Abstract
Neighborhood Sustainability Assessment (NSA) has become an important topic of interest in promoting sustainable cities. It is the suitable scale of a neighborhood that allows meaningful evaluation of social, economic, and environmental impacts. Also, a neighborhood’s representation of the link between the city and an individual further adds to its popularity. In an era of growing interest in socio-spatial measures for addressing sustainable neighborhoods, this paper explores the significance of measuring spatial configurations through the Space Syntax method for NSA. The study provides a bibliometric overview of Space Syntax research and a systematic literature search to review 13 research articles that use Space Syntax as part of the NSA. The review identifies integration and connectivity as the most frequently used metrics in NSA and finds that linking Space Syntax to neighborhoods’ sustainable development, especially environmental sustainability, is a newly emerging topic. Finally, the paper concludes with a discussion on the significance and limitations of Space Syntax as a spatial assessment method.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
Data availability
The datasets analysed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.
References
Abdelraheem, A. (2010). Chapter three: Bill hillier mapping method: Basis of space syntax technique. Center of Planning and Architectural Studies (CPAS). https://cpas-egypt.com/publication/journal_article/spatial-conditions-for-sustainable-communitiesthe-case-of-informal-settlements-in-gcr/
Adewumi, A. S., Onyango, V., Moyo, D., & AlWaer, H. (2019). A review of selected neighbourhood sustainability assessment frameworks using the Bellagio STAMP. International Journal of Building Pathology and Adaptation. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJBPA-07-2018-0055
Alipour, S. M. H., & Galal Ahmed, K. (2021). Assessing the effect of urban form on social sustainability: A proposed ‘Integrated Measuring Tools Method’ for urban neighborhoods in Dubai. City, Territory and Architecture, 8(1), 1–21. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40410-020-00129-4
Al-Jokhadar, A., & Jabi, W. (2017). Applying the vernacular model to high-rise residential development in the Middle East and North Africa. Archnet-IJAR, 11(2), 175–189. https://doi.org/10.26687/archnet-ijar.v11i2.1254
Bahadure, S., & Kotharkar, R. (2015). Assessing sustainability of mixed use neighbourhoods through residents’ travel behaviour and perception: The case of Nagpur, India. Sustainability, 7(9), 12164–12189. https://doi.org/10.3390/su70912164
Baran, P. K., Smith, W. R., & Toker, U. (2007). The space syntax and crime: evidence from a suburban community. In 6th International space syntax symposium, Istanbul (pp. 119:02–119:06).
Biljecki, F., & Shin, Y. (2022). Global Building Morphology Indicators. Computers, Environment and Urban Systems, 95(101809), 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1016/0198-9715(83)90008-x
Charalambous, N., & Mavridou, M. (2012). Space syntax: Spatial integration accessibility and angular segment analysis by metric distance (ASAMeD). In A. Hull, C. Silva & L. Bertolini (Eds.) Accessibility instruments for planning practice (pp. 57–62). http://www.accessibilityplanning.eu/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/3-ASAMeD-R.pdf
Dalton, N. S., Dalton, R. C., Marshall, P., Peverett, I., & Clinch, S. (2015). Three dimensional isovists for the study of public displays. In Proceedings of 10th international space syntax conference (SSS10) (pp. 1–9).
Dawodu, A., Cheshmehzangi, A., & Williams, A. (2019). Expert-initiated integrated approach to the development of sustainability indicators for neighbourhood sustainability assessment tools: An African perspective. Journal of Cleaner Production. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.117759
de Koning, R., Tan, W. G. Z., & Van Nes, A. (2020). Assessing spatial configurations and transport energy usage for planning sustainable communities. Sustainability. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12198146
Dharmasthala, S., Sun, Q., & Langenheim, N. (2021). Are high distributed streetscapes also located in the high social interaction streets ? A Space syntax approach on street liveability assessment. In 28th International conference on geoinformatics. https://doi.org/10.1109/IEEECONF54055.2021.9687512
Du, M., Zhao, M., & Fu, Y. (2020). Revisiting urban sustainability from access to jobs: Assessment of economic gain versus loss of social equity. Environmental Impact Assessment Review, 85(106456), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eiar.2020.106456
Dursun, P. (2007). Space Syntax in Architectural Design. In 6th International space syntax symposium, İstanbul (pp. 1–12). https://www.researchgate.net/publication/228646158
Ewing, R., Tian, G., Goates, J. P., Zhang, M., Greenwald, M. J., Joyce, A., Kircher, J., & Greene, W. (2014). Varying influences of the built environment on household travel in 15 diverse regions of the United States. Urban Studies, 52(13), 1–19. https://doi.org/10.1177/0042098014560991
Ferwati, M. S., Al Saeed, M., Shafaghat, A., & Keyvanfar, A. (2019). Qatar Sustainability Assessment System (QSAS)-Neighborhood Development (ND) Assessment Model: Coupling green urban planning and green building design. Journal of Building Engineering, 22, 171–180. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2018.12.006
Fleischmann, M., Romice, O., & Porta, S. (2021). Measuring urban form: Overcoming terminological inconsistencies for a quantitative and comprehensive morphologic analysis of cities. Environment and Planning B: Urban Analytics and City Science, 48(8), 2133–2150. https://doi.org/10.1177/2399808320910444
Gargiulo, C., Sforza, A., Sterle, C., & Zucaro, F. (2018). An optimization model fitting the neighborhood sustainability assessment tools. Sustainability, 10(3365), 1–16. https://doi.org/10.3390/su10103365
Grazieschi, G., Asdrubali, F., & Guattari, C. (2020). Neighbourhood sustainability: State of the art, critical review and space-temporal analysis. Sustainable Cities and Society, 63, 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scs.2020.102477
Haq, S., & Luo, Y. (2012). Space syntax in healthcare facilities research: A review. HerdJournal, 5(4), 98–117.
