Multilevel Spatial System and Pedestrian Movement: A Study of Large Residential-Commercial Complexes in Hong Kong
Tez Türü: Bütünleşik Doktora
Tezin Yürütüldüğü Kurum: University of Hong Kong, Faculty of Architecture, Department of Architecture, Hong Kong
Tez Danışmanı: Arlen Ye Min
Tezin Onay Tarihi: 2009
Tezin Dili: İngilizce
Desteklendiği Program: Diğer
Özet:
In response to several urban problems such as demand of higher development density, traffic congestion, accessibility in urban core, design of large multilevel urban complex has been adopted as a popular urban development option in many large cities. Grade separated multilevel circulation system is an obvious design strategy for such multilevel urban development, where efficiency of the pedestrian space use seems to play a significant role in the success or failure of such complex. In many instances the multilevel space system has been criticized for being too complex to access and to experience. But whether the spatial pattern of the multilevel space system itself can be given some explicit description and be subjected to functional formulation is a problem which has been hardly tackled by architectural research. Till date little attention has been paid to unveil whether the multilevel spatial configuration has any broad relevance to the patterns of pedestrian space use. To this end, this research investigates the configurational and visual patterns of multilevel space system. It focuses on the role of these spatial dimensions in shaping the patterns of pedestrian movement. The study investigates two large multilevel urban complexes in Hong Kong. The study develops an intergraded movement model that describes the movement patterns in terms of the spatial properties that also include the effects of local urban design parameters. The purpose is to explore if and how far the spatial dimensions of multilevel space system has any broad relevance to the way people use the spaces, and how far these dimensions can also be established as a well-defined problem of multilevel space design. Space syntax theory and methods are the major analytical tools used in the exploration. The results of the study are considered to have important implications for understanding the relationship between multilevel spatial form and function. The integrated movement model developed in this study enables a better understanding of how spatial configuration and visibility impact up on the extent to which pedestrian movement pattern is determined by the local urban design elements. An attempt is made to link the key findings of this research to spatial design. This leads to an exploration of the scope and possibilities in applying space syntax analysis to the evaluation and formulation of multilevel spatial design options themselves.