveability (places for people). In this article, we conceptualise and quantitatively define these two types of centres, as Active Centres (AC) and Human-oriented Centres (HoC), respectively. Accordingly, two distinct methodological tools (available as python scripts and ArcGIS toolboxes in a public repository) are introduced for identifying Active (where-it-is) and Human-oriented (where-it-should be) centres. Active Centres are identified based on the functional density of the study area, while Human-oriented centres are found based on the density and diversity of typological criteria, considered essential for liveable centres. To this end, the aim of this work is two-fold. On the one hand, to formulate a comprehensive methodology for identifying different types of centrality and on the other to develop a GIS-based analytical toolkit which can assist evidence-based planning and support decision making towards sustainable urban form, active mobility, and human-scale public places. The proposed methodology and tools have been implemented and evaluated while effectively identifying the Active and Human-oriented Centres of an Athenian suburb, Greece.