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Bill Hillier’s Legacy: Space Syntax—A Synopsis of Basic Concepts, Measures, and Empirical Application

Author

Listed:
  • Claudia Yamu

    (Department of Spatial Planning and Environment, Faculty of Spatial Sciences, University of Groningen, 9747 AD Groningen, The Netherlands)

  • Akkelies van Nes

    (Department of Civil Engineering, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, 5020 Bergen, Norway
    Department of Urbanism, Faculty of Architecture, Delft University of Technology, 2628 CD Delft, The Netherlands)

  • Chiara Garau

    (Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Architecture, University of Cagliari, 09123 Cagliari, Italy)

Abstract

Bill Hillier’s space syntax method and theory enables us to describe the spatial properties of a sustainable city. Empirical testing of the space syntax method over time has confirmed the capacity and innovativeness of analyzing spatial relationships with the purpose of understanding and explaining the socio-spatial organization of built environments. However, the conceptual framework of space syntax elements is scattered around in various academic writings. This article, therefore, gives a holistic and compact overview of the various concepts that are used in space syntax, from its basic elements to various analytical techniques and theories. To achieve this compact overview, we reviewed all space syntax literature accessible since the 1970s for finding core references to various concepts used in space syntax. Following a short description of its foundation and evolution through the work of Bill Hillier, we explain its basic concepts and measures in the form of an extended glossary. Explanations are enriched with various space syntax analyses and scenario testing on various scales that were applied to the city of Rotterdam in the Netherlands. We conclude with a discussion about the advantages and limitations of space syntax and about how this method adds value to the creation of sustainable cities.

Suggested Citation

  • Claudia Yamu & Akkelies van Nes & Chiara Garau, 2021. "Bill Hillier’s Legacy: Space Syntax—A Synopsis of Basic Concepts, Measures, and Empirical Application," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(6), pages 1-25, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:6:p:3394-:d:520160
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. World Commission on Environment and Development,, 1987. "Our Common Future," OUP Catalogue, Oxford University Press, number 9780192820808.
    2. Remco Elric de Koning & Hans Jacob Roald & Akkelies van Nes, 2020. "A Scientific Approach to the Densification Debate in Bergen Centre in Norway," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(21), pages 1-21, November.
    3. Remco de Koning & Wendy Guan Zhen Tan & Akkelies van Nes, 2020. "Assessing Spatial Configurations and Transport Energy Usage for Planning Sustainable Communities," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(19), pages 1-23, October.
    4. Isti Hidayati & Claudia Yamu & Wendy Tan, 2019. "The Emergence of Mobility Inequality in Greater Jakarta, Indonesia: A Socio-Spatial Analysis of Path Dependencies in Transport–Land Use Policies," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(18), pages 1-18, September.
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    Cited by:

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    12. Xiaoxiao Rao & Junda Zhou & Kangle Ding & Jifeng Wang & Jiaqi Fu & Qinghong Zhu, 2022. "Research on the Cultural Tracing of the Patriarchal Clan System of Traditional Buildings in the Eastern Zhejiang Province, China, Based on Space Syntax: The Case Study of Huzhai in Shaoxing," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(12), pages 1-22, June.
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    14. Longlong Zhang & Jingwen Yuan & Chulsoo Kim, 2022. "Sustainable Planning and Design of Ocean City Spatial Forms Based on Space Syntax," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(24), pages 1-20, December.
    15. Ran Li & Liang Mao, 2022. "Spatial Characteristics of Suburban Villages Based on Spatial Syntax," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(21), pages 1-17, October.
    16. Kejie Cen & Xiaoxiao Rao & Zhuoxun Mao & Xiangyong Zheng & Dier Dong, 2023. "A Comparative Study on the Spatial Layout of Hui-Style and Wu-Style Traditional Dwellings and Their Culture Based on Space Syntax," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(16), pages 1-22, August.
    17. Shaobo Zhou & Xiaodong Zang & Junheng Yang & Wanying Chen & Jiahao Li & Shuyi Chen, 2023. "Modelling the Coupling Relationship between Urban Road Spatial Structure and Traffic Flow," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(14), pages 1-17, July.
    18. Zixin Liang & Géza Várady & Márk Balázs Zagorácz, 2023. "Sustainable Application of Automatically Generated Multi-Agent System Model in Urban Renewal," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-22, April.
    19. Elena Cantatore & Dario Esposito & Alberico Sonnessa, 2023. "Mapping the Multi-Vulnerabilities of Outdoor Places to Enhance the Resilience of Historic Urban Districts: The Case of the Apulian Region Exposed to Slow and Rapid-Onset Disasters," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(19), pages 1-28, September.
    20. Akkelies van Nes, 2021. "Spatial Configurations and Walkability Potentials. Measuring Urban Compactness with Space Syntax," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-22, May.
    21. Kestutis Zaleckis & Szymon Chmielewski & Jūratė Kamičaitytė & Indre Grazuleviciute-Vileniske & Halina Lipińska, 2022. "Walkability Compass—A Space Syntax Solution for Comparative Studies," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-25, February.

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