Using Space Syntax: a Case Study of Urban Parks in the South of Brazil
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Journal of Civil Engineering and Architecture 14 (2020) 609-616 D doi: 10.17265/1934-7359/2020.11.004 DAVID PUBLISHING Post-Occupancy Evaluation (POE) Using Space Syntax: A Case Study of Urban Parks in the South of Brazil Alcindo Neckel1, Laércio Stolfo Maculan1, Anaise Breda1, Daniela Maroni1, Edilaine Cristina Becker1, Isabelle Risson1, Laura Pasa Cambrussi1, Michele Bianchini1 and Julian Grub2 1. Postgraduate Program in Architecture and Urbanism (PPGArq-IMED), Group of Studies and Research on Urban Mobility (NEPMOUR), Passo Fundo/RS, 99070-220, Brazil 2. Postgraduate Program in Architecture and Urbanism (PPG Arq e Urb—UNISINOS), São Leopoldo/RS, 93022-750, Brazil Abstract: This study is based on strategies for reading and representing the environment, associated with the theory of social logic of space (space syntax). The general objective of this study is to understand and compare the use of space syntax in relation to connectivity, integration and choice of axial routes of the urban parks of Porto Alegre, in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, south of Brazil. The method applied was the capture of georeferenced images for data analysis by using the Theory of Space Syntax (TSE). Thus, three variables were considered for interpretation: choice, connectivity and integration, and they were correlated to statistical data on urban morphology. The results demonstrated the possibility of obtaining significant improvements in the studied urban parks due to the need to create guidelines related to connection and integration that directly impact users' choice strategies when they move around the city. Key words: Walkability, choice, connectivity, integration, urban parks, space syntax. 1. Introduction understood as green areas with an ecological, aesthetic and leisure function [4]. The importance of understanding the dynamics of Parks offer the population passive and active forms the environment related to factors that influence the of connection and recreation, making them more relationships of individuals in urban settings [1] is livable spaces, suitable for the health of the urban perceived through field research. Data on a global scale population [5]. They act as regulating agents of the show that more than half of the population lives in microclimate, becoming an indispensable element of urban areas, with an increase estimated at 66% by 2050 the urban landscape [6]. [2]. Due to this population growth, there will be a need The search for hikes and walks through urban for more urban parks for leisure activities, maintenance wooded areas, in addition to benefiting life quality of of urban biodiversity, mitigation of the increase in the population, reduces the environmental impacts urban temperature as an effect of climate change, and caused by the use of vehicles. The positive factors to stimulation of quality of life of the population who live the development of urban spaces, which generate in the cities [2]. factors of urban sustainability, are challenged by the First, it is important to understand that an urban park premise of using urban spaces properly [7, 8]. Thus, it consists of a space for public use intended for the is considered that urban parks need to be analyzed population’s recreation, capable of incorporating forms through walkability in order to design urban projects of conservation [3]. In Brazil, urban parks are aimed at their maintenance and conservation [6, 9-12]. Thus, the relationship between access to a green Corresponding author: Alcindo Neckel, Dr. in geography, area and environmental quality is discussed in an research fields: technology, project and management of the built environment. intrinsic manner, where walks are vital elements for 610 Post-Occupancy Evaluation (POE) Using Space Syntax: A Case Study of Urban Parks in the South of Brazil the sustainable development of urban spaces, region of the state of Rio Grande do Sul (Fig. 1), with significantly improving the quality of life and a coverage area of 495,390 km2 and an estimated decreasing transportation costs [13-15]. It is known population of 1,488,252 inhabitants (2020) [18, 19]. that the urban environment can influence the walking Eight urban parks in Porto Alegre were chosen to behavior due to the presence of green areas in these be studied, as follows: Farroupilha (Redenção); Chico routes, which have the purpose of meeting the Mendes; Gabriel Knjnk; Germania; Mauricio Sirotsky multiple needs of the population [16, 17]. Sobrinho (Harmonia); Marinha do Brasil; Marechal The general objective of this study is to understand Mascarenhas de Moraes; and Moinhos de Ventos and compare the functionality of space syntax in (Parcão). relation to connectivity, integration and choice of axial Marinha do Brasil Park was opened in 1978 and is routes of urban parks in the city of Porto Alegre, in located in Praia