Exploring Connectivity of Urban Networks and Their Influence in Determining Neighborhood Satisfaction, for the City of Rotterdam
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MSc Programme in Urban Management and Development Rotterdam, The Netherlands September 2016 Thesis Title: Exploring Connectivity of Urban networks and their influence in determining Neighborhood Satisfaction, for the city of Rotterdam. Name: Nidhi Vinay Supervisor: Dr Luca D’Acci Co- Supervisor: MSc Marina Salimgareeva Specialization: Urban Competitiveness and Resilience (UCR) UMD 12 MASTER’S PROGRAMME IN URBAN MANAGEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT (October 2015 – September 2016) Exploring Connectivity of Urban networks and their influence in determining Neighborhood Satisfaction, Rotterdam city as a case study. Nidhi Vinay India Supervisor: Dr Luca D’Acci UMD 12 Report number: 909 Rotterdam, September 2016 Exploring connectivity of Urban Networks and their influence on Neighbourhood Satisfaction, for Rotterdam City ii Summary The research aims to analyse the extent to which connectivity of urban networks influences Neighbourhood Satisfaction. To achieve this requires that the two concepts be understood independently. Neighbourhood satisfaction is seen to be an important subset of Quality of Urban life (QOUL), hence the research begins with a brief theoretical explanation of QOUL subsequently narrowing down to exploring neighbourhood satisfaction and the features that constitute it i.e. neighbourhood features. Analysing the scope of neighbourhood features provides a vivid description of their influence on other domains of life, and methods of measuring them. It is further observed that each feature can be assessed through objective and subjective measures and, through theory identified that both forms of measure are significant in determining neighbourhood satisfaction. The second section of the research explores connectivity of urban networks and its effects in shaping urban structure. In reference to theory by professor and urbanist Bill Hillier urban networks has been defined as the physical network of streets, roads and pedestrian walkways, and connectivity of these networks is seen to influence distribution and development of different parts of the city. The scope of this research is to analyse if connectivity of these networks contributes to the quality of neighbourhood development by comparing it with the people’s satisfaction with their neighbourhood. With the help of spatial analysis tools like Space Syntax this section identifies 2 relevant spatial measures that best represent street connectivity. Together with spatial measures and measures of neighbourhood features an ordinary least square analysis is implemented, with dependent variable Y being neighbourhood satisfaction and independent variables being neighbourhood features and two measures of connectivity. The result of this analysis is a reflection of different relationships between these two concepts. The results indicated no significant relationship between connectivity of urban networks and neighbourhood satisfaction. It was surprisingly observed to have a negative effect on the level of neighbourhood satisfaction. However connectivity of urban networks were seen to influence neighbourhood features and satisfaction with neighbourhood features, albeit negatively. Nevertheless this indirect measure was considered to test for mediating effects, but the coefficient of influence indicated weak relationships. The research further observed profound effects from control measures ethnic composition and population density. Keywords Quality of Urban life, Neighbourhood satisfaction, Neighbourhood features, Connectivity of Urban Networks, Urban Morphology, Space Syntax, Street-integration, multiple linear regression. Exploring connectivity of Urban Networks and their influence on Neighbourhood Satisfaction, for Rotterdam City iii Acknowledgements Firstly I would like to thank my Supervisor Dr Luca D’Acci and co supervisor Marina Salimgareeva for their immense support and guidance in developing this thesis proposal. Secondly I would like to thank specialisation heads Dr. Ronald Wall, Monserrat Budding Polo and Dorcas for being the unconditional support throughout the course. I would also like to convey my deepest gratitude to Jaap Rozema, my second reader and mentor for the patience and guidance in answering all my queries and providing me with insightful comments. I am also grateful to Chris de Vries and Rotterdam Wijkprofiel and Roterdam Gemeente for providing me with access to the necessary information that made this research possible, and the patience of listening and answering in detail to many different queries. Alex Levering and Nicolas for guidance with knowledge of tools without which this research would not have been possible. To my parents Vinay Raj and Sudha Mysore with giving me the opportunity and confidence in believing that I can achieve anything. My uncle C P Vinod for being the strength and support of family when pursuing such a rigorous course. And finally my two pillars of strength during this period of study abroad- Hiranmayi Shankavaram and Sneha Gokhale for the endless debates and midnight-odd night, random discussions on the development of this thesis proposal. Exploring connectivity of Urban Networks and their influence on Neighbourhood Satisfaction, for Rotterdam City iv Foreword Exploring connectivity of Urban Networks and their influence on Neighbourhood Satisfaction, for Rotterdam City v Abbreviations IHS Institute for Housing and Urban Development OECD Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development Qol Quality of Life Qoul Quality of Urban Life SCP Smart City Planner SWB Subjective well-being NS Neighbourhood satisfaction NPF Neighbourhood Physical Features NSF Neighbourhood Social Features NEF Satisfaction with neighbourhood Economic Features GIS Geographic information system ISQOLS International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies SS Space syntax Exploring connectivity of Urban Networks and their influence on Neighbourhood Satisfaction, for Rotterdam City vi Table of Contents Summary ................................................................................................................................. iii Keywords ................................................................................................................................ iii Acknowledgements ................................................................................................................. iv Foreword ................................................................................................................................... v Abbreviations .......................................................................................................................... vi Table of Contents ................................................................................................................... vii List of Tables ........................................................................................................................... ix List of Figures ........................................................................................................................... x List of Maps .............................................................................................................................. 1 Chapter 1: Introduction .......................................................................................................... 2 1.1 Background ................................................................................................................................. 2 1.2 Problem Statement ..................................................................................................................... 5 1.3 Research Objective ..................................................................................................................... 6 1.4 Research Question ...................................................................................................................... 6 1.5 Scope and Limitations ................................................................................................................ 7 Chapter 2: Literature Review / Theory ................................................................................. 8 2.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 8 2.2 Quality of life (Qol) and Quality of Urban life (Qoul) ............................................................. 8 2.2.1 Place-based Domains ......................................................................................................................... 10 2.3 Neighbourhood Satisfaction ..................................................................................................... 11 2.3.1 Measuring Neighbourhood Satisfaction ............................................................................................. 12 2.3.3 Methods of evaluation ........................................................................................................................ 14 2.3.5 Similar Studies ................................................................................................................................... 16 2.4 The Influence of Urban structure ........................................................................................... 17 2.4.1 Urban Networks ................................................................................................................................. 19 2.4.2 Measuring Urban Networks ..............................................................................................................