Hasgül, E. (2015). Space as configuration: patterns of space. In ARCHTHEO 2015: 9th theory and history of architecture conference, 13. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/335910605_Space_As_Configuration_Patterns_of_Space
Hilley, J., & Sim, S. (2020). Context-based neighborhood sustainability assessment in Birmingham, Alabama. Sustainability, 12(9426), 1–18. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12229426
Hillier, B. (2009). Spatial Sustainability in Cities Organic Patterns and Sustainable Forms. In Proceedings of the 7th international space syntax symposium (pp. 1–20). http://eprints.ucl.ac.uk/18538/
Hillier, B., & Stonor, Ti. (2010). Space syntax: Strategic urban design. City Planning Institute of Japan, 284. https://www.cpij.or.jp/eng/file/hillier.pdf
Khatibi, M., & Khaidzir, K. A. M. (2022). Toward a value-driven framework for built environment sustainability: Investigating the recent developments through the design paradigm. The International Journal of Design Management and Professional Practice, 16(1), 19–35. https://doi.org/10.18848/2325-162X/CGP/v16i01/19-35
Khatibi, M., Khaidzir, K. A. M., & Syed Mahdzar, S. S. (2023). Measuring the sustainability of neighborhoods: A systematic literature review. Iscience, 26(2), 1–18. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.isci.2023.105951
Khavarian-Garmsir, A. R., Sharifi, A., & Sadeghi, A. (2023). The 15-minute city: Urban planning and design efforts toward creating sustainable neighborhoods. Cities, 132(2023), 1–5. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cities.2022.104101
Kumar, S., Santara, A., & Banerji, H. (2020). Pentagram sustainability model. International Review for Spatial Planning and Sustainable Development, 8(2), 100–117. https://doi.org/10.14246/irspsda.8.2_100
Lai, P. C., Chen, S., Low, C. T., Cerin, E., Stimson, R., & Wong, P. Y. P. (2018). Neighborhood variation of sustainable urban morphological characteristics. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 15(465), 1–13. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph15030465
Lamprecht, M. (2022). Space syntax as a socio-economic approach: A review of potentials in the polish context. Miscellanea Geographica – Regional Studies on Development, 25(1), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.2478/mgrsd-2020-0072
Li, X., Lv, Z., Zheng, Z., Zhong, C., Hijazi, I. H., & Cheng, S. (2017). Assessment of lively street network based on geographic information system and space syntax. In Multimedia tools and applications (Vol. 76, Issue 17, pp. 17801–17819). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11042-015-3095-2
Lin, K. W., & Shih, C. M. (2018). The comparative analysis of neighborhood sustainability assessment tool. Environment and Planning B: Urban Analytics and City Science, 45(1), 90–105. https://doi.org/10.1177/0265813516667299
López, M. J. J., & Nes, A. van. (2007). Space And Crime in Dutch Built Environments: macro and micro scale spatial conditions for residential burglaries and thefts from cars. In Proceedings, 6th international space syntax symposium, İstanbul.
Maqsood, M., & Zumelzu, A. (2021). Assessing sustainable Urban form in social housing Neighbourhoods: Two cases in Southern Chile | Evaluación de la sostenibilidad de forma Urbana en conjuntos de Vivienda social: Dos casos en el sur de Chile. Revista De Urbanismo, 44, 149–165. https://doi.org/10.5354/0717-5051.2021.54756
Martino, N., Trigueiro, E., Girling, C., Martins, M., & Lira, F. (2019, July). Urban and suburban legacies: Space, form and urban vitality in two LEED-ND certified olympic villages. In 12th international space syntax symposium.
Moroke, T., Schoeman, C., & Schoeman, I. (2020). Neighbourhood sustainability assessment model for developing countries: A comprehensive approach to urban quality of life. International Journal of Sustainable Development and Planning, 15(1), 107–123. https://doi.org/10.2495/SDP-V15-N1-107-123
Pedro, J., Silva, C., & Pinheiro, M. D. (2019). Integrating GIS spatial dimension into BREEAM communities sustainability assessment to support urban planning policies, Lisbon case study. Land Use Policy, 83, 424–434. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landusepol.2019.02.003
Peponis, J. (1997). Geometries of architectural design: Shape and spatial configuration. In Space syntax 1st international symposium (pp. 1–8). http://www.journalofspacesyntax.org/
Pongmas, N. (2004). Configuration of public space and social sustainability. Graduate Faculty of Texas Tech University.
