Please wait a minute...
Frontiers of Architectural Research

ISSN 2095-2635

ISSN 2095-2643(Online)

CN 10-1024/TU

Postal Subscription Code 80-966

Front. Archit. Res.    2023, Vol. 12 Issue (6) : 1127-1143    https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foar.2023.08.006
RESEARCH ARTICLE
From blocks to cities: Morphology structure rooted in 3D patterns and forming clusters at the block level
Bing Qu1(), Jie Ma2
1. Urban Design Research Center, School of Architecture, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
2. Department of Environmental Design, School of Art & Design, Nanjing University of Finance & Economics, Nanjing 210023, China
 Download: PDF(6056 KB)  
 Export: BibTeX | EndNote | Reference Manager | ProCite | RefWorks
Abstract

This article proposes a 35D form index system to quantitatively describe the 3D form of urban blocks. Utilizing the T-distributed stochastic neighbor (TSNE) embedding algorithm for cluster analysis, the visually complex and disordered urban 3D texture is translated into distinct form clusters, enabling the recognition of the overall urban form structure from the block perspective. The research methodology includes experiments conducted in the central area of Nanjing and comparative analysis in three neighboring cities: Shanghai, Hangzhou, and Suzhou. Results demonstrate the efficacy of form parameters and cluster analysis in achieving sound recognition. The four cities differ remarkably in the number and distribution structure of clusters. Shanghai has the fewest types of clusters with a compact distribution, Suzhou has the most types with a dispersed distribution, and Hangzhou and Nanjing exhibit similar characteristics, located between Shanghai and Suzhou. Correlation analysis reveals a negative relationship between the number of cluster types and the level of urban socioeconomic development in similar areas. This research implies that governments and urban planners can exploit neighborhood morphological types to devise customized spatial management and renewal strategies. The overall urban structure can be improved by strategically minimizing the quantity and distribution of neighborhood morphological types, fostering socioeconomic development.

Keywords Urban morphology      Urban block      Form cluster      Classification      Urban design     
Corresponding Author(s): Bing Qu   
Issue Date: 20 December 2023
 Cite this article:   
Bing Qu,Jie Ma. From blocks to cities: Morphology structure rooted in 3D patterns and forming clusters at the block level[J]. Front. Archit. Res., 2023, 12(6): 1127-1143.
 URL:  
https://academic.hep.com.cn/foar/EN/10.1016/j.foar.2023.08.006
https://academic.hep.com.cn/foar/EN/Y2023/V12/I6/1127
[1] Hao Deng, Meichen Li. The morphological evolution of Chinese urban cemeteries from the perspective of fringe belt: A case study of Nanjing[J]. Front. Archit. Res., 2023, 12(6): 1065-1079.
[2] Yuyang Wang, Andrew Crompton, Asterios Agkathidis. The Hutong neighbourhood grammar: A procedural modelling approach to unravel the rationale of historical Beijing urban structure[J]. Front. Archit. Res., 2023, 12(3): 458-476.
[3] Melis Yazici, Serap Durmus Ozturk. An analysis of Rem Koolhaas’s discourses on architecture and urban design using a corpus-based model[J]. Front. Archit. Res., 2023, 12(2): 222-241.
[4] Yongyu Hu, Yunlong Peng, Zhi Gao, Fusuo Xu. Application of CFD plug-ins integrated into urban and building design platforms for performance simulations: A literature review[J]. Front. Archit. Res., 2023, 12(1): 148-174.
[5] Ji Li, Tianchen Dai, Shengchen Yin, Yiqing Zhao, Deniz Ikiz Kaya, Linchuan Yang. Promoting conservation or change? The UNESCO label of world heritage (re)shaping urban morphology in the Old Town of Lijiang, China[J]. Front. Archit. Res., 2022, 11(6): 1121-1133.
[6] Rui Chen, Miao Xu, Liyuan Zhang, Zhen Yang. The walking friendliness of ladder trails for the elderly: An empirical study in Chongqing[J]. Front. Archit. Res., 2022, 11(5): 830-845.
[7] Zhenya Yu, Hang Dai, Ziying Shi. Structural form-finding of bending components in buildings by using parametric tools and principal stress lines[J]. Front. Archit. Res., 2022, 11(3): 561-573.
[8] Chenyi Cai, Biao Li. Training deep convolution network with synthetic data for architectural morphological prototype classification[J]. Front. Archit. Res., 2021, 10(2): 304-316.
[9] Ebin Horrison Salal Rajan, Lilly Rose Amirtham. Impact of building regulations on the perceived outdoor thermal comfort in the mixed-use neighbourhood of Chennai[J]. Front. Archit. Res., 2021, 10(1): 148-163.
[10] Stavroula Thravalou, Maria Philokyprou. Urban design considerations in the environmental assessment of vernacular buildings with timber projections (sachnisi): The case of Nicosia’s historic center[J]. Front. Archit. Res., 2021, 10(1): 176-189.
[11] Xin Jin, Jianguo Wang. Assessing Linear Urban Landscape from dynamic visual perception based on urban morphology[J]. Front. Archit. Res., 2021, 10(1): 202-219.
[12] Jun Cao, Junkai Zhu, Qingyao Zhang, Ke Wang, Junyan Yang, Qiao Wang. Modeling urban intersection form: Measurements, patterns, and distributions[J]. Front. Archit. Res., 2021, 10(1): 33-49.
[13] Dongqing Han, Yacheng Song, Enqi Wang, Hua Liu, Rong Fang. Multiple dimensions of urban design development from a practice perspective: A case study of an institute in Nanjing[J]. Front. Archit. Res., 2021, 10(1): 79-91.
[14] Xiao Wang, Yacheng Song, Peng Tang. Generative urban design using shape grammar and block morphological analysis[J]. Front. Archit. Res., 2020, 9(4): 914-924.
[15] Long Zhao, Wun Bin Wong, Zulkifli Bin Hanafi. The evolution of George Town’s urban morphology in the Straits of Malacca, late 18th century-early 21st century[J]. Front. Archit. Res., 2019, 8(4): 513-534.
Viewed
Full text


Abstract

Cited

  Shared   
  Discussed