Abstract
Hong Kong's built environment is characterized by compact urban form with vertical distribution of land uses. The large mixed-use urban complexes, accessed through multilevel spatial structure, have various types of movement spaces like square, atrium, podium, footbridges, etc. This variety of spatial expression induces a varied pattern of movement that in turn has implications for the extreme high-density urban living. Using visibility graph analysis, this study investigates the effect of visual dimensions on the patterns of multilevel pedestrian movement. Owing to the prominence of local urban design parameters such as the mass transit railway, level variation, and vertical transitional spaces, this study develops an integrated model that includes the visibility variables and variables to take into account the effects of these key urban design parameters in a single statistical model. Findings of the study reveal that the visibility properties seem to have significant effects on the patterns of multilevel movement. The study outcome suggests that notwithstanding the strong influence of the local urban design parameters, the visual dimension of the multilevel space system may prove to be an important parameter for the description of pedestrian movement in other highly complex but comparable built environments.
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Notes
This is a global measure that explains the relationship of each space to the space network as a whole represented by an axial map.
For gate method of observation, refer to Parvin et al (2006b).
For details on space syntax methods and techniques, refer to Hillier and Hanson (1984).
For details please refer to Sall et al (2001).
In terms of residential density, building density, and population density, the study areas are high-density residential zone (R1), with maximum domestic plot ratio of 8 and population density of around 2500 person per hectare.
The area of the gate shown in Figure 7 is a fairly selected region of points around the gate where the observation date is recorded (Turner, 2003).
Correlation between depth and integration.
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This study is part of PhD research funded by the HKU University Grants Council.
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Parvin, A., Min, A. & Beisi, J. Effect of visibility on multilevel movement: a study of the high-density compact built environment in Hong Kong. Urban Des Int 13, 169–181 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1057/udi.2008.22
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/udi.2008.22