Reis, J. P., Silva, E. A., & Pinho, P. (2016). Spatial metrics to study urban patterns in growing and shrinking cities. Urban Geography, 37(2), 246–271. https://doi.org/10.1080/02723638.2015.1096118
Reyes Nieto, J. E., Rigueiro, C., Simões da Silva, L., & Murtinho, V. (2018). Urban integrated sustainable assessment methodology for existing neighborhoods (UISA fEN), a new approach for promoting sustainable development. Sustainable Development, 26(6), 564–587. https://doi.org/10.1002/sd.1720
Reza Shirazi, M., & Keivani, R. (2021). Social sustainability of compact neighbourhoods evidence from london and berlin. Sustainability, 13(4), 1–20. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13042340
Rokseth, L., Manum, B., & Nordstöm, T. (2019). Properties of urban form influencing carbon emissions: Implementing a GIS-based method. In 12th International space syntax symposium (pp. 1–16).
Sharifi, A., & Murayama, A. (2013). A critical review of seven selected neighborhood sustainability assessment tools. Environmental Impact Assessment Review, 38, 73–87. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eiar.2012.06.006
Shirazi, M. R., Keivani, R., Brownill, S., & Butina Watson, G. (2020). Promoting social sustainability of urban neighbourhoods: The case of Bethnal Green, London. International Journal of Urban and Regional Research, 46(3), 1–25. https://doi.org/10.1111/1468-2427.12946
Soltani, S., Gu, N., Paniagua, J. O., Sivam, A., & McGinley, T. (2019). Investigating the social impacts of high-density neighbourhoods through spatial analysis. In Communications in computer and information science (Vol. 1028). Springer Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-8410-3_19
Subramanian, K., Chopra, S. S., Cakin, E., Liu, J., & Xu, Z. (2021). Advancing neighbourhood sustainability assessment by accounting for sustainable development goals: A case study of Sha Tin neighbourhood in Hong Kong. Sustainable Cities and Society, 66, 1–38. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scs.2020.102649
Syed Mahdzar, S. S. (2013). Streets for people: Sustaining accessible and sociable streets in Pasir Gudang City Centre. In Proceedings of the ninth international space syntax symposium (pp. 1–18).
Syed Mahdzar, S. S., Saari, N. S., & Jaberolansar, S. (2017). Planning integrated stop transit for pedestrian using space syntax analysis case study: Pasir Gudang City. In 14th International Congress of Asian Planning School Association 2017, Asia: Reshaping Urban & Rural Development through Planning, Beijing, China, October (pp. 1–9). https://www.researchgate.net/publication/320947648_Planning_Integrated_Stop_Transit_for_Pedestrian_Using_Space_Syntax_Analysis_Case_Study_Pasir_Gudang_City
Syed Mahdzar, S. S. (2019). Sustainable design - space syntax spatial network & static activities analysis. Malaysia Urban Forum 2019, Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.18479.79524
Tseng, M. L., Chang, C. H., Lin, C. W. R., Wu, K. J., Chen, Q., Xia, L., & Xue, B. (2020). Future trends and guidance for the triple bottom line and sustainability: A data driven bibliometric analysis. In Environmental science and pollution research (Vol. 27, pp. 33543–33567). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-020-09284-0
Yamu, C., van Nes, A., & Garau, C. (2021). Bill hillier’s legacy: Space syntax—A synopsis of basic concepts, measures, and empirical application. Sustainability, 13(6), 1–25. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13063394
Ye, Y., & Nes, A. V. (2014). Quantitative tools in urban morphology: Combining space syntax, spacematrix and mixed-use index in a GIS framework. Urban Morphology, 18(2), 97–118.
Zumelzu, A., & Barrientos-Trinanes, M. (2019). Analysis of the effects of urban form on neighborhood vitality: Five cases in Valdivia, Southern Chile. Journal of Housing and the Built Environment, 34(3), 897–925. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10901-019-09694-8
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to acknowledge the research funding from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) through the Flagship Research Grant COE/RG 2022; (PY/2022/04719) titled COE/RG1.2.:“Penggunaan Graf Visual Analitik Space Syntax didalam Skrin Digital Sebagai Infrastruktur Pintar untuk Kegunaan Warisan Di Bandaraya Johor Bahru” (Space Syntax Visual Graph Analysis of Urban Screen as a Smart Infrastructure for Heritage Use at Johor Bahru City Centre)”.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Ethics declarations
Conflict of interest
The authors declare no competing interests.
Additional information
Publisher's Note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Rights and permissions
Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.
About this article
Cite this article
Khatibi, M., Khaidzir, K.A.M., Syed Mahdzar, S.S. et al. Measuring spatial configurations for spatial neighborhood sustainability assessment. Environ Dev Sustain (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-023-03463-y
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-023-03463-y