DESIGNING URBAN DESIGN - METUDSYMP2016 Proceedings

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The integration-n analysis of the town is presented in Figure 5. In this case, average global integration is 8,99 x1011 where the highly integrated areas are mainly located around public buildings on north-east direction. Visual scope widens denoting a shift from central dense areas to wider streets of fringes and thus integration values get higher towards north-east direction. It is clearly revealed in the maps that visual boundaries formed by building blocks affect the integration values. Although the dense organic pattern creates valuable character areas in terms of urban morphology, it may cause segregation of the regions due to the denser housing structure. Although these two methodologies reveal different dimensions of urban areas, they are shared by the concepts of the morphological region and spatial configuration. Streets are essential elements for the identification of regions of high and intermediate rank, and streets alone are the basis for the recognition of high accessibility. The application of the concept of the morphological region provides a number of results related to the historico-geographical structure of the landscape. The result for each street is mainly concerned with its morphogenesis, the plot and building pattern and its position upon those system. As Oliveira (2016) stated, the examination of spatial configuration reveals something that the morphological region studies does not examine: the accessibility of each street within the urban system. It might be expected that higher density of streets, plots and buildings would correspond to a higher accessibility of streets. The data obtained through the application of the two concepts are different from each other that need to be correlated. The purpose of the application is not only descriptions and explanations but also prescriptions where both approaches offer important outputs for urban design. The morphological region facilitates the definition of the rules for the future transformation of the main elements of urban form in urban settings, which directly affect the urban design approaches. On the other hand spatial configuration allows testing of different alternatives for transformation of the street system. These two concepts can be combined in a formulated proposal for the development of the street systems and fragmented spaces on the plan units.

This might open a question on the comparative studies regarding the necessities in urban design practices. 4. CONCLUSION Identification of morphological regions is important in the decision making process of urban design. Moreover, it is essential for urban conservation projects in order to define the potential areas and/or buildings that need to be preserved or changed. The concept of morphological region is not enough to examine all the dimensions of urban spaces as it only deals with the physical structure. At this point, Space Syntax methodology can be integrated with Urban Morphology for a better understanding of the urban areas as it provides a computational dimension to urban morphology by analysing spatial configurations through human movement. On the other hand, it’s difficult to take design decisions by following morphological region analysis especially at the mixed-use areas, as it’s mentioned above. In such a case, Space Syntax helps to reveal integrated and segregated areas which are important for land use proposals regarding privacy or publicity requirements. Within this context, this study proposes an integrated theoretical and methodological approach for understanding and analysing urban areas. By applying this integrated approach, it’s expected to provide more comprehensive design strategies for improving the performance of the built environment which does not depend only on the physical structure but the social and economic structures as well. In the case of Famagusta Old Town, morphological and syntactic data are revealed through the study with the aim of guiding future planning and design projects. The appropriate method should reflect on the past experiences and explore new solutions beyond the existing models.

In urban design, morphological regions help to understand the physical form of the places but within itself, it is not enough to enrich the conclusion. Therefore, the spatial configurations are needed in order to understand the integration values in terms of physical and visual accessibility and to interpret spatial relations together with other findings.

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