Decoding small-worlds networks in a regional context: unveiling local-local and local-global centrality logics with Space Syntax

Altafini, Diego ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6559-2372, Salardi-Jost, Monique and Cutini, Valerio 2024. Decoding small-worlds networks in a regional context: unveiling local-local and local-global centrality logics with Space Syntax. Presented at: 14th Space Syntax Symposium, Nicosia, Cyprus, 24-28 June, 2024.

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Abstract

In network theory, the “small-worlds” concept draws attention to the logics of local centralities, providing a basis to interpret how the network elements’ connectivity, clustering, and hierarchy inform interactions within systems. In urban analysis, as in Space Syntax, investigating local spatial relationships can provide insight into the emergence and structuring of sub-centralities in urban-regional areas, their local-regional dynamics, patterns of movement and accessibility, plus on the role of configuration in cities’ socio-spatial life. This paper explores how the Space Syntax framework currently informs centralities, demonstrating that different configurational measures – at different radii – can visualize certain centralities’ strata. Moreover, it discusses how those strata may pinpoint the underlying network hierarchies, and if those can give clues about “small-worlds” emergence. Using Rome Metropolitan City (Italy) as a proof-of-concept, this approach objectives are divided into two stages. Primarily, it is addressing the issues in statistical data patterns and their fit to data visualization methods currently used on DepthMapX, that that elude the identification of different sub-centralities’ strata. With technical issues addressed, the patterns of lower-and-higher rank centralities appearance throughout the metropolitan area are analysed; furthermore, the Normalized Angular Degree Centrality measure is introduced as an experiment to decode where “small-worlds” are likely to emerge in urban systems. While discussions are, for now, methodological, speculating how network measures can be incorporated into the Space Syntax framework may unveil the “small-worlds” role in the spaces’ use and spatial appropriation logics, contributing to Space Syntax’ outreach as an instrument for urban decision support systems and decision-making.

Item Type:	Conference or Workshop Item (Paper)
Status:	In Press
Schools:	Architecture
Funders:	This project has received funding from the United Kingdom Research and Innovation Post Doctoral Fellowship Guarantee Scheme, set over the European Union’s Horizon Europe – Marie Skłodowska Curie Actions Post Doctoral Fellowships. UKRI Grant no. 101107846-
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	8 May 2024
Date of Acceptance:	10 April 2024
Last Modified:	31 Aug 2024 01:31
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/168757

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