Environment and Planning B: Urban Analytics and City Science

The Internet and the World Wide Web offer a new solution to the problem of sharing scientific knowledge. Unlike traditional libraries based on print media, these new technologies facilitate the sharing of any information that can be expressed in a binary alphabet. Environmental models expressed as computer codes are instances of such information objects, and codes are the last of a four-stage process of model formulation. The transition to digital technologies changes the relative importance of the four stages. We present a six-stage model of the process of searching for information in distributed digital libraries. Search is made possible by metadata, which serve several distinct purposes, including description of the contents of information objects and their fitness for specified use, and the details needed to make use of information objects once accessed and retrieved. We present a straw-man structure for model metadata, explain the process used in its development, and invite its evaluation.

One of the principle criticisms of urban sprawl is that it undermines the cost-effective provision of public services. In this paper the authors examine whether or not this is true through an exploratory analysis of the influence that alternative development patterns have on twelve measures of public expenditure: total direct, capital facilities, roadways, other transportation, sewerage, trash collection, housing and community development, police protection, fire protection, parks, education, and libraries. The objectives of the analysis are threefold. First, the authors, through a background discussion, provide a brief overview of previous research on the relationship between urban development patterns and the cost of public services. Second, through empirical analysis, they examine how the character of urban development affects per capita public outlays in a cross-section of 283 metropolitan counties during the 1982–92 time period. A separate equation is estimated for each measure of expenditure, providing substantive evidence on how density, the spatial extent of urbanized land area, property value, and political fragmentation affect the cost of services. Finally, the authors use the results of the empirical analysis to develop a set of policy recommendations and directions for future research.

The author explores the use of ecological-footprint analysis for evaluating and communicating the environmental implications of transport alternatives within a company travel plan. From a case study of the Vodafone headquarters in Newbury, a component ecological footprint methodology is developed that employs geographic information systems (GIS) and network analysis to model the impacts of commuting activity prior to and after implementation of the company's ‘green travel plan’. Having provided an in-depth exploration of the footprint approach, the author considers the extent to which ecological footprinting may be used as a management tool for formulating, implementing, and refining company travel plans, in addition to its well-established role as a metaphor for communicating the consequences of consumption.

A prototype decision support tool is described which provides options for the management of existing green spaces and for the establishment of new green space in suburban neighbourhoods. Suggested neighbourhood greening techniques include the naturalization of existing parks and increased foliage along streets and rights of way. The naturalization approach involves less frequent cutting in grassy fields, the introduction of native species, and the cessation of pesticide and herbicide applications. Increased plantings along streets and boulevards would improve the aesthetics of neighbourhoods, and may provide some relief from climatic extremes and urban heat island effects. The creation of new green space in already-built suburban neighbourhoods provides a longer term challenge to neighbourhood planners. Potential strategies include the introduction of small pocket parks and community gardens in vacant lots and school yards. Modelled outcomes from such neighbourhood greening strategies could be used in public meetings both to incorporate attitudes of the impacted community and to demonstrate benefits to a wider community. In particular, strategies should take into account issues of safety and perceived safety that commonly arise with the greater use of naturalization in green space management. The developed prototype decision support tool has been coded as an ArcView GIS extension and provides the opportunity to model and evaluate future scenarios better aligned to principles of sustainable community development. Three applications of this tool are discussed to illustrate some of the benefits of undertaking a range of neighbourhood greening strategies.

Geographic information systems (GIS) have emerged over the past decade to become the most powerful and important computer application to hit the profession of planning. Although GIS is now used by most public sector planning agencies and private planning firms, planning schools have been slow to adapt their core curricula to ensure that all students gain some exposure to this technology before entering the job market. A review of the core curricula of accredited programs in North America revealed GIS to be a rare element of the core. This paper outlines potential reasons that GIS has been slow to emerge as an element in the planning core and offers some guidance on how to remedy this situation with a minimum of disruption to existing programs.

The work reported here is a contribution by the authors to the search for reliable metric method for spatial evaluation, related to human perception of ‘openness’ and to the development of evaluation tools for urban planning and design. A recent innovation, the ‘spatial openness index’ (SOI), a quantitative index, based on a three-dimensional visual analysis of space is applied here. This approach reflects the hierarchical order found in the urban environment: dwelling unit, building, neighbourhood, etc. This index expresses oppenness to natural light, air, and near and distant views, for each level in the hierarchical order. At the basis of this work is the assumption that the SOI is correlated with the ‘perceived density’, evaluated by people responding to alternative spatial configurations. A preliminary indication test was carried out in order to justify this assumption. In this test, groups of spatial configurations with equal built masses were ranked both by their calculated SOI and by statistical analysis of perceived density evaluated by participating individuals. Good agreement was found between pairs of results obtained for most of the spatial configurations.

This paper is an attempt to understand the relationship between power and space constituted in traditional Korean society, a strictly status-oriented society. The author speculates on two traditional villages and houses within them. The analysis of the villages shows not only different patterns of spatial morphology but also different spatial strategies for consolidating power innate to each community. In Hahoe, with a spatial structure in the form of a concentric circle, the ruling class located their houses in more easily accessible and exposed spaces with the lower class's houses in secluded spaces. By contrast, in Yangdong, with its more complicated spatial and power structures, the ruling class appeared to locate their houses in an opposite way to that of Hahoe. The analysis of the positioning of important houses shows a basic principle of sustaining the power structure, that is, a strong congruence between consanguine hierarchy and spatial hierarchy. The analysis of the historical transition of the spatial structure of houses suggests a shift of power structure between male and female members within a family. The study clearly illustrates that a spatial structure can be understood as a historical text on which one can read a history of producing and sustaining the power structure within a society as shown in the analysis. The findings also imply that the power-space relationship can be meaningfully described only in its cultural context.

Design guidelines for dementia care homes have, in recent years, acknowledged the important role the internal environment plays in influencing the functional capabilities and emotional well-being of people with dementia. However, although the majority of people with dementia live in the community, similar guidance does not exist in relation to the outdoor environment. To identify aspects of design that should be considered in making the outside world dementia-friendly an analysis of the literature on the needs of older people with dementia and on current knowledge of best practice for internal environments was carried out. By drawing parallels with the outside environment this paper demonstrates that design solutions do potentially exist which would enable older people with dementia to continue to negotiate and use their local neighbourhoods. Familiarity, legibility, distinctiveness, accessibility, comfort, and safety all appear to have a major influence. Small street blocks with direct, connected routes and good visual access, varied urban form, and architectural features, and distinctive, unambiguous environmental cues could enhance successful orientation and wayfinding. Services and facilities within walking distance with adequate seating, lighting, shelter, and well-maintained, smooth, level, plain paving would ameliorate attending problems of physical frailty. The authors are now empirically testing these initial findings.