Working on the edge of town: The periphery as a spatial pattern

Abstract

The paper aims at highlighting the features of the configurational approach, at sketching its conceptual bases, at discussing the main operational techniques and their respective potential and limits. Moreover, we have then focused on the theme of edge areas, aiming at using the configurational approach so as to overcome the traditional vagueness and ambiguity of the notion of urban periphery. By means of configurational analysis, we're trying to define the periphery as a spatial pattern, depending on the way the urban space is arranged, both on the whole extension of the grid and at a local infra-urban scale. The results of the research, applied to several case studies in Pisa and Leghorn, appear encouraging, as they allow to pinpoint some recurring configurational aspects. Furthermore, such results can be used in supporting and addressing the redevelopment and the rehabilitation of the urban segregated areas. © 2008 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.