Understanding coherence between functional and Compositional structures of the city: a case study of local centres in Vilnius

Abstract

One of the key goals of the design process is to arrange the main elements of compositional structure. Space syntax as an effective method when dealing with the already defined spatial configuration is widely applied to different urban design projects. The problem addressed in this paper is the “separate” (i.e. “noncombined”) approach to functional and compositional aspects of the formation of urban structure. Functional issues are likely to dominate in both the analysis and design of the physical form of the city. The aim of the paper is to discuss the findings of the case study as a preliminary attempt to develop the understanding of the main features that determine coherence between functional and compositional structures. The study is a part of a broader research effort aimed at determining the basic shape for analysing the interdependence of functional and compositional structures of the city. The scope of the study is to reveal some inconsistencies in the spatial patterns where the distribution of pre-determined functions and urban composition are in a non-corresponding relation. Three local centres in the north-western part of Vilnius are taken as an example to demonstrate a tentative inconsistency map where the structure of urban space is represented both axially and convexly. Using the spatial accessibility model of Vilnius city, the study focuses on spatial structure at the level of urban blocks, which constitute local centres. The linear elements of the model are overlaid on a ground plan where convex spaces are highlighted considering their artistic and visual potential. Choice (betweenness, a measure of centrality) as a critical measure for analysing local centres is used to identify movement related structural patterns. A specific question requiring further investigation is how to measure both movement and artistic potentials taking into account their interrelationship and dependence on visual properties of urban space.