de Belas neighborhood. It is known as the state of Rio Grande do Sul, south of Brazil. More a sports park, with a total area of 70.70 hectares, and specifically, mappings, definition of axial traces and several sports courts, a variety of native trees and the analysis of routes used by park users were carried out. presence of fauna with different species. Chico Mendes Park was opened in 1992 and is 2. Method and Materials located in Mário Quintana neighborhood. It has an The city of Porto Alegre is located in the northern area of 25.29 hectares and offers its users squares, courts, Fig. 1 Location of the city of Porto Alegre/RS, Brazil. Post-Occupancy Evaluation (POE) Using Space Syntax: A Case Study of Urban 611 Parks in the South of Brazil and barbecue places as an option of leisure and drawn through the use of polygons based on Google relaxation. It stands out for the presence of vegetation Maps satellite images, and projected coordinate and diversity of fauna. reference system (SRC) SIRGAS 2000/UTM zone 22S. Maurício Sirotsky Sobrinho Park (Harmonia), From the delimited area, paths were drawn; trails were initially known as “the couples’ harbor”, is recognized inserted in the inner perimeter of the parks, forming a for highlighting the population’s cultural traditions. It set of maps with movement patterns, represented by was opened in 1981, has a total area of 17 hectares, and axial lines [21]. is located in Praia de Belas neighborhood, close to Stage II—After mapping the demarcation of the Arroio Dilúvio. studied areas and insertion of axial lines of the paths Farroupilha Park (Redenção) was opened in 1935 existing in the parks for the routes inside the parks, the [20] and is located in Bom Fim neighborhood. It offers information was exported in Drawing Exchange its visitors with a total area of 37.51 hectares. It stands Format (DXF), in Computer Aided Design software out for having water resources, numerous cultural (CAD) for checking the intersection of axial lines. monuments at a dense strip of vegetation, and a great Through the Theory of Space Syntax (TSE), also variety of outdoor spaces and activities. known as Theory of Social Logic of Space, developed Gabriel Knijnik Park, located in Vila Nova by Bill Hillier in London in 1954 at the University of neighborhood, has an area of 11.95 hectares. The park College London [22], axial lines represented the paths has a wetland and several fruit trees. established to track the movement of their users in Marechal Mascarenhas de Moraes Park, located in urban parks in Porto Alegre. To obtain these Humaitá neighborhood, has an area of 18.3 hectares. quantitative data from the Space Syntax analysis, The wetland and planted native vegetation make up DephmapX software was used, followed by the paths and nooks of natural beauty and offer a application of axial analysis through the analysis radius recreational area. variables, namely “radius N”, aiming to cover all axes Moinhos de Vento Park, located in Moinhos de of the system, thus finding the factors of global Vento neighborhood and well-known as Parcão, was interaction [23]. DepthmapX, an open-source and opened in 1972. It covers an area of 11 hectares and multi-platform software, was used to perform a set of houses more than 100 different species of trees. spatial network analyses designed to understand social Germânia Park, located in Jardim Europa processes within the built environment [24]. neighborhood, was opened in 2006. It has Step III—From DepthmapX, the integration values approximately 15.11 hectares of extension, and offers a were calculated from the straight line segment, which leisure and vegetation protection area. was calculated from the integration index for each road axis, and numerically indicates its relative accessibility 2.1 Procedures of This Study in relation to the entire system [24, 25]. Based on this Urban parks need to be studied as their presence in calculation, the most integrated axes within each park urban areas directly impacts the population’s quality of were identified. Among these values, the integration life. They help mitigate climate change provided by index was obtained, which can be converted to a color trees, are a place for doing physical activities outdoors scale that goes from red (most integrated axes of the and having social interaction [6]. Thus, this study system), orange, green, light blue, to dark blue (least applied four methodological stages: integrated axes) [26]. Based on the analysis of the maps, Stage I—Mapping of the perimeters of the studied the integration nuclei were identified. The average parks was carried out, using QGIS software. Paths were depth (AD), which is obtained by adding the depths in 612 Post-Occupancy Evaluation (POE) Using Space Syntax: A Case Study of Urban Parks in the South of Brazil relation to other axial segments, dividing by the their dimensions to the number of existing paths were number of spaces in the system, minus 1 (one), as observed.